Weatherproof enclosure

 

Fibre optics are eminently suitable for outdoor use as the fibres don’t transmit either electricity or heat. The light source however must be protected from the weather. You can make your own weatherproof enclosure from a plastic water header tank or purchase a unit from us. As the light source does generate heat, a homemade enclosure should hold enough volume of air to permit adequate cooling or have ventilation holes.

The enclosure does not have any aesthetic appeal, so you'll generally put it under decking or similar, and so it may already be protected from the weather to some extent. Take into account the level of protection afforded by any such cover when deciding where to put the ventilation holes in your IP enclosure. The object, obviously, is to avoid any direct exposure to driving rain, garden sprinklers or rainwater run-off.

In the case of our enclosure, 5 x ½ inch diameter holes drilled in opposite sides of the unit should be adequate. The holes may need to be protected from direct ingress of water by screwing or glueing a louvre in place over the holes - depending on the location of the enclosure.

You will also need a 1½ inch hole to permit entry of the fibres and a ½ inch hole for the incoming power cable. These can be weatherproofed using our ferrules or you could use silicone adhesive as a more permanent alternative.

Always consult a qualified electrician for outside mains voltage installation work.

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Weatherproof enclosure	£55.00