Lighting circuits

[Cav43]

Hello, been looking for ages but now decided to register and post.....

Two questions:

Can someone please explain intermediate switching,
and
A mates place currently has 2 lighting circuits (up and downstairs - including the kitchen). He's having a kitchen extension built and as a result will be adding 14 down lighters (voltage to be decided). These will be switched in 2 groups, 1 of 10, the other of 4. I have suggested that a new lighting circuit should be run in just for these lights - am I right - he thinks I'm being a girl! I thought you had to assume each fitting at 100w and then apply a usage percentage (66%?) for the amount of lights in total that would be on at the same time.

Any help appreciated - ta!

 

[davy_owen_88]

Intermediate switching

The need for a new lighting circuit will depend on the loading on the current circuit. 14x 50W DL's will use about 3A so if the current loading is high, then a new circuit is a good idea.

 

[Cav43]

I've looked at the pictures for intermediate but what does it actually do?
(A description in word form would really help)


Including outside lighting there's currently 6 fittings on the downstairs circuit (the lounge has 3 lamps in 1 fitting).

I suggested moving the 14 down lights and the rear security light (only 'cos it's on the kitchen extension wall) on to the new circuit.

There's plenty of space in the CU and it's not that much of a 'mare to get at..........

Just after a sanity check. Would people leave as is or run a new feed in?

 

[bernardgreen]

Having lights spread between two breakers is useful when a bulb burns out and trips the MCB.

 

[davy_owen_88]

If there is plenty of space in the CU and running new wires is relatively hassle free, it'll probably be easier than tapping into the existing circuit...

 

[RF Lighting]

Intermediate switching is often used in a long corridor, allowing there to be (for example) six switches on the corridor which all operate the same lights. This allows the lights to be switched on or off from any of the six switches.

 

[Cav43]

RF Lighting:

Instead of intermediate switches, couldn't you use the 3 wire, 2 way switching example and just add more switches wired with 3 core?

 

[plugwash]

If you do that you will end up with a situation where to turn the light off all the switches must be in the same position.