"rear cable entry" outside lights

[Jim K]

What's the correct way to mount a " rear cable entry" outside wall light when the existing cable is surface mounted? Cheers Jim K

[sm_jamieson]

the existing cable is surface mounted?

When I was considering something like this a while ago (I never got round to it) the ideas I mulled on were:

1. Dig out some mortar and loop the cable behind, but whether that is possible depends on the location, size of fitting, bend radius of cable, etc.
2. Mount it on a thin box and make the connection in there (probably not pretty)
3. Cut a side entry hole and fit some type of rubber bush or grommet.

1. I've seen one mounted on two timber battens on the side of a barn which looked crap, but it was on a barn !

2. Move the cable (but that's not what you asked) !

I'm not sure what the "correct" or "standard" way is.

Simon.

[Davey]

I am not a professional, but I did exactly 3 above, and it works, and doesn't look bad.

[newshound]

Most light fittings have a slight "standoff" at the screw holes, just about enough to clear 1 mm T&E. If coming up from below, I'd just add a blob of silicone if plastic, or rubber grommet plus silicone if not.

If wire comes down from above, you don't want it to have any chance of draining water into the light. You could increase the standoff slightly using washers or grommets on the screws, then arrange the feed to have a loop below the inlet hole, then seal as described.

Sometimes worth having a drain hole at the bottom of the light fitting anyway.

[Harry Bloomfield]

newshound laid this down on his screen :

Always worth having a drain hole at the lowest point!

[ARW]

I would not have a problem with any of those suggestions.

[Jim K]

thanks guys

Cheers Jim K

[fred]

In article , Harry Bloomfield writes

Absolutely, plus any sealing should be in an 'unlucky' inverted horseshoe, sealed top and sides but open at the bottom for drainage (what can go wrong will go wrong . . . )