Plug socket from Light circuit for low amp usage

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I need to plug in one of those USB plugs that has 5V output with 1.5A rating to operate a WiFi ceiling mounted PTZ camera. The only power source is above in the loft and it's a lighting circuit. I know running a socket of the lighting circuit is a no-no because of the limited load it can cope with. But seeing as what I am using it for is a single USB charger and if I label it will this be ok? I could also put a fuse socket with a 1A fuse maybe but wondering if 1A will blow considering the USB charger says 5V 1.5A
 
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It is common to use a lighting supply when really we should not, for example to power a TV booster. However you should try your best to stop it being used for other items, a socket cover
PlugSocketCover.jpg
can be locked off, so fit one on a USB socket and no one could in error use it. But is room for USB plug. But USB only would be better these
ae235
would do the job fine. With one of these what do you think.
 
I know running a socket of the lighting circuit is a no-no because of the limited load it can cope with. But seeing as what I am using it for is a single USB charger and if I label it will this be ok?

It's not a "no-no", because the MCB in your consumer unit will trip safely if you take too much current long before the cable melts and burns the house down. Assuming that you have a 6A MCB and nothing stupidly dodgy in the lighting wiring.
 
To be honest I've never understood what a lighting circuit is. Same for cooker circuits. It's common to have fans on the lighting circuit and it's common to have a socket on the cooker circuit. In our case Ive designed the cooker circuit in 10mm² to supply an instant water heater, and a spur to an fcu on the other side of the kitchen that powers the oven in 2.5mm cable. So it's not really a cooker circuit.
Personally I think they're all just circuits - you can get away with slightly more if you use the standard circuits, but in the end you just have to design your circuit to handle what it need to.
 
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To be honest I've never understood what a lighting circuit is. Same for cooker circuits. ...
I agree totally.

However, I do understand what, say, 6A, 20A, 32A and 40A circuits are, and those (not myself) who have concerns about what the OP wants to do are presumably concerned about having a "13A socket" (i.e. one into which a load of up to 13A could be plugged) fed by a "6A circuit".

I personally don't see a significant problem. The worst that could happen is that the circuit could be overloaded and the OPD operate, which is hardly the end of the world (and similar could happen if people plugged two or three heavy loads into, say, a 20A radial circuit), and the risk of even that happening can be minimised by appropriately labelling the socket, or even mechanically 'attaching' the intended plug to the socket.

Kind Regards, John
 
Never put a 13 amp socket on a lighting circuit. One day someone will plug a kettle or fan heater into it and you will have no lights.
 
Never put a 13 amp socket on a lighting circuit. One day someone will plug a kettle or fan heater into it and you will have no lights.
In that case, never have more than one (certainly no more than two) 13A socket outlets on a 20A radial circuit. If there is more than one outlet (and certainly if there is more than two), then one day someone may (will?) plug in two or more 13A loads and you will have no power on the circuit.

Kind Regards, John
 
Is there one of those olde worlde 5A round-pin sockets available with a USB outlet for this sort of situation?
 
Can you not just put a fused connection unit in between the feed and the socket and pop a 3 amp fuse in it (label it up as 3 amp only)?
 
Can you not just put a fused connection unit in between the feed and the socket and pop a 3 amp fuse in it (label it up as 3 amp only)?
You could, but pointless. the circuit is already protected by a 6A MCB.
Which would go first, do you think,
3A BS1362 fuse or a 6A MCB?
 
Can you not just put a fused connection unit in between the feed and the socket and pop a 3 amp fuse in it (label it up as 3 amp only)?

FCUs are not used or necessary on lighting circuits.
 
I need to plug in one of those USB plugs that has 5V output with 1.5A rating to operate a WiFi ceiling mounted PTZ camera. The only power source is above in the loft and it's a lighting circuit. I know running a socket of the lighting circuit is a no-no because of the limited load it can cope with. But seeing as what I am using it for is a single USB charger and if I label it will this be ok? I could also put a fuse socket with a 1A fuse maybe but wondering if 1A will blow considering the USB charger says 5V 1.5A

Hi, MK electrical manufacture usb a 2g euro module which can be connected directly to you're lighting circuit. I would install a non switched 13a socket, marked 'lighting circuit' and be done with it !

DS
 
I agree that the labeling is the most important thing for any socket as described above.
 

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