Choosing fittings
- Use lights made for outdoor use. Check the IP rating: the second number shows protection against water, and the right level depends on where the light goes (sheltered wall, open garden or near a pond).
- Low-voltage and solar lights reduce risk, but low-voltage systems still need a suitable transformer, installed correctly.
- Buy from reputable retailers: Electrical Safety First has advice on outdoor lighting.
Wiring outside
Mains-powered outdoor lights and sockets need RCD protection, suitable cable (often armoured or protected where it's buried) and weatherproof connections, all to BS 7671. A new outdoor circuit is notifiable building work under Part P, so it must be certified by a registered installer or approved by building control.
Don't run indoor extension leads outside permanently, and never use outdoor electrics with wet hands. Before digging, think about where cables might be buried. If an outdoor light or socket keeps tripping the RCD, stop using it and get it checked.
Powering a shed or garden room? See garden power.
- Installing new mains outdoor lights or sockets
- Lights that trip the RCD, flicker or have water inside
- Old outdoor fittings with cracked covers or perished cable
Sources and further reading
- Electrical Safety First – Outdoor lighting
- Electrical Safety First – Garden safety
- IET – BS 7671 Wiring Regulations
- GOV.UK – Approved Document P (electrical safety in dwellings)
General guidance only, based on the sources above. Last reviewed October 2026. It isn't a substitute for an inspection by a qualified electrician.