Outdoor lighting has to cope with rain, temperature swings and, often, being buried – so it’s treated differently to lighting indoors, both in the equipment used and how the cabling is installed. Here’s what to expect when we plan and install lighting outside your property in Burgess Hill and Mid Sussex.

WEATHERPROOFING (IP RATINGS)

Every outdoor fitting has an IP (Ingress Protection) rating showing how well it’s sealed against dust and water:

• IP44 – sheltered spots, such as under an eave or on a covered porch.
• IP65 – fully exposed to rain, such as wall lights, path lights, and spotlights.
• IP67 / IP68 – submerged or in standing water, such as pond or fountain lighting.

HOW WE RUN THE CABLE

• Cable buried in the garden is armoured (SWA) and laid at a protected depth, with warning tape above it so it’s not disturbed by future digging – see our cable trenching page for more on this.
• Surface-run cable (along a fence line, for example) is clipped in weatherproof, UV-stable conduit rated for outdoor use.
• Every outdoor circuit is RCD protected, with a weatherproof isolator switch fitted so the circuit can be safely isolated for maintenance.

CONTROLLING IT

Options include a simple manual switch, a timer, a dusk-to-dawn photocell, PIR movement sensors for security lighting, or smart/app-based control – we’re happy to talk through what suits how you’ll use the space.

LOW-VOLTAGE GARDEN LIGHTING

For decorative path or planting lighting, a low-voltage (12V) system run from a single outdoor-rated transformer is often a simpler, lower-risk option than extending mains-voltage circuits around the garden, and is worth considering alongside a mains installation.

Powering a garden office, hot tub, or gate at the same time as your lighting? Our cable trenching service covers running a new underground supply to match.

Any questions about this or your job? Call us on 01444 682683 or email info@mlpelectrics.co.uk – we’re happy to talk it through.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the IP ratings on outdoor lights mean?

IP (Ingress Protection) ratings show how well a fitting is sealed against dust and water. As a guide, IP44 suits sheltered spots like under an eave, IP65 suits fittings fully exposed to rain such as wall or path lights, and IP67/68 is for fittings that may be submerged, such as pond lighting.

Is low-voltage garden lighting a good option?

For decorative path or planting lighting, a low-voltage (12V) system run from a single outdoor-rated transformer is often a simpler, lower-risk option than extending mains-voltage circuits around the garden, and it’s worth considering alongside a mains installation.

How do you protect buried cable?

Cable buried in the garden is armoured (SWA) and laid at a protected depth, with warning tape above it so it’s not disturbed by future digging – see our cable trenching page for more detail.

What control options are there for garden lighting?

Options include a simple manual switch, a timer, a dusk-to-dawn photocell, PIR movement sensors for security lighting, or smart/app-based control – we’re happy to talk through what suits how you’ll use the space.