Why Your Garden Electrics Might Be Unsafe (And What to Do About It)

Garden lighting. Hot tubs. Outdoor sockets for lawnmowers and tools. As outdoor spaces become more of an extension of the home, electrics in the garden are more common than ever. But here’s the thing — we’ve seen some seriously unsafe garden setups around Exeter, and it’s not always obvious something’s wrong.

Whether you’ve just moved into a property or you’re adding a few outdoor upgrades, here’s what every homeowner should know.

1. Garden Electrics Are Exposed to the Elements

Unlike indoor wiring, garden electrics face rain, frost, UV rays, and pests. This means outdoor sockets, lights, and cables need to be properly rated (usually IP65 or higher) and installed with protection in mind.

We’ve seen cracked sockets, corroded connections, and even exposed cables buried under loose soil. It’s not just poor form — it’s dangerous.

2. DIY Jobs Are Everywhere (And Often Hidden)

Let’s be honest: many outdoor electrics are DIY attempts — or “a mate helped me out one weekend” sort of jobs. That might be fine for a shed light… until it’s not.

In Exeter and the surrounding areas, we’ve come across:

Extension leads run out of kitchen windows (yep, still happens)
Junction boxes full of spiders and rainwater
Outdoor lights wired with standard indoor cable (not suitable outdoors)

If it hasn’t been checked by a qualified electrician, there’s a chance it’s not compliant or safe.

3. No RCD Protection? That’s a Red Flag 🚩

All garden electrics should be protected by an RCD (Residual Current Device) — it’s a lifesaver, literally. It cuts power instantly if a fault is detected.

If your consumer unit is outdated, or if your garden sockets are wired straight off an internal ring without RCD protection, you’re taking a risk every time you plug something in outside.

4. Poor Earthing or Bonding = Real Danger

Outdoor circuits need proper earthing and bonding. This is often missed in DIY installs, but it’s crucial. Inadequate earthing can turn a small fault into a full-on shock hazard — especially in wet conditions.

5. Got Power to the Shed or Outbuilding?

Then it’s even more important to have the circuit checked. Power to an outbuilding needs to meet the same safety standards as your home — including appropriate cable runs, depth, conduit protection, and disconnection points.

We’ve been to a garden office in Exmouth powered via a long extension lead from the kitchen. It’s not just inefficient — it’s unsafe.

So, What Should You Do?

If in doubt, get it checked. A quick inspection from a professional can confirm if your setup is safe and compliant.
Plan properly. If you’re installing new electrics in the garden — for lighting, hot tubs, outdoor kitchens, or sockets — bring in a qualified electrician from the start.
Don’t rely on plug-in solutions forever. Outdoor electrics should be permanent, weatherproof, and compliant.

Final Word from EPM

We love a well-lit garden or a backyard with all the extras — but we also know how quickly things can go wrong when electrics are done on the cheap or without proper checks.

If you’re unsure about your outdoor setup, or planning a new one, get in touch. Our qualified electricians in Exeter will make sure your garden electrics are done right — and more importantly, done safely.

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