FAQs
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1) What are outdoor sockets?
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An outdoor socket is a convenient way to safely run electricity in outside areas. Perfect for running electric equipment or leisure equipment in your garden. External sockets need a minimum rating of IP56, so even when your jet-washing the decking, they'll stay watertight and protected.
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2) What rating are outdoor sockets?
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The IP rating of socket-outlets used outdoors depends upon the external influence on which the socket-outlets are being subject to. Generally, ratings of IP56 or IP66 would suffice for most instances.
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3) Are outdoor sockets safe?
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According to the National Electric Code, you can only have ground fault circuit interrupter outlets installed outdoors. These outlets have special sensors that will cut the power if they detect even small changes in electric currents, making them safer than other types of outlets.
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4) What cable do you need?
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4. The choice of cable running to the exterior socket should be, as a minimum, 2.5mm2 twin and earth housed in conduit, which could be the mini trunking type or a round design. Another method, especially suitable if the run of cable can in any way be accidentally damaged by garden equipment including spades, shovels or forks, requires that the cable should be steel wire armoured (SWA).
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5) Is there anything you cannot plug into an outdoor socket?
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Outdoor sockets work in the same way as indoor sockets. This means you can use them from any electrical device that you can plugin.
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5) Is there anything you cannot plug into an outdoor socket?
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You can wire an external socket in the same manner as a normal spur, by running the cable from a socket or junction box on a main ring circuit (via a switched connection unit) and mounting the socket on an external wall. Ensure your circuit has RCD protection, and that you use appropriate weatherproof outdoor fittings.
