Extending Lighting Circuit

[DavidP]

I am wanting to power a DVR, a monitor, a network switch connecting 2 cameras and a Wireless network adapter in a loft (total current well under 5A). Ring main is a floor below and very difficult to access sensibly. Would it be valid to spur off the lighting circuit via a fused, RCD-protected unit to appropriate sockets - all labeled as 5A max?

 

[Fleeting]

There is nothing to say you cannot do this. A rcd spur would only be required if additional rcd protection is not in place at your consumer unit.

 

[BorisJ]

I am wanting to power a DVR, a monitor, a network switch connecting 2 cameras and a Wireless network adapter in a loft (total current well under 5A). Ring main is a floor below and very difficult to access sensibly. Would it be valid to spur off the lighting circuit via a fused, RCD-protected unit to appropriate sockets - all labeled as 5A max?

Bad practice. Not all the ring is under the floor. It emerges at every socket. Extend it from one of them.

 

[Fleeting]

Bad practice. Not all the ring is under the floor. It emerges at every socket. Extend it from one of them.

Where is it cited to be 'bad practice'.

 

[Sharpend]

As I’ve heard rather frequently recently
“Boris needs to resign”.
Perhaps the right honourable gentleman thinks he’s above resignation, whether that be completely or too others ??

 

[steptoe]

Bad practice. Not all the ring is under the floor. It emerges at every socket. Extend it from one of them.

Are you actually a real electrician, or a glorified 5ww ,?

 

[BorisJ]

Where is it cited to be 'bad practice'.

It is common sense. The OP wants 4 13 amp sockets on a 6 amp circuit!

 

[King Arthur]

No he doesn't, he needs 4 outlets from which he'll draw a couple of amps at most. But the limited choices of socket outlets means that a 13A socket is a reasonable choice. Correct fusing etc will ensure everything is safe in just the same way that a ring main can be overloaded. What would you suggest instead?

 

[Fleeting]

It is common sense. The OP wants 4 13 amp sockets on a 6 amp circuit!

So it is not permitted to fit a 13A socket outlet protected by a 6A protective device considering the location of the sockets will restrict them to a minimal load.

 

[Mike P]

I think the problem here is surely the number of appliance’s and the load on an already (probably) loaded lighting circuit let alone future additions to the circuit. It’s one thing to put a door bell or the odd addition but this is a full cctv set up.

 

[BorisJ]

No he doesn't, he needs 4 outlets from which he'll draw a couple of amps at most. But the limited choices of socket outlets means that a 13A socket is a reasonable choice. Correct fusing etc will ensure everything is safe in just the same way that a ring main can be overloaded. What would you suggest instead?

How about 5a or 2a BS 546 sockets. At then no one will plug in a kettle.

Correct fusing? A 3 amp plug fuse offers no discrimination against a 6a MCB.

 

[BorisJ]

So it is not permitted to fit a 13A socket outlet protected by a 6A protective device considering the location of the sockets will restrict them to a minimal load.

Whether it is permitted or not (by whom or what considering the regs are not statute) putting 13a sockets in a dark windowless unboarded space on the same circuit as the lights for that space is a recipe for disaster in the event of a fault taking out those lights.

 

[King Arthur]

Disaster? A bit dramatic surely? The lights could go out for loads of reasons even without a 13A socket in the circuit. If that was truly a disaster scenario then perhaps all lighting circuits should have a battery backup as required in many commercial/public installations.

 

[King Arthur]

All the arguments here about a 13A socket possibly leading to overloading a 6A circuit (even though this would only cause the circuit to trip) seem to ignore the fact that multiple 13A sockets on a 30A ring can also lead to overloading and tripping. So what's the big problem?

Also, bear in mind that in these days of LED lighting it could be argued that a 6A circuit is complete overkill anyway.

 

[BorisJ]

All the arguments here about a 13A socket possibly leading to overloading a 6A circuit (even though this would only cause the circuit to trip) seem to ignore the fact that multiple 13A sockets on a 30A ring can also lead to overloading and tripping. So what's the big problem?

The big problem is the lights are on the same circuit in an unboarded loft. Foot through the ceiling perhaps.

Tripping a ring will still leave the lights on so no problem.

 

[Murdoch]

I am wanting to power a DVR, a monitor, a network switch connecting 2 cameras and a Wireless network adapter in a loft (total current well under 5A). Ring main is a floor below and very difficult to access sensibly. Would it be valid to spur off the lighting circuit via a fused, RCD-protected unit to appropriate sockets - all labeled as 5A max?

If you were asking me to do this for you I would look at other options before doing this

And are you sure your lighting circuit has a cpc ?

 

[Sharpend]

I would imagine that the kit will be mounted on a board with a little foot access if required, any one who plans to put kit into the loft without proper (safe) access well less said the better.