Wiring a CCTV camera in the loft

BobbyBrown · 14 Feb 2019

Due to a neighbor being recently burgled I’d like to erect a Nest security camera just under the eaves. The only power source I can use is the upstairs lighting circuit which currently only uses about 350W (LED’s upstairs). Could / should I spur a socket off this circuit to power the camera? (5V, 1.4A)

RF Lighting · 14 Feb 2019

Yes no problem at all. You may find one poster on here will disagree but he’s not an electrician, he’s just a bit lacking in brain cells.

bernardgreen · 14 Feb 2019

Winston is wrong ( and will react badly to being told so ).

5 amp sockets for lighting are very common ( but should only be connected to lighting circuits or other circuits with 6 amp ( or lower ) fuse or MCB )

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CB7047.html

Winston gets worried that a 13 amp socket on a lighting circuit might be used for a powerful appliance or lamp that trips the 6 amp lighting circuit fuse or MCB

EFLImpudence · 14 Feb 2019

We could stop calling them lighting circuits.

It may already have a fan, a boiler and/or other things connected to it.

HERTS P&D · 14 Feb 2019

Having a camera just under the eaves will only catch the top of peoples head, it has to be much lower. Drill through the wall from the bedroom and plug it in.

Andy

cwhaley · 14 Feb 2019

Next door neighbour-but-two is a well-respected electrician and he put a camera on the soffit/eave overhang. Given the little power consumption he also spurred from the upstairs lighting with the switch marked with maximum load. I've seen the footage and it captures the face of anybody entering his driveway.

I'm only a DIY'er (hence being on this site) but I did question him about the way he did the work as I was interested myself. He said there is nothing wrong with doing it the above way and that it does not break and regulations.

EFLImpudence · 14 Feb 2019

I have a dedicated circuit to the loft in 1.5mm² T&E from a 6A MCB to two sockets for boiler and cctv camera.

Would it be alright for me to connect some lights to this circuit?

EFLImpudence · 14 Feb 2019

cwhaley said:
He said there is nothing wrong with doing it the above way and that it does not break and regulations.

More than that - it is specifically stated in the regulations that it is allowed.

Presumably to allay people like Winston - although it hasn't worked in his case.

winston1 · 14 Feb 2019

EFLImpudence said:
I have a dedicated circuit to the loft in 1.5mm² T&E from a 6A MCB to two sockets for boiler and cctv camera.

Would it be alright for me to connect some lights to this circuit?

I would say yes, provided you moved the two sockets to another circuit first, because it would become a lighting circuit.

EFLImpudence · 14 Feb 2019

winston1 said:
I would say yes, provided you moved the two sockets to another circuit first, because it would become a lighting circuit.

How can that be if I don't alter the label on the CU?

bernardgreen · 14 Feb 2019

winston1 said:
accusing anyone of lacking brain cells is an insult which should not be tolerated on these forums.

giving incorrect information is just as bad and should not be tolerated,

Your opinion about 13 sockets on lighting circuits is your personal opinion and is counter to the information in the regulations.

One does wonder if your zeal to push your opinion stems from something you did or experienced when using a 13 amp socket on a lighting circuit.

winston1 said:
Regs change as necessary and no doubt this one will change in time.

I very much doubt that it will change as it is not necessary to change it.

ninjacat · 14 Feb 2019

Slight tangent, but does it have to be a Nest camera ? Maybe you could install a camera which runs POE then you only need Ethernet cable to a DVR.

Simon35 · 14 Feb 2019

winston1 said:
I would say yes, provided you moved the two sockets to another circuit first, because it would become a lighting circuit.

Are you an electrician?

ban-all-sheds · 14 Feb 2019

winston1 said:
I would say yes, provided you moved the two sockets to another circuit first, because it would become a lighting circuit.

Can you please tell me which regulation states that if you add lights to a circuit which has sockets it must be re-designated as a lighting one, because I can't find it.

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Wiring a CCTV camera in the loft

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