How to Fit an Outdoor Security Light

Security lights are an excellent choice for keeping your site safe and secure during the darker winter months. A bright driveway or porch can be a great welcome to visitors and at the same time, deter potential intruders. 

These lights come in different designs and functionalities, which require distinct tools and equipment to install. In this guide, you'll find detailed instructions to fit an outdoor security light. We also talk about lighting options and how to choose the most suitable model for your needs. 

Types of Outdoor Security Lights 

It’s not hard to spot security lights when you drive past houses in the UK. They're mainly fixed and wall-mounted models, installed for the garage, driveway, or garden. However, there are also portable options in the market with the same functionality and more flexibility.  

Wall-Mounted Security Lights 

This type of lighting requires permanent installation on walls or the building exterior. They also work as a decoration for your house with different designs, such as lantern-style security lights. The materials used can vary from stainless steel to aluminium and polycarbonate bodies.  

For wall-mounted fixed lighting, the installation process is more complicated with more drilling and cable connections involved. Thus, they are often chosen by households for domestic use.  

Portable and Temporary Lighting 

There is another option if you're reluctant to make a permanent change to your house or simply want more security on a temporary worksite. Portable security lights are often used in renovation projects or rented properties. Some examples of temporary lighting solutions are magnetic floodlights or tripod light towers.  

Not only are they great for security purposes, these floodlights are also useful for industrial or DIY projects. With the portable design, you can easily place them outdoors for security or in dark corners of the house. They're battery-powered or can be plugged in, meaning you don't need to worry about wiring or manually connecting to the electric system.

They have a durable and rugged design that makes them work efficiently, just like wall-mounted models. Since they're portable, fitting these floodlights and removing them afterwards is also easy to do.  

Check out Floodlights at Speedy

Choosing the Right Security Lights 

You might be overwhelmed by the vast array of options available. To choose a suitable lighting unit, consider the following criteria: 

• Brightness and coverage level based on lumens and light spread angle 
• Functionality such as a manual control switch or Passive Infrared (PIR) motion sensors 
• Power source, whether it’s a mains supply, battery, or solar powered
• IP rating (IP44 is suitable for indoor or sheltered outdoor areas, while IP65 is designed for exposed outdoor environments) 
• Safety features
• Installation difficulty

Step-by-Step Guide to Fit an Outdoor Security Light 

In this section, we'll run through a step-by-step guide on how you can fit your security lights based on the type of lighting. 

Wall-Mounted Security Lights 

For fixed models, you need a permanent installation of your security lights. Here are the tools you might need: 

• Drill
• Wall plugs and screws 
• Screwdriver
• Plastic conduit   
• Silicone sealant 
• Voltage Tester 
• Cable Detector or Wall Scanner

Step 1: Turn off the Main Power Supply 

Before starting to fit an outdoor security light, you should always ensure a safe working environment. To do this, turn off the power at the mains and use a voltage tester to avoid electrical incidents. We recommend wearing PPE (ear and eye protection and work gloves) and following the safety instructions provided by the supplier.  

In almost all cases, you'll also need a secure ladder to reach high positions on walls or exterior parts of the building. Choose a stable, high-quality step ladder with flexible heights from Speedy now! 

Step 2: Mark the Mounting Position 

Quickly survey the area and decide where to put the security lights.  

• For domestic use, extra lighting is often located near doors or in dark corners, pointing out to driveways and garages.  
• For DIY or industrial constructions, you can place them in the entrance, blind spots or high-traffic zones.  

Wherever you choose, make sure to avoid blocking or putting them too close to other objects. Many units use motion sensors to conserve energy and only turn on when required. If you plan to use one of these models, you need to define the appropriate height and ensure the sensor faces the area with the most potential movement.

A correct placement will give you full coverage of the area. To be more precise, use a pen or marker to locate where to drill for the bracket and cable installation.

Step 3: Drilling Holes for Cable 

Before drilling into your wall, you should always check the system of electric wiring, pipe, or gas line inside the wall. A wall scanner is an effective equipment to identify live electrical wires behind walls and prevent drilling into power cables.

After that, use a powerful drill to make a hole for a light cable. Install a plastic conduit for protection and feed the cable through.  

Step 4: Mounted the Security Light Unit 

At the marked location, use a powerful drill to make holes for the light bracket. After that, insert the plugs to secure the mounting bracket. Depending on your wall type (concrete or brick), choose the suitable drill and wall plugs. 

You can then secure the light into the bracket with the correct angle. A silicone sealant can be added to the base to prevent water ingress from outdoor environments. 

Step 5: Connect the Outdoor Light Cable with the Electrical Supply Cable 

Inside the house, you need to connect the light cable to the electrical supply cable. The supply cable typically contains three wires. 

• Live (brown) 
• Neutral (blue) 
• Earth (green/yellow) 

Match them with the corresponding wires from the lighting cable (flex cores). Using strip connectors, you can insert each wire into its matching terminals and tighten the screws for a firm connection. After that, wrap the connector and exposed wire ends with PVC electrical tape for safety. 

Step 6: Run the Supply Cable 

After being connected, the cable needs to be routed to a junction box. Then cut into the existing lighting circuit cable at the chosen location. Use a four-terminal junction box to make the connections: 

• One terminal for the incoming power from the main circuit. 
• One for the outgoing power to continue the circuit. 
• One for the new cable going to the outdoor light. 
• One for the switch cable. 

Step 7: Install a Switch 

After connecting the power supply, the next step is to install a switch indoors to control the outdoor light. Run a length of 1mm² two-core-and-earth cable from the switch to the junction box. 

Connect the switch cable in the junction box so that it interrupts the live wire going to the outdoor light. This allows the switch to control the flow of electricity. Again, always make sure that you secure all the connections with a connector and electrical tape.

Close the junction box securely and restore power. You can now turn on the main power and test the lights’ functionalities.  

Portable Security Lights 

Temporary lighting is easier to install and requires fewer tools compared to fixed wall-mounted lighting. Here is some equipment you might need: 

• Power Source
• Extension Cable (if required) 

Step 1: Choose a Stable Surface 

Just like wall-mounted security lights, you need to consider where to put the the portable light for the best coverage and performance.

• If you're using a magnetic security light, you need a clean, flat metal surface up high to attach the device.
• For a tripod light, you should ensure that to provide a stable and level surface to place the unit on.

Some models, like Milwaukee M18™ HOAL-0 Area Light, come with mounting slots for screws, nails, and hooks. You can secure them with a proper drill and screwdriver for vertical or horizontal hanging.

Step 2: Position the Light 

Attach the lighting equipment to the desired spot. You might want to adjust the positioning to get the best coverage and optimal light spread. Security lights like NightSearcher GalaxyPro 6K LED Floodlight also let you adjust the angle of the light, so you're free to adjust this once you've finished the setup. 

Step 3: Connect to Power 

After securely fitting it, you can plug the device into a main socket or use a battery pack. Now the security lights are ready to use. You can turn them on to test the functionalities and make further changes if needed.

Why You Should Hire Temporary Security Lights 

Security lights are the simplest way to deter trespassers and thieves from snooping around your property. The installation of temporary security lighting is far simpler than wall-mounted lighting. They don’t require professional tools or drilling, providing instant lighting for your home and construction. Portable and lightweight, their functionality and brightness level are no less than those of fixed models.  

If you're working on a DIY project or on worksites, these portable security lights are the best choice. Speedy offers different types of lighting solutions from small floodlight units to high-capacity lighting towers. 

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