Good morning
I'd be extremely grateful for feedback on best practice for connecting LED strips (via an LED driver) into a UK 5amp wiring circuit so they can be operated from a wall switch.
Variations of this question have been asked in the past and I've read all the older threads, including: //www.diynot.com/forums/electrics/wiring-led-light-strips-into-lighting-circuit.318979/#2355626
I know my electrician will ultimately have to do this, just trying to get a consensus beforehand if it's allowed and safe.
My question is different to previous ones as it includes detail about power consumption.
HERE'S MY SCENARIO
I would like to connect 11.2 metres of LED strip (3528 smd 300 led) to a 5amp lighting circuit.
Power consumption is 53 watts (11.2 m x 4.8 watts per metre) so I figure I need a 5amp 60 watt LED driver.
Question 1: Can (in theory) a 5amp (60 watt) LED driver be run from a 5amp lighting circuit?
I know the output of the driver is DC12V 5amp, but does this mean that the "input" is 5amp too and ok to go on a 5amp circuit? Sorry if this is an ultra-dump question. The driver I'd like to use says INPUT: AC100-240V 0.8Max 50-60HZ if that helps.
(The load on the rest of the circuit around the house is low : approx 6 x 40w - 60w table lamps)
Question 2 : If possible in theory, is it likely an electrician would approve of the following set-up:
1. Take a 5amp plug (the little ones which are un-fused) and wire this to a dedicated wall-mounted fused-spur with a 5amp fuse installed (to overcome the lack of fuse in the plug and provide extra protection before the circuit board).
2. Take the cable from the 5amp fused spur and wire it to a 1-gang trailing edge socket (with a standard 13amp socket).
3. Plug my 5amp 60 watt driver into the trailing edge socket using its standard 13amp 3 pin connector.
4. Cable-tie the driver plug to the trailing edge socket and lock-it in place so no other appliances could be connected to the lighting circuit by mistake. (I could even put the whole lot in one of the big plastic junction boxes to further reduce the risk of the trailing edge socket being mis-used).
Very grateful for any feedback.
Thank you - Jason
I'd be extremely grateful for feedback on best practice for connecting LED strips (via an LED driver) into a UK 5amp wiring circuit so they can be operated from a wall switch.
Variations of this question have been asked in the past and I've read all the older threads, including: //www.diynot.com/forums/electrics/wiring-led-light-strips-into-lighting-circuit.318979/#2355626
I know my electrician will ultimately have to do this, just trying to get a consensus beforehand if it's allowed and safe.
My question is different to previous ones as it includes detail about power consumption.
HERE'S MY SCENARIO
I would like to connect 11.2 metres of LED strip (3528 smd 300 led) to a 5amp lighting circuit.
Power consumption is 53 watts (11.2 m x 4.8 watts per metre) so I figure I need a 5amp 60 watt LED driver.
Question 1: Can (in theory) a 5amp (60 watt) LED driver be run from a 5amp lighting circuit?
I know the output of the driver is DC12V 5amp, but does this mean that the "input" is 5amp too and ok to go on a 5amp circuit? Sorry if this is an ultra-dump question. The driver I'd like to use says INPUT: AC100-240V 0.8Max 50-60HZ if that helps.
(The load on the rest of the circuit around the house is low : approx 6 x 40w - 60w table lamps)
Question 2 : If possible in theory, is it likely an electrician would approve of the following set-up:
1. Take a 5amp plug (the little ones which are un-fused) and wire this to a dedicated wall-mounted fused-spur with a 5amp fuse installed (to overcome the lack of fuse in the plug and provide extra protection before the circuit board).
2. Take the cable from the 5amp fused spur and wire it to a 1-gang trailing edge socket (with a standard 13amp socket).
3. Plug my 5amp 60 watt driver into the trailing edge socket using its standard 13amp 3 pin connector.
4. Cable-tie the driver plug to the trailing edge socket and lock-it in place so no other appliances could be connected to the lighting circuit by mistake. (I could even put the whole lot in one of the big plastic junction boxes to further reduce the risk of the trailing edge socket being mis-used).
Very grateful for any feedback.
Thank you - Jason