flushmounted driveway lights !!!!

[KevF]

I have had my driveway block paved and had some armoured cable laid to run flush mount 'marker' lights along each side of the drive.

The fittings are listed as IP67 and I am told made to be fitted in damp conditions.

I had a sparky come and fit them and they used Prattley junction boxes to link them all together.

However, after the first rain, they shorted out and when tested, 5 out of the 16 fittings had water in them......

These fittings weren't cheap and I am at present 'negotiating' a discount with the wholesaleer but wondered if anyone has any recommednations for a better fitting and also any tips on mounting and connecting the joints.

[Smiler.]

If the fittings are indeed IP67 & have water in them, then they were incorrectly fitted.

Connections should either be above ground in an appropriately IP rated enclosure (a bit pointless for buried lights), or inside the fitting enclosure.

You will get what you pay for with respect to the lights. You want a long life lamp, LED is probably best, but the quality varies greatly.

I'll dig out some info on some hat I've previously spec'd, but 'm not in the office until Friday.

[Brite spark]

unless the joint boxes have leaked I wouldn't worry about them, they should be ip rated like the lights, though all cable entries would have to be suitably done to maintain the ip rating. Joint boxes can be resin filled if you think it will be a problem, although this abviously causes problems in the future if you need to get into them.

have a look through a thorn or phillips catalogue,(or online) as they should have something suitable.

I'm assuming the original lights were properly installed and sealed?

[mickk]

Good quality IP67 rated fittings normally come with a flex attached so the entry is sealed perfectly, so i expect the damp has got in through the glass cover

[KevF]

Thanks for the input so far.

The fittings have a small rubber gasket under the glass panel. The cable exits the base of the fitting an then into (in this case) the Prattley junction box. The sparky said the damp was travelling up the cable and then getting into the fitting that way.

At £27 a unit, I didnt think Id have any issues and especially didnt think I'd have to think about laying a bead of silicone unde the glass panel.

I have no problem with taking the whole lot of the lights to the wholesalers and getting money back and buying something better and fit for purpose.

Any link to the resin supply would be of help too...


Cheers

Kev

ps. If anyone is in the Norfolk area who can help more then I would be grateful.

[PH5121]

They do sound cheap at £27. Where they small diameter low voltage or LED lights, as often used in decked areas?

I have an Electric Center catalogue, and they sell some 230v 13w IP67 stainless steel ground lights, they are £77 and are the drive over type, able to withstand 1.5 tons and are about 5 inch in diameter. I don't know if you would be able to get any discount if you are not a trade account holder. You could have a look at their website, www.electric-center.co.uk for details.

For the resin to fill the joint boxes you could use the polyurethane resin that electrical wholesalers sell for use in armoured cable jointing kits.

[mrsxllifts]

TLC electrical whilesalers do driveover lights for about £30 each. Not sure what they are like but its worth a look on their website. They will sell on 'cash' accounts too!