Installing electric wires is a crucial job, particularly in the outdoors where it becomes more sensitive. From weather hazards and debris attacks to many other hazards, the risks outside are several.
So, while doing the job, you must first pay attention to safety. You need to protect the electric wires as also yourself. Moreover, you also need to take safety measures to safeguard the surrounding since an electrical hazard may harm others, too.
How to Install Electrical Wires in Outdoor Areas: Steps to Follow
Whether it is a light fixture in the garden or wires beside the gate, incorrect installation can be fatal. Hence, you need to pay special attention to safety. The steps professionals follow when installing electrical wires are as follows:
Step 1: Plan your Installations first. Check the conductors’ sizes, need for overhead support, etc.
Step 2: Obtain the necessary permits and know the local regulations.
Step 3: Take all possible safety measures.
Step 4: Ascertain which wiring method is most suitable. It can be burial, aerial, or others.
Step 5: Install the wires accordingly.
For burial cases, professionals decide the depth of the ground and bury the wires accordingly. However, they may have to check the permittable height and other factors for aerial installation.
Safety Tips for Installing Outdoor Electrical Wires
Whether you bury the cables or place them externally, you must remember specific safety regulations and methods, which are as follows:.
Wear protective gear:
First, you have to keep yourself safe from any unwanted debris or sparks caused by the wiring. So, wearing safety goggles, gloves, and other protective clothing is a must.
Inspect the worksite beforehand:
You should not work near any power utility cables. If it is inevitable, make sure you don’t use a ladder. Any accidental connection between the ladder and cables can result in a heavy flow of current and may lead to a near-death situation.
Avoid working during downpours:
Rainwater contains salts and minerals that increase conductivity. So, make sure that the working area is dry, and that there is no rainwater present there.
Switch off the circuit breakers:
Before you begin work, turn off the circuit breakers of all outlets and fixtures in the main panel. Remove the fuse if the installation is too old.
Test the circuit:
Always test the circuits before installing the wires. Otherwise, you may have to leave work halfway due to electrical issues.
Select the right tools:
Make sure that the tools you choose for your work are safe and suitable for your task. Screwdrivers, voltage testers, ladders, etc., must be in good and full working condition to avoid hazards.
Use extension cords:
You may have to use extension cords always while installing outdoor electrical wirings. Tools used outside can often draw close to 15 amps. Any small cord may heat up the motors creating an excess voltage drop along the line. Hence, special extension cords are needed.
Use GFCI apparatus when required:
A GFCI or Ground Fault Circuit Interpreter is always required for exterior outlets. After all, they are near the pools, water areas, etc. Also, they are exposed to rain and snow. So, water from infiltration or otherwise could cause an electric shock.
Some more safety tips for buried wires:
- Bury the wires deep into the ground to avoid any disturbance.
- If you can’t bury them deeply, lay them in a buffer sand layer and cover them with warning tape.
- If tree roots or other obstacles don’t allow you to bury the wires, place plastic ducts or conduits around the wires.
Ensure Easy Accessibility in the Future:
Besides paying attention to safety, you should also consider the future accessibility of the wires. Especially for outdoor light units, this is a critical requirement. Otherwise, when you try to access them in the future, it may cause trouble and all the safety measures taken will be in vain.
You can do a few things to access the wires easily. For example, you can leave extra wire within the base of recessed ground items to allow unrestricted access.
Final Words
Installing outdoor electrical wiring is a task that requires proper knowledge, technique, and practice. Hence, the right person reduces the risks of any hazard in such tasks. So, call a professional electrician whenever you need to install, alter, or repair outdoor electrical wiring. Buying quality wires also ensures safety to a great extent. Check the collection of electrical wires at L&T-SuFin, one of India’s largest online platforms for industrial products. The blogs and articles on the subject published on the site will, moreover, help you learn more about external electrical wiring and in making the right choice when buying them.