Loft Power

lunny68 · Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 7:24 pm Post Subject: Loft Power

My loft currently has lighting but no power. How do I add power to it? Can I do so from existing sources or should I try to run off an existing plug socket?
Many thanks, Dave

Taylortwocities · Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 10:10 pm Post Subject:

Depends how much power you need up there.
If its no more than 13A you should run a spur from the upstairs ring final.
More than 13A and you'll need to extend the ring into the roof or run a new separate radial from the consumer unit.

ban-all-sheds · Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 5:22 pm Post Subject:

Bearing in mind, of course, that a new circuit is notifiable..

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industryspark · Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 6:27 pm Post Subject:

best way is to just spur off the upstairs ring allowing you to put a double socket in the loft. like TW says though, it all comes down to what exactly your planning to run up there.

bear in mind that extending the ring is a bit trickier and more hassle than running a spur and you must have a good grasp of what your doing to do this safelly and correctly!

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MHAD · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 2:36 pm Post Subject:

I'm planning to install power into my loft on the next few weeks.

As I'll be running a few things up there, namely a new PC / media server and the gubbins that go with it, and would want to leave spare sockets for future planning.

Having read up on this my intention is to break the upstairs ring using 2 x 30A junction boxes, running 2.5mm cable from the first junction box up into the loft, looping in and out of 3 x double sockets, and back downstairs to the second junction box to connected back to the original ring.

Is this the right approach? Is it notifiable? I didn't think it was, but wanted to check.

What I was also wondering was whether I should begin with 2 junction boxes in the loft as well and run the sockets in a ring from there.

I should also add that in doing this, the total area served by the upstairs ring stays well within the 100m sq limit.

Taylortwocities · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 4:42 pm Post Subject:

Its not a new circuit and not in a special location so its not notifiable.

PLEASE avoid use of junction boxes if possible. They are a possible source of problems in future years and must be left accessible. Hidden ones are the bane of sparky's lives as you dont know where they are.

If you are going to split the ring, the best place to do it is in at an existing (ring) socket. That way any junctions can be examined and are in an obvious place!
On the same basis, take your extended ring cables straight into the new sockets in the loft.

Dont beat yourself up about area covered. Total load is more important and you arent going to break the bank with the items you are planning.

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MHAD · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:01 pm Post Subject:

Thanks very much for that.

I can (and will) avoid using junction boxes in the loft, but can't get away without it at the point of splitting the ring. However we have good records of what electrical work has been done on the house by a local spark after gutting it when we bought it last year, so I can add to those.