Fused Spur - location...can it be "hidden"...??

[Funkyfreddy]

Hi All,

About to start looking for info but quick query please on location of a fused spur or single socket for use as a connection for a couple of fire surround downlights....

..looking to add two low voltage down lights to a timber fire surround.

I have a one single socket on downstairs ring adjacent to the new surround – was looking to add a fused spur next to it which would then feed dimmer and transformer for lights.

The transformer is going to be fitted in the “leg” (approx 120mm wide and 75mm deep) but for aesthetics would ideally prefer not having the fused spur visible so wondered if it was within regs to have it located on the wall but within the internal width of the leg – it would be accessible for fuse replacement/testing etc in the sense the surround is not permanently attached to the wall just self standing on a hearth and retained with two internal clips – lift up and it comes away ?

If the fused spur can indeed be “hidden” any reason why it couldn't therefore be a spurred socket with the transformer fed by a standard fused plug ?

Two piccies attached (if it works) – “_1” of the current single box with approx location of surround and “_2” looking down the back/internal leg of the surround.

Thanks in anticipation for any insight.

Rgds
Freddy

 

[oldbutnotdead]

First thing- are you sure that socket is actually on the ring and not a spur?

Hiding the FCU- I'd advise against it, operationally you really want to be able to disconnect the supply to your downlights quickly and without having to remove furniture (in case, let us say, the cheap transformer fails and starts to cook).Or indeed if you want to switch the lights off full stop (or are they to be a 24 hour per day feature?)

Neatest way to do it will be to have the FCU next to your existing socket and chase output cable from FCU to your stealth socket (which can then be hidden behind your fireplace surround)

 

[Funkyfreddy]

Morning,

Thanks for the reply Oldbnd.

Yes on the downstairs ring so not a spur.

When purchased with the exception of the kitchen all sockets were on one ring and nearly all single. We have converted most and added additional double sockets in all rooms rooms but upstairs is now a new circuit (Done by a QE, signed off and notified) so downstairs now on it's own.

I've just replaced the original and somewhat untidy 25mm pattress with a deeper 47mm one at that point.

There will have a on/off dimmer but if I add a single FCU next to this socket, chase or run behind plaster board a short section to behind the surround leg can I terminate this in a hidden 1 gang socket – that socket is OK as a spur of a spurred FCU ? No need for that to be notified as a change to downstairs circuit ?

Thanks...Oh and hopefully the Varilight transformer and V-Pro dimmer don't cause too many problems.

All the best
Freddy

 

[winston1]

It is not a transformer though, it's a PWM power supply. Putting a transformer on a dimmer would be very foolish. And your lights are not low voltage (mains), they are extra low voltage.

 

[Funkyfreddy]

Hi Winston,

??

Low voltage 12v dimmable lights on a Varilight LT YT105 transformer and a Varilight Pro dimmer ?

Rgds
Freddy

 

[JohnW2]

?? .... Low voltage 12v dimmable lights ...

Winston was merely pointing out to you that, in electrician-speak, any voltage between 50V and 1000V AC is "Low Voltage", and anything under 50V AC is "Extra Low Voltage". I realise that's very confusing for the bulk of the public, but that's how it is!

KInd Regards, John

 

[oldbutnotdead]

Good plan on the deeper backbox- 25mm can be a challenge.

As long as your switched FCU is visible (not covered up by furniture etc) and the cable to the stealth socket is appropriate type and adequate size (2.5mm T & E will definitely be OK, 1.5mm T & E has the current carrying capacity) and as long as that ring is protected by an RCD (doubt your chase will be deeper than 50mm) then your stealth socket will be fine and there's no requirement to notify the works.

Chase needs to be horizontal (or vertical) from the FCU to the fire surround (to keep it in a safe zone)- no rakish angles .

Neatest way to make space for the FCU next to that single socket will be to put in one of these http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Electrical/d190/Boxes+&+Pattresses/sd2634/Metal+Box/p36665 in a solid wall or http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Electrical/d190/Boxes+&+Pattresses/sd2634/Dry+Lining+Box/p41731 in plasterboard instead of the existing 1g.

And yes hopefully your posh control gear won't go on fire- if it does you'll be very pleased that you could isolate it without having to dump all the rubbish off the mantelpiece and lift the surround off.

 

[Funkyfreddy]

Thanks Old.

I'll put a separate single box (saves messing with the 47mm one already done !) next to it feed with 2.5 T&E and onward to a hidden/stealth socket as below.

Just for confirmation how many sockets can go on the spur from that Fused Socket albeit limited to 13A ?

Thanks again guys for your input.
Freddy.

 

[JohnW2]

Just for confirmation how many sockets can go on the spur from that Fused Socket albeit limited to 13A ?

You can have an unlimited number of sockets of a fused spur but, as you say, the total current across all of them will be limited to 13A.

Kind Regards, John

 

[oldbutnotdead]

Your drawing looks fine and as above, unlimited sockets are permitted downstream of an FCU.

 

[winston1]

Hi Winston,

??

Low voltage 12v dimmable lights on a Varilight LT YT105 transformer and a Varilight Pro dimmer ?

Rgds
Freddy

12 volts is NOT low voltage, it is extra low voltage.

It is not a transformer, the manufacturers don't know what they are selling.