Correct Cable Junctions for Exterior & Landscape Lighting Installations
Outdoor lighting installations are frequently carried out incorrectly which inevitably leads to premature luminaire failure, widespread problems and expensive remedial work.
Electrical tape or heat-shrink is not acceptable
Use suitable Junction boxes at all times
The use of any type of electrical tape or heat-shrink in outdoor wiring connections is not acceptable under any circumstances. These methods do not provide adequate long term integrity for areas where moisture is present. Only a suitable junction box, with properly terminated glands is acceptable.
All cable (or conduit if used) connections and joins must be completed within suitably appropriate 3-way junction boxes using IP68 cable glands or adaptors. Either a round cable or round conduit must fully terminate into the junction box. An example of a suitable junction box is the Superlight SL3003 shown in Fig 2. (optional installation accessory is available separately by request) Underground junction boxes should be internally filled using a suitable epoxy resin to fully encapsulate all cable joints.
Metal cabinet or enclosure for control gear
Control gear such as LED drivers, controllers should be neatly installed inside a metal electrical cabinet or dedicated metal enclosure. LED drivers or controllers should not be fitted inside any type of plastic enclosure as plastic does not provide appropriate thermal management.
Flat cables are not acceptable
A flat cable on its own cannot be professionally terminated into a glanded junction box as required.
Flat cable (including the use of figure-8 style cable) is unsuitable for outdoor installations unless it is used inside a round conduit which is then wholly terminated into to the junction box.
Fig 2. SL3003 Junction Box
Powered by FlippingBook