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Power Up Outdoors This Summer with Elecstore

Published: 05 Jun 2025 ・ Read time: 8 Mins
There’s nothing better than spending long summer days enjoying the great outdoors, and as homeowners, we all want to make the most of our outdoor spaces, whether it's for relaxing in the sun, hosting a barbecue with friends, or simply enjoying the fresh air. 
One easy way to enhance your outdoor experience this summer is by bringing power to your outdoor space. At City Plumbing, our revamped Elecstore has all you need when adding electrical sockets and cables to your outdoor space, making it the perfect spot for all your summer activities. Here we help you power up affordably and safely for the summer season and beyond. 

Define Your Outdoor Power Needs

Before buying anything, it’s a good idea to consider exactly what you want to power outdoors:
  • Power Points: For electric BBQs, outdoor heaters, lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, power tools, water features, hot tubs, or even temporary festive lighting.
  • Sheds/Outbuildings: Power for internal lighting, tools, or appliances in a shed, garage, or summerhouse.
  • Lighting: Ambient garden lighting, security floodlights, pathway lights, decorative fairy lights.

Explore City Plumbing's Elecstore Range for Outdoor Use

Through our superb Elecstore, you’ll find the most popular high-quality products to help with all your outdoor needs this summer, including:
  • Outdoor Switches & Sockets: Look for products with high IP ratings (Ingress Protection), such as IP65 or IP66. These ratings indicate resistance to dust and water jets, essential for outdoor environments. 
  • Weatherproof Enclosures: To protect electrical connections and accessories from the elements.
City Plumbing offers a range of adaptable boxes, fused connection units, sockets, and switches. 
  • Outdoor Lighting: A variety of garden lights, wall lights, post lights, and floodlights specifically designed for outdoor conditions. Ensure they also have appropriate IP ratings.
City Plumbing offers an assortment of outdoor lighting types including Dusk to Dawn lights, Flood lights, Garden Lighting, Up and Down Lights and Wall Lights. 
  • Armoured Cable (SWA - Steel Wire Armoured): This is crucial for outdoor installations, especially if running cables underground. SWA cables are designed to withstand tough outdoor conditions, providing physical protection against impact, abrasion, and even animal interference.
  • Cable Management: Conduits and clips to protect and secure outdoor cables.
City Plumbing offers a vast selection of cable types as well as a huge choice of cable management products to complete all your outdoor electrical projects. 
  • RCD Protection: Crucially, all outdoor sockets in the UK must have Residual Current Device (RCD) protection. This device quickly cuts off power if there's a fault, preventing dangerous electric shocks. 
  • Consumer Units & Distribution Boards: For larger outdoor installations, like powering a shed, a dedicated consumer unit might be needed to distribute power safely.
City Plumbing sells consumer units and distribution boards from trusted and reputable brand names.

Understand UK Regulations and When to Call a Professional

For UK homeowners, there are several important factors to consider regarding outdoor electrics, including:
  • Part P of the Building Regulations: In England and Wales, electrical work in domestic properties, including outdoor areas, is regulated by Part P.
  • "Notifiable" vs. "Non-Notifiable" Work:
Notifiable work includes major electrical tasks like installing a new circuit, replacing or upgrading a consumer unit, or carrying out electrical work in high-risk areas such as gardens or outbuildings.
Non-notifiable work includes minor tasks like replacing a damaged socket or light fitting (outside special locations) on an existing circuit.
  • Professional Installation is Key for "Notifiable" Work:
For any "notifiable" outdoor electrical work (which most significant outdoor power projects will be), it must be carried out by a competent person registered with a government-approved scheme (e.g. NICEIC, ELECSA, NAPIT).
Alternatively, if a non-registered individual (like a homeowner) carries out notifiable work, it must be inspected and approved by a local authority building control officer. This can be costly and time-consuming.
  • DIY Tips (for minor tasks and preparing for professionals):
Planning: Sketch out where you want outdoor power and lighting.
Safety First: Always switch off power at the mains before attempting any electrical work.
Appropriate Products: Only use products specifically rated for outdoor use (check IP ratings).
Cable Protection: If burying cables, they must be armoured (SWA) and buried at the recommended depth (e.g at least 450mm under patios/paths, 750mm under lawns/flowerbeds).
RCDs: Ensure all outdoor circuits are RCD-protected.

FAQs About Outdoor Power 

Homeowners often have specific questions when considering adding outdoor power. Here are some frequently asked questions, along with answers that align with UK regulations and best practices:
What Kind of Outdoor Sockets Do I Need?
You need weatherproof outdoor sockets with an appropriate IP (Ingress Protection) rating. For general outdoor use in the UK, IP65 is highly recommended, as it offers protection against dust and water jets. For areas more exposed to severe weather or potential immersion (e.g near ponds), even higher ratings like IP66 or IP67/68 (for submersed items) may be necessary. These sockets are designed to keep the internal electrical components safe and dry.
Do I Need RCD Protection for Outdoor Sockets?
Yes, absolutely. All outdoor sockets in the UK must be protected by a Residual Current Device (RCD). An RCD is a life-saving device that automatically cuts off the power very quickly if it detects an electrical fault, such as if you accidentally cut a cable while mowing the lawn. Many outdoor sockets come with built-in RCDs, or a separate RCD unit can be installed on the circuit at your consumer unit (fuse box).
Can I Install Outdoor Power Sockets Myself?
For most significant outdoor electrical work, such as installing new circuits, extending existing circuits outdoors, or adding power to a shed or outbuilding, it’s strongly recommended to use a qualified, registered electrician. Failure to comply with current regulations can be a criminal offence and may invalidate your home insurance.
For very minor, like-for-like replacements (e.g replacing an existing damaged outdoor socket on an already RCD-protected circuit), an experienced DIYer might consider it, but it's still safer to consult a professional.
What Type of Cable Should I Use for Outdoor Power?
For most permanent outdoor installations in the UK, especially if burying cables, you should use Steel Wire Armoured (SWA) cable. SWA cable is specifically designed for outdoor and underground use, offering robust protection against physical damage, moisture, and UV degradation. It's crucial to install it at the correct depth (e.g at least 450mm under paths/patios, 750mm under lawns/flowerbeds) and ideally with warning tape above it.
How Far Away from Water Sources Should Outdoor Sockets Be?
Outdoor sockets should be placed at a safe distance from water sources like ponds, taps, and swimming pools. While there isn't a single universal distance, it's generally good practice to keep them as far away as practically possible and always ensure they have the appropriate IP rating for their proximity to water. Any electrical equipment in or immediately adjacent to water features (like pond pumps or underwater lights) must be specifically designed and rated for such use (e.g IP68) and installed by a specialist.
Do I Need a Separate Circuit for Outdoor Power?
It depends on what you plan to power. For simple outdoor lighting or a single socket for occasional use, it might be possible to extend an existing indoor circuit (provided it's adequately protected by an RCD and the added load won't overload it). However, for high-power devices like electric heaters, hot tubs, or providing power to a garden office/shed, a dedicated new circuit from your consumer unit is often required. A qualified electrician will be able to assess your needs and advise on the safest and most compliant solution.
How Often Should I Have My Outdoor Electrics Checked?
 While there's no strict legal requirement for homeowners, it's good practice to have your outdoor electrical installations visually inspected periodically (e.g quarterly for general checks) and professionally inspected every 5-10 years by a qualified electrician, or if you notice any signs of damage, wear, or malfunction. An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) can provide a comprehensive safety assessment.
Can I Use Indoor Extension Leads Outside?
No, you should never use indoor extension leads or multi-sockets permanently outdoors. They are not designed for outdoor conditions and are not weatherproof. This can lead to serious safety hazards, including electric shock and fire. Always use outdoor-rated, RCD-protected sockets and appropriate outdoor cables.
What About Garden Lighting Requirements?
Garden lighting also requires appropriate IP-rated fittings suitable for outdoor use. Low-voltage lighting systems (e.g 12V) are generally safer and easier to install for DIY enthusiasts, but even these require careful planning and correct installation. For mains voltage garden lighting, a qualified electrician is essential.
What Are the Potential Risks of Poorly Installed Outdoor Electrics?
The risks are severe and include:
  • Electric shock: Can be fatal.
  • Electrical fires: Especially if water gets into connections or cables are overloaded.
  • Damage to property: From fires or surges.
  • Invalidated insurance: If work isn't compliant with regulations.
  • Legal penalties: For non-compliance with Building Regulations.

Choose City Plumbing For All Your Electrical Needs 

By combining the right products from City Plumbing with an understanding of UK electrical safety regulations and the importance of professional installation for significant projects, homeowners can truly "Power Up The Outdoors This Summer" safely and effectively.
If you’re looking for helpful advice and suggestions on choosing the best products for your home this summer, take a further look at our City Plumbing website for more information.

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