Can you use indoor lights outside?

workaccount

Hi,
We have a front porch on our house with three lights that need to be replaced. There protected from water but are exposed to the cold and some wind. Is there special ones you use for outdoors or can you use the same ones you would use indoors?

Thinking about something like this http://cgi.ebay.ie/50W-GU10-Fire-Rated-Downlight-White-c-w-Lamp-100-Minute_W0QQitemZ300269013245QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item300269013245&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1296|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318#ebayphotohosting

Thanks.

ART6

workaccount wrote: »

Hi,
We have a front porch on our house with three lights that need to be replaced. There protected from water but are exposed to the cold and some wind. Is there special ones you use for outdoors or can you use the same ones you would use indoors?

Thinking about something like this http://cgi.ebay.ie/50W-GU10-Fire-Rated-Downlight-White-c-w-Lamp-100-Minute_W0QQitemZ300269013245QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item300269013245&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1296|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318#ebayphotohosting

Thanks.

All DIY stores sell a wide range of outside lights, so why not have a look around? Light fittings designed for indoors are not generally suitable for outdoor use.

RKQ

I agree fully with Art6.
Certain bathroom rated "shower" lightfittings, similar to the one in your photo, may be suitable to use outside in a porch ceiling. However the chrome / brass cover plates tend to peel or rust.

northdublin

the most widely used fitting like that is usually made from pvc. they come in black and white and some versions have a tilt. they generally take a gu-10 type lamp and this means you can fit cfl gu-10 to help keep the cost down. ring your local electrical wholesaler and ask for a price on their pvc exterior downlighters. we sell a lot of them and ppl usually fit them into their soffets.