couple of stupid questions

[mackandmutley]

We are currently remodelling our kitchen and have lighting circuits to re-design. Before I ask the electrician on Wednesday face to face and look stupid could you tell me if the following is possible.

1] 2 seperate sets of downlights in ceiling - 1 inner square and 1 outer square that are controlled by 3 seperate switches located at each of the entry points ot the kitchen.

2] On the two back doors a seperate or perhaps better a triple type switch to control the existing outside patio lighting ( this was originally only controllable by one switch.

3] The previous kitchen extractor fan appears to be wired on the lighting circuit, is this normal and should it remain this way?

4] I have looked on the sticky thread about lighting diagrams and I think the 3 way system I need describes an intermediate switch, what is this? I'm just making sure I can get this type of socket in the style range we have chosen.

5] Have you ever come accross a surface mount 2 gang brushed stainless steel effect box, I have tried TLC, Screwfix, CEF, BES, but no luck yet?


Sorry for the waffle and appreciate any or all answers.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

We are currently remodelling our kitchen and have lighting circuits to re-design. Before I ask the electrician on Wednesday face to face and look stupid could you tell me if the following is possible.

1] 2 seperate sets of downlights in ceiling - 1 inner square and 1 outer square that are controlled by 3 seperate switches located at each of the entry points ot the kitchen.

If you are saying you have three separate entry points to the kitchen and you would like inner and outer square lighting switched separately from these points.
Yes it can be done using intermediate switching

2] On the two back doors a seperate or perhaps better a triple type switch to control the existing outside patio lighting ( this was originally only controllable by one switch.

Yes two way switching

3] The previous kitchen extractor fan appears to be wired on the lighting circuit, is this normal and should it remain this way?

Not abnormal

4] I have looked on the sticky thread about lighting diagrams and I think the 3 way system I need describes an intermediate switch, what is this? I'm just making sure I can get this type of socket in the style range we have chosen.

An intermediate switch is a specialised switch for the use in switching from more than two switching points and is indeed different from a one or two way switch, so you need to ask for that and make sure they are available in the range and design you want.

5] Have you ever come accross a surface mount 2 gang brushed stainless steel effect box, I have tried TLC, Screwfix, CEF, BES, but no luck yet?

http://www.wirelesslightingstore.co...surface-mounted-double-35mm-pattress-box.html

 

[mackandmutley]

Ok, I have found intermediate switches, but they seem to be only 1 switch per 1 gang plate, is this normal?

It would possibly make it look a bit industrial having 2 of the intermediate switches along with a third for the ouside lighting.

Any other options?

By the way, thanks for the link to the back boxes, you're a star, grab yourself a prize!!

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

These
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Type/_LightSwitches.BrushedStainlessSteel.2GangIntermediate.html
and also grid systems
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Wiring_Accessories_Menu_Index/Grid_System/index.html

 

[Lectrician]

Google "Grid Switches".

If the fan is a cooker hood and not a fan as such, then it should not be on the lighting circuit. Cooker hoods can infact cause a lighting MCB to trip due to the switch on surge of the larger fan.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Google "Grid Switches".

If the fan is a cooker hood and not a fan as such, then it should not be on the lighting circuit. Cooker hoods can infact cause a lighting MCB to trip due to the switch on surge of the larger fan.

That's a fair point. I was assuming it was a wall extractor rather than hob as hob was not mentioned.

 

[Paul_C]

Or you can build up whatever you need with grid switches:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Wiring_Accessories_Menu_Index/Grid_System/index.html

Edit: Beat me to it!

On the fan issue, I wouldn't say it's particularly normal for a kitchen to have the fan switched with the light. I'd always want the fan controlled entirely separately, so that you don't have to have the lights on if you want to run the fan, and vice versa.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

On the fan issue, I wouldn't say it's particularly normal for a kitchen to have the fan switched with the light. I'd always want the fan controlled entirely separately, so that you don't have to have the lights on if you want to run the fan, and vice versa.

There was no mention of switching, just it was connected to the lighting circuit.

 

[mackandmutley]

Sorry, To clarify:

I meant the hob extractor hood is powered via a 3 pin plug which is sconnected to a socket which is fed from the live into the kitchen for the lighting circuit,

This just seemed a little odd to me and as the ceiling is down and we having everytihng else done, figured if it was odd we may as well get it done now.

Good suggestions on the switches if just a bit pricey than I was hoping on the grid switches, will have to run them past her.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

What type of three pin plug is it?
If it's the standard plug type not good practice!
As for it actually being connected to the lighting circuit, do you know the load calculations of the lighting and the size of the device protecting the circuit?

 

[Paul_C]

There was no mention of switching, just it was connected to the lighting circuit.

Oops! I misread what was meant there!

I meant the hob extractor hood is powered via a 3 pin plug which is sconnected to a socket which is fed from the live into the kitchen for the lighting circuit,

As above: Is it a 13A socket, or a BS546 2 or 5A socket?