Please help - 2 core to 3 core advice

ezzo4444 · Post by **ezzo4444** » Sat Aug 21, 2021 2:33 pm

Hi everyone, this is my first post. I am a newbie. I have some plug-n-go garden lights from Wickes. The lead from the transformer is not long enough to reach the plug so I have some wire (twin and earth) and I want to connect the 2 using a plastic junction box.

When I cut the plug off the transformer it only shows a live and a neutral but my other wire has an earth.

Can I just connect them and put the earth into a blank part of the junction box? I have attached an image, hope you all can help and thanks in advence.
Ezzo

: wires-min.jpg (39.94 KiB) Viewed 1389 times

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Sat Aug 21, 2021 3:12 pm

Sorry to point this out, but Twin and Earth is the wrong cable, you need to have twin flex. You also need to have a box to put the choc bloc in, oh, and you can't use choc bloc outside unless its in a weather proof box, inside no problem.

ezzo4444 · Post by **ezzo4444** » Sat Aug 21, 2021 4:19 pm

Hi, thanks everyone. So I just got back from B&Q and was overwhelmed by the sea of wires that faces me! (I am a newbie) There was 1.5mm, 2.5mm flex cable, outdoor cable, indoor, heat resistant, emersion heater wire arrhhhhh. I left with nothing and I'm now back home on here asking advice again lol.

So one end of this wire will have a standard plug fitted and will go into the outdoor waterproof plug socket, and the other end will go into the connector block with the earth going to a 'blank' in the connector block as in the picture in the first post.

Everything will be waterproofed. Can someone please treat me like the clueless newbie that I am and tell me the exact wire I need please including the mm size and shape etc. A link to a product would be ideal!

Thank again everyone :)

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Sat Aug 21, 2021 5:16 pm

I was going to say you are going to want
These
This
This

Then I thought why not put the plug back on and buy This

aeromech3 · Post by **aeromech3** » Sat Aug 21, 2021 6:08 pm

Someone-Else wrote: ↑Sat Aug 21, 2021 5:16 pmThen I thought why not put the plug back on and buy This

.

Perhaps with this explanation on regulations: all mains cables running outside and not just as an extension reel to run the lawn mower, should be armoured, with the exception of the final 2m of rubber cable to the fitting which is likely the way Wicks sold this item. Alternatively, it must be installed inside armoured conduit, also, cable based at ground level should be buried at least 0.5m below ground in order to avoid damage to the cable causing a serious accident or at least nuisance RCD trips.
Ironically the Power distribution mains cable from the main road to my meter box is simply buried.

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Sat Aug 21, 2021 6:26 pm

aeromech3 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 21, 2021 6:08 pm Perhaps with this explanation on regulations:

You would be right if it not for one thing.

The cable I linked to is NOT mains, it is for the 12v side.

aeromech3 · Post by **aeromech3** » Sat Aug 21, 2021 6:38 pm

I knew that S-E but the Op might have wondered why you suggested that cable and because he is a newbie might have thought this was good for the mains side!

Neelix · Post by **Neelix** » Sat Aug 21, 2021 6:51 pm

You need an inline ip67 or 68 connector

kellys_eye · Post by **kellys_eye** » Sat Aug 21, 2021 9:20 pm

Cut to the chase and get this:

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/9094653 ... ead:6:38:1

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Sat Aug 21, 2021 10:23 pm

ezzo4444, to clarify, if you need to extend the supply for your lights you can extend either the mains side or the 12v side.
The mains side can be extended in a variety of ways, as suggested by me, or kellys_eye.
The cheaper and easier option is to extend the 12v side by using a lead made for your set of lights, sold by wickes, which is where you got the lights from.

The choice is yours.