Question about installing a new light bulb circuit

funnysht on 26/06/2020 - 18:28
Last edited 26/06/2020 - 18:29

Hi guys

I have a garden shed at the back and would like to install a light and switch in the garden and connect it to an existing light bulb circuit outside the house.
Please have a look at the ms paint diagram
Is there some sort of device that (some qualified) can use to do this- is it possible?

https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/143535/80882/a.png
Brief description: Already have a light installed outside to the house with switch. Can i piggy back the 'new light' attach it to the old light with some sort of connector, and connect it also to the new switch, without the handyman having to go into the roof etc?

Thanks

Home & Garden

Comments

  • tight-ass on 26/06/2020 - 18:32
    +2

    I can see this ending badly. Call an electrician!

    • funnysht on 26/06/2020 - 18:33

      i mean to but would like to see if it is possible without going into the roof, and just taking apart the existing light

  • whooah1979 on 26/06/2020 - 18:33
    +1

    https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/143535/80882/a.png

    Hmmm. What am I looking at?

    • funnysht on 26/06/2020 - 18:35

      the right is the existing light bulb and switch that's just on the patio roof. I would like the new switch and light bulb connected to this old circuit without having to go up in the roof (i.e just taking apart the patio light bulb/switch without going into the roof )

    • John Kimble on 26/06/2020 - 20:46
      +1

      He wants to put a new light into a tunnel (or a hairy anus)? 🤷‍♂️

  • No Username on 26/06/2020 - 18:47

    Yes it is possible not sure if its legal though. It depends on what light bulb you are using, what the capacity of the RCD is rated at as well as MCB.
    Also do you still plan on using the old light source?

    • whooah1979 on 26/06/2020 - 18:50

      Bunnings sells >8A. Swapping them out is as simple as a youtube video.

      • No Username on 26/06/2020 - 18:56

        OP drawing is confusing. Is the light attached to the home or is it a decorative pole light and Does op want to still use the existing light? In terms of the adapters, is the intention to attach the positive and negative to the adapter then screw it into the base? If so isn't that dangerous to have cables hanging out? It would have to be done underground in a conduit.

        • funnysht on 26/06/2020 - 19:26

          the old light swithc and old light is attached to the patio roof. Yes want to use the existing light and also the new light.

  • AdosHouse on 26/06/2020 - 18:58

    You can simply plug the wiring into the positive and neutral of the existing switch, using the switch cable plugs as a joiner. But get a sparky to do it to make it legal.

    • funnysht on 26/06/2020 - 19:26

      but wouldnt that turn on both lights at the same time, or i need to turn on the old light to turn on the new light?

      • AdosHouse on 27/06/2020 - 01:18

        No you run the cables from the other switch to the new switch, then to the new light. Niether switch will turn the other bulb on. You are merely supplying mains power to both switches.

        • pjetson on 27/06/2020 - 15:41

          Only if the OP's lights are wired the "old" way. If they're wired the "new" way, there is no neutral at the light switch so you can't tap off power at the switch.

  • SnoozeAndLose on 26/06/2020 - 19:09
    -1

    Cheapest option is use an extension cable

  • Nugs on 26/06/2020 - 19:37

    How much light do you desire? If just low level so you don't trip over stuff, might you consider a battery driven light?
    Example with a switch;
    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Solar-Powered-8-LED-Shed-Light-W…
    .

    • funnysht on 26/06/2020 - 19:58

      looks nice,,but already bought a light

  • apsilon on 26/06/2020 - 19:39
    +3

    Solar charged shed light would be cheap and easy.

  • pjetson on 26/06/2020 - 20:06
    +3

    Is the garden shed a free-standing building and not attached to the house? Your MS Paint submission wasn't detailed enought for me to tell. If it is free-standing, how do you intend to get the wires from the house to the garden shed? This seems to me to be the biggest problem - there are all sorts of rules and regulations so that this is done safely. You can't just use something like an extension cable for the connection, and there are very specific rules for overhead lines or underground lines. It will be very obvious to anyone with electrical knowledge that an amateur has done this job, and anything that you do yourself will very likely be dangerous.

    Also, you talk about connecting the shed light to the existing house light circuit. Is this so that you can turn both off with the house light switch? Or do you just think that because the house light is close to the shed, that it's the best place to connect to the shed light to? Depending on how old your house is, the right connections may or may not be available at the house light socket. However, it doesn't appear that you have sufficient electrical knowledge to be able to tell. In fact, I think that the questions that you're asking pretty well prove that this is not a suitable or safe DIY job for you or a "handyman".

    Why do you want a light on your shed anyway? Would a solar-powered low voltage LED garden lamp from somewhere like Bunnings or Aldi work for you? No mains wiring would be needed, and they can be easily installed by almost anyone. Often, these lights can be manually turned on and off, or turned on automatically by motion detection after dark.

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