1 socket 2 switches?

[Chuckles36]

Hi all, Is it possible to have 1 ring main socket but have 2 switches to operate it. Much the same as a 2 way light switch but with a mains socket instead?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Hi all, Is it possible to have 1 ring main socket but have 2 switches to operate it. Much the same as a 2 way light switch but with a mains socket instead?

No.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

What do you actually want to do?

 

[Chuckles36]

Thanks. I thought this would be the answer. I have LED strip lights which are mains powered and I have them in my stairs, so was hoping I would be able to have a switch at the top and one at the bottom.

 

[Iggifer]

I think your best bet would be to fit
http://www.screwfix.com/p/2g-13a-single-pole-switched-socket-white/30376

you could do it hardwired, but would require considerable modifications to your existing wiring (assuming the existing socket is on a ring circuit)

 

[Chuckles36]

Thanks very much. I will look at that.

 

[Chuckles36]

Changing tack slightly then, when you say hard wired, could I swap the existing light fitting with this?

 

[JohnW2]

Thanks. I thought this would be the answer. I have LED strip lights which are mains powered and I have them in my stairs, so was hoping I would be able to have a switch at the top and one at the bottom.

You could wire them exactly as you would any other 2-way lighting setup, with 2-way switches at top and bottom of the stairs, and then power that setup from a plug (with a suitably small fuse to suit the cable concerned) plugged into one of your sockets - but why not have it wired into a lighting circuit in the usual way?

Kind Regards, John

 

[Chuckles36]

Thanks john.

So I could replace the existing light fitting with the mains power supply for the LED therefore running off the existing light circuit and existing 2 way switches that are already in place.

This would be a great solution if my understanding is correct?

Thanks

 

[JohnW2]

Thanks john. So I could replace the existing light fitting with the mains power supply for the LED therefore running off the existing light circuit and existing 2 way switches that are already in place. This would be a great solution if my understanding is correct?

If my understanding of what you're saying is correct, then, yes, you can do that (the power supply for the LED is effectively the same as any other light fitting) - but don't you want/need to retain the 'existing light fitting' as well as the LEDs?

Kind Regards, John

 

[Chuckles36]

To be honest its such a small area at the bottom of my stairs the LEDs are plenty enough light.

Thanks again.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

As John has correctly stated it would be possible to wire the socket in a fashion that a two way functional switching operation could be performed on the socket outlet.
If the circuit if being taken from the ring final circuit, it would ideally require down fusing to at least 13 Amps and switches rated at at least that used. it would be likely that 20A switches would be available and the use of 1.5mm three core and earth could be used on the down fused part of the circuit.

If taking the supply from the lighting circuit, then becomes a little trickier, as the socket outlet would be used on an appliance rated at less than the standards recognise as suitable for the standard socket outlet. You could if possible replace the plug of the LED supply cable/flex to 5A plug and install a 5A socket outlet. This may not be possible if the plug has the integrated transformer.

 

[Chuckles36]

Thanks for all the help guys. Its much appreciated.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

So I could replace the existing light fitting with the mains power supply for the LED therefore running off the existing light circuit and existing 2 way switches that are already in place.

It's a PSU with a trailing lead, not a wall-wart?

Don't forget that if the ceiling rose has the loop running through it you'll need to provide terminals for the permanent live and the earth.

http://www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:lighting