We're lucky here in Australia—we lead an outdoor life. Long evenings on the deck, weekend BBQs with friends and family, and gardening days spent preparing the backyard for summer.
Whether you're setting up lights on your deck, using electricity for garden tools or running an extension cord for a backyard party, electrical safety is crucial, even when your gear is built for the outdoors.
Rain, humidity and dew can wreak havoc on electrical connections, so here are our top tips to keep your power supply safe and working reliably.
Why Outdoor Power Safety Matters
Ensuring your outdoor lighting is safe from the elements is crucial to preventing injuries like electric shocks and keeping your lights functioning correctly.
From rain and humidity to strong winds, many elements can challenge even the most durable electrical equipment. That's why it’s important to choose high-quality, weatherproof products that are rated for outdoor use.
Some common issues with outdoor electrical use include:
- Weather damage from rain and sunlight degrading fittings and leading to water ingress and short circuits.
- Loose, damaged or exposed wires that lead to sparking, fire hazards or electrical shocks.
- Overloading circuits with multiple extension cords or using too many appliances for the cord's capacity.
What Are IP Ratings and Why Do They Matter?
Outdoor electrical products like lighting fixtures have IP ratings. This refers to the level of protection against dust and water ingress. IP ratings are two-digit codes. The first digit shows the level of protection from solid objects like dust—0 is no protection and 6 means it's airtight. The second digit is the level of protection from liquids, ranging from 0 (no protection) to 8 (protection against prolonged submersion).
How To Use Outdoor Extension Cords Safely
Extension cords should only be a temporary solution for outdoor power and should not be used permanently. Choosing the right extension cord for the job is crucial. Outdoor models are generally thicker and have waterproof connectors. Low gauge extension cords have a thicker, larger wire that makes them suitable for higher currents and power loads (for power tools like electric hedge trimmers, for example).
Always check how much power you need to safely operate things like power tools and choose an outdoor extension cord to cope with the electric current.
Safety Tips for Outdoor Extension Cords
- Avoid overloading or connecting multiple extension cords together. This is known as daisy chaining, and it is considered very dangerous. Use longer cords where necessary.
- Ensure extension cords are not used or stored near heat sources like fire pits or fireplaces, sitting in wet areas like puddles or ponds or exposed to direct sunlight for long periods.
- Regular maintenance is essential. Before using an outdoor extension cord that's been stored, check for electrical hazards like loose connections, and frayed or fragile wires before you plug them in. When storing, keep them in a dry location and don't wrap them too tightly.
Installing Outdoor Power to Protect Against Potential Hazards
You must always use a licensed, qualified electrician to install outdoor power sources, and they must adhere to all local regulations, including safety switch standards, mounting heights and weatherproofing requirements.
The exception is low-voltage power sources, such as those used for landscape lighting. Here at Fusion Lighting, we recommend horizontal installation so that the label remains visible and water can run off the sides.
Safety switches help prevent electric shocks in wet conditions, so your home must be fitted with these. These are sometimes known as ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI outlets) or residual current devices.
In all areas that might be exposed to the elements, including decks and patios, outdoor outlets should be installed. Their special weatherproof covers protect electrical connections in severe conditions, from sideways rain to freezing temperatures.
When installing outdoor power, your electrician will need to adhere to spacing and height standards for outdoor points and ensure that the conduit and cables are protected. All exposed electrics must be protected with a conduit to shield it from accidental damage and weather. Strict underground wiring guidelines and earthing and bonding requirements must also be followed.
Why Low-Voltage Lighting is a Great Solution for Outdoor Use
Low-voltage lighting is a great solution for outdoors because it's safe and easy to install.
At Fusion Lighting, our garden lights connect to a transformer that plugs into a standard outdoor outlet. This allows for easy DIY installation, without the need for an electrician. This also means they provide consistent performance regardless of the weather conditions and they use less energy.
Our super-tough, low-voltage cable doesn’t need to be buried deep like 240V. You can dig a shallow trench to hide the cable or leave it on the surface. Best of all, our power supplies are also designed to be left in place permanently, with high IP ratings to protect them from the elements. For the best performance, install horizontally so that water runs off easily and the label stays visible.
For more information on outdoor lighting solutions for your home or business, visit our website to see our full range of outdoor lighting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave an extension cord outside permanently?
Extension cords are not designed for permanent use outside. Even if it's rated for outdoor use, an extension cord can easily become damaged and increase the risk of electrical faults.
How do I know if an extension cord is safe to use outside?
If an extension cord is outdoor rated, it will have a 'W' printed on the cord itself or its packaging. An outdoor extension cord provides extra protection because it has thicker insulation to withstand moisture and damage.
How to keep outdoor plugs from getting wet?
To keep outdoor plugs dry, your electrician should install outlets with weatherproof covers.
Do weatherproof outlets keep the rain out with something plugged in?
Weatherproof outlets are safe to use in the rain but you must ensure that the plug and cord are also waterproof or have a waterproof cap.
Can I use an extension cord in the rain?
You should only use an extension cord outside if it's specifically designed for that purpose with waterproof plugs and connectors.
