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Installing outdoor lighting is not something to be taken lightly. Before making your choice, you need to consider a number of factors, such as the luminaire's aesthetic appeal and its wattage, but above all you need to take into account the standards to be met. Yes, all outdoor electrical installations must comply with specific regulations that you should be aware of before starting any work. So, what do the standards say? What precautions need to be taken to ensure safe outdoor lighting? We take a closer look in this article.
Outdoor lighting: the specifics of standard NF C 15-100
The main rules to observe
If you're planning to light your garden orilluminate your terrace, you can't ignore the NF C 15-100 standard. This is a French standard that regulates low-voltage electrical installations. It sets out the rules to be respected to ensure the safety of your electrical installation, the equipment used and people. For example, NF C 15-100 requires that each light fitting be connected to the switchboard via a circuit-breaker-type protection module. But this is not the only requirement of this standard, which also imposes :
- Install a 30mA differential switch in the main switchboard. It can also be installed in a secondary panel connected to the phase, neutral and earth terminals of the main panel. This differential switch has the advantage of cutting off the current as soon as an overload, short-circuit or problem occurs.
- Use luminaires suitable for outdoor use, i.e. with sufficient IP rating.
- Each external circuit not connected to a luminaire is connected to a junction box. The junction box may or may not be fitted with a DCL base or DCL cover.
- The creation of specialized circuits for all external power supplies not attached to the building, such as electric gates.
- Position outdoor outlets at least one meter above the ground.
- The installation of a lighting point for each entrance to the home, controlled by a switch or presence detectors.
Accessibility rules for the disabled
The NF C 15-100 standard has thought of everything and everyone, since it also includes measures for people with disabilities or reduced mobility. These measures stipulate, for example, that :
- Exterior lighting must emit a minimum of 20 lux at all points of travel.
- Control devices must be fitted with an indicator light and installed at a height of between 0.90 and 1.30 meters from the ground. They must also be positioned more than 0.40 m from a re-entrant corner.
Outdoor lighting: focus on the IP standard
What is the IP standard?
As previously mentioned, to create your lighting, you need to choose a fixture that is suitable for outdoor use. To do this, you need to check its resistance. Outdoor lamps are rarely sheltered. They are exposed not only to cold, frost and rain, but also to water splashes from sprinklers, trampling by children and sometimes even passing vehicles. To guarantee personal safety and the longevity of your installation, you need to rely on the IP rating and protection index of your outdoor lamp.
The IP standard measures the degree of waterproofness of your lighting. The protection index represents the luminaire's resistance to water and dust. This is an international standard that is indicated on the packaging of every luminaire. You can't miss it! Easy to understand, this index is made up of two numbers: the first indicates the luminaire's resistance to penetration by solid objects. It ranges from 1 to 6. The second corresponds to water. It indicates the luminaire's impermeability to liquids and ranges from 1 to 9.
Which IP to choose for safe outdoor lighting?
First of all, the minimum rating recommended for outdoor use is IP 44. We advise you to opt for higher ratings," says Christophe Coelho, "especially if you're going to use them around a swimming pool, for example. IP 68 would be more suitable. If you want to install underground spotlights, choose luminaires with an IP rating of at least 67". As water and electricity have never been good bedfellows, here are the IP details to guide you further:
- IP 23: protects the luminaire from light water splashes. You can opt for this rating only if your luminaire is placed under shelter.
- IP 44: perfect protection against splashing water.
- IP 55: the luminaire is protected against dust and water jets from all directions.
- IP 65: the luminaire is protected from direct splashes of water.
- IP 67: guarantees temporary immersion-proofness.
- IP 68: this is the IP rating of choice for luminaires installed in swimming pools or ponds, since it guarantees watertightness against permanent immersion.
Good to know: Lumihome has developed a range of easy-to-install 12V luminaires, with specific connectors and the Easy Fix screwing system. They make installation easy, and spare you the waterproofing and safety worries that come with it.
Special features of underground installation
To connect an outdoor electrical system, underground installation is often the preferred choice. For safety reasons, it must also comply with very specific rules:
- Cables fitted with a watertight sheath and steel wire armouring can be laid directly in the ground. Cables without steel wire armouring, on the other hand, must first be installed in TPC conduit. If the diameter is less than 40 mm, you can also use ICTA or ICTL conduits.
- In the case of a garden, cables must be buried 50 cm below the surface. If the land is suitable for vehicles, they should be installed 85 cm below the surface.
- The various conductors must be located at a sufficient distance from other pipes (e.g. water and gas). This distance must be at least 20 cm. If you're not using red TPC conduits, then you'll need to install a red warning grid above your buried pipes.
Outdoor electrical installation can't be improvised. There are many points to check and observe, for your safety and the longevity of your installation. Don't hesitate to call in a professional if you have any doubts.
