What cable do I need for outdoor lights?

I'm running power out to the shed and putting two wall lights on the back of the house. What cable should I use outside?

Asked by Jenny on 7th Aug 2026
Expert Trade Answers
"The cable running to the shed should be SWA (Steel Wire Armour) as it will be exposed to mechanical damage or buried underground, once at the shed the lights can be ran HO7 flex if clipped external or twin and earth cable if ran inside the shed, if ran on the outside it need to be HO7 as it need to be UV rated, thanks."
Answered on 7th Aug 2026 - Member since Jul 2026 - report
"Feed to shed in SWA (steel wire armoured). Either buried or clipped to a suitable wall or structure.

Wall lights on the house - ideally use twin and earth, drill through the wall (downward angle from inside to out) and put twin and earth through hole, will no twin and earth cable showing outside. Or as mentioned on the other answer H07 flex if it’s going to be clipped on the outside of house"
Answered on 7th Aug 2026 - Member since May 2026 - report
"Depends on a number of variables, but H07 is probably expensive overkill for a couple of lights, and swa only required if it's liable to be damaged, also depends on light type... If it needs to go underground then swa is a must, but if the shed adjoins house, or there's a wall going between house and shed that can be used to clip then just a normal 3 core 1mm black flex would be my thinking. One thing to bear in mind is that if the power is being taken from a socket circuit then a spur to fuse down to 3a will be required."
Answered on 7th Aug 2026 - Member since Apr 2023 - report
"hi ideally an swa cable which should be buried in the ground if possible"
Answered on 7th Aug 2026 - Member since May 2023 - report
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