Two light circuits off a single FCU?

[Rob_Quads]

I am just in the process of planning the electric to go into my extension. I am going to be inserting a couple of mains sockets into the main ring but then was planning on having a couple of FCUs (3A), one for feeding some interior lights and a 2nd for feeding the exterior lights. (Ring is RCD protected)

Out of interest are you allowed to have two lighting circuits off a single FCU, pretty sure you can't but thought I would check.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

two lighting circuits or one lighting circuit with lights loop in to each other?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I am just in the process of planning the electric to go into my extension.

What did you tell the council would be the way that you'd be complying with Part P?

What is Southampton's general attitude to DIY electrical work?

 

[flameport]

Sockets and the interior lighting on the same circuit won't comply with 314.2

 

[ColJack]

I recon it's safer in a workshop.. that way if the lights go out you're not left with a still spinning circular saw, router or table saw just waiting to bite you in the dark..

 

[Taylortwocities]

Either you have misread the OP's post or don't understand 314.2

Rob has a ring final.
He is going to add a couple of sockets to it, no problem.
He is also going to add an FCU to provide a feed for two lighting circuits.
I'm assuming that the FCU will have a fuse of, perhaps, 3amps.
He can do this, no problemo.
The two lighting circuits will (I guess) have separate switches, one for the inside and one for the outside lights. Or he could have two FCUs, one for each circuit.

Again, a very usual way of doing things and no problems either way.

Where does 314.2 apply??

 

[ColJack]

probably thought that the ".. operation of any single protective device." bit applied..

but if you take that to the extremes, then the operation of the main fuse would cause the same..
as would the operation of whatever fuse arrangement they have at the sub station for the whole street...

 

[Rob_Quads]

I am just in the process of planning the electric to go into my extension.

What did you tell the council would be the way that you'd be complying with Part P?

What is Southampton's general attitude to DIY electrical work?

I asked BC about the sockets and they had no problems with it and mentioned that as long as its not in the kitchen/bathroom or a new ring then it would not be notifiable but would have to conform to standards i.e. what the rules are for any other council out there?

As mentioned by Taylortwocities I was pretty sure the plan of having two lighting circuits off the main ring each with thier own FCU is perfectly fine. I was pretty sure sharing 1 FCU was noy possible BUT I thought I would ask.

 

[safesinbad]

Sockets and the interior lighting on the same circuit won't comply with 314.2

314.2 Separate circuits shall be provided for parts of the installation which need to be separately controlled, in such a way that those circuits are not affected by the failure of other circuits, and due account shall be taken of the consequences of the operation of any single protective device.

Same circuit, where's the problem?

And yes, BS1363 sockets are single pole or double pole same as FCU's

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I asked BC about the sockets and they had no problems with it and mentioned that as long as its not in the kitchen/bathroom or a new ring then it would not be notifiable

The electrical work on its own would not be notifiable, but notifiable or not it must comply with Part P, which applies to any work whatsoever on fixed electrical cables or fixed electrical equipment located on the consumer’s side of the electricity supply meter which operate at low or extra-low voltage and are—
(a) in or attached to a dwelling;
(b) in the common parts of a building serving one or more dwellings, but excluding power supplies to lifts;
(c) in a building that receives its electricity from a source located within or shared with a dwelling; or
(d) in a garden or in or on land associated with a building where the electricity is from a source located within or shared with a dwelling.

but would have to conform to standards i.e. what the rules are for any other council out there?

Let's hope they don't expect it to comply fully with the Wiring Regulations.

 

[GaryMo]

Sockets and the interior lighting on the same circuit won't comply with 314.2

That's already been discussed and is incorrect.

Should we ban the use of a submain?

Don't apply 314.2 too literally!

 

[Rob_Quads]

Let's hope they don't expect it to comply fully with the Wiring Regulations.

And why would it not? As mentioned Sockets and the interior lighting on the same circuit can comply with 314.2 which is a very poorly wored regulation

 

[ban-all-sheds]

And why would it not?

612 & Chapter 63.

 

[Rob_Quads]

I agree I will not be carrying out full testing on the work but I don't think that means that the work is not to spec. Cuurently there is no requirement for the work I am going to be carrying out to be certified and thus tested.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I agree I will not be carrying out full testing on the work but I don't think that means that the work is not to spec.

It does, because testing and certification is required for compliance with BS 7671.

Cuurently there is no requirement for the work I am going to be carrying out to be certified and thus tested.

Unless you told LABC that your method of compliance with Part P would be compliance with BS 7671, or unless they ask for an MWC...