Shower pump plugged into lighting circuit

[winston1]

The regulations say you can fit a connection unit or a 1363 socket to a lighting circuit.

Where?

 

[stillp]

In the green book look at 559.6.1.1(v)

 

[securespark]

Where everyone has been telling you it is written.

 

[JohnW2]

Where everyone has been telling you it is written.

Just to rock the boat a little .... it's actually a bit confusing. What 559.5.1 (or the equivalent in the BGB) actually says is that FCUs and BS1363 sockets are amongst the long list of things which may be connected at "each fixed lighting point" - and I can see scope for some discussion about whether what we are talking about here is actually a "fixed lighting point"!

Kind Regards, John

 

[stillp]

I can see scope for some discussion about whether what we are talking about here is actually a "fixed lighting point"

And, of course, whether "fixed lighting point" remains a "fixed lighting point" when something other than a luminaire or ceiling rose is connected to it!

 

[JohnW2]

And, of course, whether "fixed lighting point" remains a "fixed lighting point" when something other than a luminaire or ceiling rose is connected to it!

Exactly. That was obviously my point.

Kind Regards, John

 

[EFLImpudence]

Please Sirs,

I have a 6A circuit from my consumer unit (1.5mm²) to a shower pump for which a socket and plug is used - it is a 13A socket but I thought that was the maximum current it could handle; not a minimum supply requirement.


Would it also be alright to connect some lights to the circuit as there is spare capacity?
Is it allowed to have lights on a shower pump socket circuit?

 

[winston1]

Please Sirs,

I have a 6A circuit from my consumer unit (1.5mm²) to a shower pump for which a socket and plug is used - it is a 13A socket but I thought that was the maximum current it could handle; not a minimum supply requirement.


Would it also be alright to connect some lights to the circuit as there is spare capacity?
Is it allowed to have lights on a shower pump socket circuit?

I suggest as you are in Portugal you should use a Schuko socket.

 

[JohnW2]

I have a 6A circuit from my consumer unit (1.5mm²) to a shower pump for which a socket and plug is used - it is a 13A socket but I thought that was the maximum current it could handle; not a minimum supply requirement. ... Would it also be alright to connect some lights to the circuit as there is spare capacity? ... Is it allowed to have lights on a shower pump socket circuit?

Quite so. As I implied recently, it's not materially different from having, say, 16 x 13A socket outlets on a 32A circuit. The fact that, hypothetically, 208A's worth of loads could be plugged into those sockets does not make it an unacceptable arrangement.

Kind Regards, John

 

[EFLImpudence]

I suggest as you are in Portugal you should use a Schuko socket.

That would not obviate the reason for your objection, would it?

 

[stillp]

I suggest as you are in Portugal you should use a Schuko socket.

Surely that's not allowed, they are rated 16A!

 

[gsf600y]

Photo of the socket in question.

So, don't know if it makes a difference to the debate, but if I'm the only person using this socket, and I'm not likely to plug anything else into that socket (bar perhaps a light whilst I'm working in that area of the loft), it sounds like it's safe.

This socket is in a really inaccessible area of the loft, behind the water tank. not likely anyone in the house would ever see it yet alone use it.

Question: is that white cabling likely 1.5 or 1 mm lighting cable?

 

[stillp]

Question: is that white cabling likely 1.5 or 1 mm lighting cable?

It doesn't really matter, as it will be protected by the 6A MCB. It should be fixed though, as should the cable, to prevent any stress on the terminals.

 

[EFLImpudence]

It's fine. Don't worry.

Looks like 1mm². Not much difference, though, so hard to tell.


It may be a good idea to put a piece of carpet under the pump and stick the wood with silicone - something not solid.

 

[JohnW2]

So, don't know if it makes a difference to the debate, but if I'm the only person using this socket, and I'm not likely to plug anything else into that socket (bar perhaps a light whilst I'm working in that area of the loft), it sounds like it's safe. ... This socket is in a really inaccessible area of the loft, behind the water tank. not likely anyone in the house would ever see it yet alone use it.

As most of us have said, it's fine. If you want to be even more sure, you could get out your Sharpie and write "Lighting circuit - Shower Pump Only" or suchlike all over the socket.

There really ought to be some 'restraint' for the cable, though - fix the socket and clip the cable to something.

Question: is that white cabling likely 1.5 or 1 mm lighting cable?

If you're asking whether is is likely to be "1mm² or 1.5mm²" cable, then the answer is yes. If you're asking which of those it is, it's hard to tell from the picture - but it doesn't matter, since 1mm² would be more than adequate for your purpose.

Kind Regards, John
Edit: too slow (maybe because I'm too verbose!) yet again!