Adding to lighting circuit

[nickb69]

I want to change the 4 spot light in my kitchen to 8 x 50 watt downlights.

The house only has one lighting circuit for most of the lights. There is a circuit for the converted garage lights and one for the door bell and outside light.

I don't want to overload the circuit, so intend to extend the garage or door bell circuit to the kitchen.

The garage circuit current runs 9 x 50 watts spots.

I thought the door bell circuit would be best. So is it OK to run a new 1.5mm cable through the loft and down into the kitchen lights and the other end connect into the fuse box onto the same 6amp fuse as the door bell circuit. Meaning two sets of wiring from the one fuse.

If this is OK, is it OK if I do the work myself. I read the post on part P etc. If I do it myself do I inform building regs (or whoever) of the work and they inspect.

Thanks for the prompt reply as I am on a deadline to get the ceiling plastered.

 

[sparky40]

Hello,
In my opinion I would connect the new lights into the 'bell' circuit breaker ( 6a ??? ), I always try to leave the 'outside' lighting on it's own as many fittings, even if installed as directed, often have problems with dampness etc.
I believe that if the ceiling has to be fire rated that firehoods are also required, these may cost more than the lights themselves (and are a pleasure to fit correctly, not ! ) An alternative is to use the fire rated lights that come as a complete unit, although when I recently returned 12 that I had fitted, my wholesaler had a shed load of the things that had been returned as the heat from the lamp breaks the lampholder down and the lamps can simply drop out of the fitting , red hot lamps at that !

I try and talk customers around when they mention downlighters, I'm not saying you, but many people think it's a standard pendant, B+Q jobbie or downlights, but there are lighting specialists nowdays that sell quality 'task' lighting.

May I ask if you are intending to fit low voltage or mains voltage downlights ??
Are you thinking of fitting a dimmer switch at a later date ? as having fitted a 'swith-box' that is deep enough for you to fit one may not be your only problem. ( dimmable transformers ? )
I could ramble on about my personal anti downlight campaign but I reckon you've had enough by now,

Hope this was of some help..




.........................................and that focused beam, whats all that about !

 

[nickb69]

The outside light is the same circuit as the door bell. The converted garage is the other circuit. I am worried that the current main circuit may be overloaded as there is only one circuit for the rest of the house. 3 bedrooms, bath room, landing, hall, lounge, diningroom and kitchen.

I have ordered 8 x 50w spots each with their own transformer from a lighting specialist.

http://www.stopbox.co.uk/ceiling-lights/12v-downlight/fixed-white

I will probably not fit dimmers as there really is no room for the switches. The current setup uses a slimline switch, which I will replace for a double switch and have 2 banks.

There is plenty of room in the floor space, over 200mm. They are low voltage ones as per the link.

I take your point on lighting, but the house, which we have just bought has many downlights and seem to work very well, so just continuing the theme.

My main question is whether it is OK to add the extra wires the the current 6 amp breaker, along with the other cable feeding either the bell and outside light or converted garage circuit. The garage circuit has 6 x 50w + 3 x 50w and I would assume the extractor fan on it. The circuit would only total 900w with kitchen added.

The ceiling will be plaster boarded over the existing plasterboard, so I was going to notch the plasterboard to run the cable under the beams and then cover in metal plates, then the new plasterboard will cover if all up. Comments please.

Also, is 8 spot too many for a 13 foot by 8 foot room.

Thanks for the help.

 

[sparky40]

Ok downlighters it is...
So long as you clearly label the circuit at the consumer unit I don't see a problem here, as for doubling up, although not the ideal way, it is ok as you've calculated the loading ( and done an efli ) and there is no problems there.

In this situation I usually cut a channel out of the existing ceiling big enough to get my drill in, to drill out the joists then you can 'fish' the cabling and cable between the joists etc, as you are having it re-tacked there is no need to make good this 'cut-out'.
Maybe cutting a larger hole in the existing ceiling where the lights are to be may be an idea , as some downlight fittings do not fit properly into a double tacked ceiling.

Hope this helps.

 

[nickb69]

Great help.

Would 6 or 8 spot be best based on the sizes above.

Thanks

 

[sparky40]

Glad to be some help.

With regards to the number of lights, it is down to personal taste, six or eight is ok. Fewer lights means less initial cost and two less transformers/lamps to maintain etc.

Good luck with it.