Spur socket on a light ring

Joined
11 Feb 2011
Messages
54
Reaction score
1
Location
London
Country
United Kingdom
Hopefully a simple question: can I add a spur for a plug socket onto a lighting mains circuit?

I have a floating ceiling which has halogen downlights. The whole house has Control4 home automation so all lighting circuits are individually wired back to a rack.

The cavity in the floating ceiling seems an ideal place to locate a WiFi router but it needs mains power, so hoping I can add a spur from the existing lighting power cables and plug into that.

The WiFi units are: http://www.devolo.co.uk/consumer/106_dlan-500-wifi_starter-kit_product-presentation_1.html?l=en

Thanks
 
Sponsored Links
Hopefully a simple question: can I add a spur for a plug socket onto a lighting mains circuit?

I have a floating ceiling which has halogen downlights. The whole house has Control4 home automation so all lighting circuits are individually wired back to a rack.

The cavity in the floating ceiling seems an ideal place to locate a WiFi router but it needs mains power, so hoping I can add a spur from the existing lighting power cables and plug into that.

The WiFi units are: http://www.devolo.co.uk/consumer/106_dlan-500-wifi_starter-kit_product-presentation_1.html?l=en

Thanks
Its your house you can do what you want.
However, the only plug 'socket' allowed on a lighting circuit is this type:
http://www.screwfix.com/p/mk-5a-1-gang-round-pin-unswitched-plug-socket-white/11412
But the plug type your kit has is the 13A square 3 pin type.
I suppose you could run the lighting circuit through a Suitably marked 1A Fused connection unit to a Suitably marked standard 13A single socket.
But personally I would just plug it into the standard ring final circuit.
Also the diagram in the manual seems to show the need to have the internet access point on the same circuit as the Wifi kit.
 
The installation link shows a two pin continental plug, so if you could adapt from a 5A socket outlet, from your lighting circuit, it could be possible.
 
Sponsored Links
If you have a network cable in your ceiling void and wish to add a WiFi access point you could use a model which is powered using power over ethernet (PoE).

For example:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tenda-W30...-802-11n-/141065666847?_trksid=p2054897.l4275

You could then use a PoE injector at the other end of the network cable (where it connects to your hub/switch/router):
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/48V-Power...ther_Computing_Networking&hash=item3f27374f80

This setup will send the power along the network cable and power your access point without a mains connection.

If there isn't a network cable in the void and you are looking to use power line adapters (as per your link and Winston's post) then please ignore my suggestion :)
 
Links in this post may contain affiliate links for which DIYnot may be compensated.
I hope PLT is soon banned it clearly is a flawed system.

With HF lights I would expect some interference anyway and to use a system which will be messed up by using CFL seems daft.

However it's your house and you don't live near me.
 
Thanks all so far. All I want is good WiFi throughout a house within which a single wireless router does not work, no matter where I place it. I have tried range extenders, but they too are temperamental.

Winston - You have an interesting post: What do you mean by 'reputable retailers'? Currys, PC World, Argos, DABS, Misco, VirginMedia, Maplin, etc all sell them

Moreover the studies still seem to point to inconclusive results. I don't mean to sounds confrontational - just trying to educate myself.


DIYer56 - good shout. The house is fully rigged with cat5/6 throughout so could use that to connect these. I was actually looking at a similar Cisco solution, but that's bound to be more expensive. The PLT looks more appealing due to bandwidth possibilities (I doubt it will be many years before even gigabit is considered lame)

Thanks
 
I was looking to do something similar in my garage. I really liked the idea of this model:

http://www.tenda.cn/tendacn/Product/show.aspx?productid=415

It fits into a standard UK back box and provides wireless access, a network port and USB charging. If you have an existing network socket in the room you could replace it with one of these, add the PoE injector at the central switch (or use a PoE switch) and remove the need for any ceiling void work altogether.
 
[quote="Arjay12345";p="2916031"

Winston - You have an interesting post: What do you mean by 'reputable retailers'? Currys, PC World, Argos, DABS, Misco, VirginMedia, Maplin, etc all sell them

Moreover the studies still seem to point to inconclusive results. I don't mean to sounds confrontational - just trying to educate myself.


Thanks[/quote]

Well all those retailers are large multinationals who only care about profits not their responsibilities. Maplin even admit to the problems but continue to sell them.

This sort of attitude is nothing new. 100 odd years ago many retailers continued to sell aresnic impregnated wallpaper in spite of the dangers. It took legislation to change things.

I don't think the results are inconclusive. Mains wiring is not designed to be used in this way and is bound to radiate, it's in the laws of physics which cannot be changed.

Anyway it is up to you but you could get a knock from Ofcom if someone complains of interference.
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top