Junction boxes are mainly used to protect electrical connections from weather and any disturbance or interference. Having a junction box means you can split a single functional feed into multiple outputs, which helps with distribution. Junction boxes may also be used as house components such as LED power supplies. Junction boxes are generally needed when you’re using low voltage lighting such as patio lights and when you’re connecting low voltage lights to the mains.
What Settings are Junction Boxes Most Used In
In relation to garden lighting, junction boxes can be mounted on the wall of a garage or shed when you want to split a single feed into multiple outputs, or they can be used for housing a transformer or LED power supply. They may be mounted on external house walls or garden walls for the same purpose and used under decking or they may be used in burial locations.
It is important when burying a junction box, the IP rating of the box is good enough for the location. Buried boxes should ideally be IP68 but in certain locations IP67 may be adequate. Most junction boxes are IP65 or IP66 which is not up the task of being buried in a traditional English garden. In this situation a junction box with a better IP rating should be found or the junction box may be filled, (after wiring and testing), with resin or gel to bring up the IP rating to IP68.
When you don’t need a junction box
Whilst a junction box isn’t needed for low voltage lighting, you should still make sure the wire connections are properly protected from the elements and from accidental contact, for both humans and wildlife. Wire connections can be waterproofed with the aid of dedicated waterproof connectors or by using waterproof heat shrink tubing over soldered connections. If you want to use a junction box for landscape lighting connections, you can do – it’s not necessary, but it will add an extra layer of protection, giving you peace of mind that nothing will be damaged.
At Lighting for Gardens, we offer a range of IP65, IP66, IP67, IP68 junction boxes and cable glands, whilst for junction boxes with lower IP ratings we offer sealants which help to fill them and bring the IP rating up to IP68. Please browse our extensive range.