Hi, I want to move a bedroom light switch to a new position, the cable comes from the centre light to the switch, I was going to cut the T&E in the loft and join a new length to it, I think the original cable is 1.5mm - would it be OK to use 1.0mm to extend it ? Thanks
Light switch cable
- Thread starter DaveOC
- Start date
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Yes.
It sounds as if the join will probably be 'accessible' (in your loft) but, if not, it would have to me done using some sort of 'maintenance-free' joining method (ask if that's the case).
Kind Regards, John
It sounds to me that you could just as easily run the new cable all the way to the ceiling light and not need a junction box.
Also a bit of cable is cheaper than a junction box,
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That obviously 'depends'.
Specifically it seems to depend heavilly on whether the junction box needs to be a BS5733 maintenance free one. Comparing some prices on screwfix.
1.0mm² T&E costs £12.40 (inc VAT) for 25m which works out to just under 50p a meter.
A basic round junction box sells for 69p, so If you don't need MF it doesn't take much cable for the JB to be cheaper.
Screwfix list the Debox SL as "maintenance free", however I can find no mention of BS5733 on either the screwfix listing of the manufacturers site. A term like "maintenance free" is meaningless without a reference to the appropriate standard.
They sell the classic wagobox for £1.70 and they sell suitable terminals for a straight through extension at £10.49 for 100. So you are talking about £2 on average for a complete extension box if you are buying in bulk, but a lot more if you just need one box.
Indeed - but, as I said, it sounded as if an MF JB would probably not be required - since, if the OP was able to effect the jointing in the loft, then the joint was probably going to remain 'accessible'.
Kind Regards, John
Sure, but if we thought in terms of any (currently 'accessible') JB which someone might possibly subsequently render 'inaccessible', I'm not sure that (m)any non-MF ones would be left
Kind Regards, John
Not something we need to consider.
Unless of course we know the boards are going down.
Thanks everyone, It is accessible and boards are already down which is why I joined the cable as it would be a pain lifting up the boards to get to the ceiling rose,
Only wanted to check that connecting 1mm to a 1.5mm switch cable is OK. Thank you
Only wanted to check that connecting 1mm to a 1.5mm switch cable is OK. Thank you
Fair enough.
Yes, as I said at the very start, that's fine. In fact (as I'm surprised someone hasn't already 'mentioned' this!), although very commonly used in lighting circuits, 1.5mm² cable is actually way OTT for the purpose, and 1mm² is more than enough - and joining the two is not an issue/problem.
Kind Regards, John
Excellent, thanks for the clear information.
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