New light wiring help please

[JohnW2]

I'm a bit confused ....

... does your aerial amplifier use a plugtop power supply? ... if it does you will require a suitable socket rather than a FCU.

Yes it does, but I can always just chop that off and shove it into the fcu.

You can't chop the plug off if it is the transformer!

It's not, it's just a 3amp moulded plug.

Kind Regards, John

 

[securespark]

Moi, aussi!

 

[winston1]

Are we sure a nice 3amp fcu isn't required. I

Absolutely not required. A 3amp fuse will no discrimination against a 6amp MCB in your CU. FCUs are not intended to be used on lighting circuits.

 

[securespark]

A bit like 1363 sockets?

 

[winston1]

A bit like 1363 sockets?

That is an awful lot of sockets on one circuit.

 

[securespark]

Very droll.

Are you saying there is a limit to the number of outlets on one circuit?

That aside,

FCUs are not intended to be used on lighting circuits.

If you are going to state things like this people like me are going to follow you round with messages like this:

The wiring regulations state that, amongst other accessories, BS1363 socket outlets (standard three pin sockets) and connection units to BS1363-4 (what you describe as "FCUs") can be connected to a lighting circuit.

So please stop telling people these accessories are not intended to be used on lighting circuits when the wiring regulations specifically list them, amongst others, as accessories that can.

 

[winston1]

Whatever the regs say, it is clearly bad practice to put accessories on a lighting circuit capable of 13 amps when the circuit is protected by a 6 or 10 amp breaker.

 

[securespark]

The people compiling the regs (along with many of its qualified users) think not.

 

[winston1]

The people compiling the regs (along with many of its qualified users) think not.

Quote from SUNRAY in another thread:

Well if we're talking about the number of errors, perhaps we should throw the regs book away too.

Read more: https://www.diynot.com/diy/threads/...dditional-sockets.561394/page-2#ixzz6jzMvykxh

Really says it all.

 

[securespark]

Now you're suggesting there is an error so big, it comprises a whole regulation?

I'd like to ask you three questions.

Are you a qualified electrician?

Have you alerted the IET to what you believe is an error in their text?
If so, what was their response?

If not, why don't you do that, rather than complaining about it here?

 

[bernardgreen]

it is clearly bad practice to put accessories on a lighting circuit

it is clearly bad practice in the mind of Winston! to put accessories on a lighting circuit.

So far Winston1 has never given any reason why it is bad practise.

 

[TheCovidYears]

Wow, this escalated quickly . To be fair, all my upstairs sockets are routed through the loft (yay) so adding a double socket up there is not beyond the realms of possibility, but I suspect a 3amp booster is not going to upset my lighting circuit and it will have the isolation of the FCU too, all labelled up so anybody else who chances upon them realises.

 

[Sureitsoff?]

just use a suitably labelled socket for the aerial amp. easier to just unplug if it fails or for maintenance rather than rewiring the connection to the fcu

 

[winston1]

Wow, this escalated quickly . To be fair, all my upstairs sockets are routed through the loft (yay) so adding a double socket up there is not beyond the realms of possibility, but I suspect a 3amp booster is not going to upset my lighting circuit and it will have the isolation of the FCU too, all labelled up so anybody else who chances upon them realises.

I keep saying YOU DON'T NEED THE FCU. An ordinary light switch can isolate it if you like.

 

[winston1]

it is clearly bad practice in the mind of Winston! to put accessories on a lighting circuit.

So far Winston1 has never given any reason why it is bad practice.

There is no problem with accessories on a lighting circuit if properly done. A 13 amp socket is not properly done.

I have explained why it is bad practice many times. Namely the temptation to plug in a large load and take out the lighting circuit. In a loft plunged into darkness this could result in a foot or even whole body through the ceiling.