Ceiling rose for three circuit lighting track

[Peter James]

Hi,

I am thinking about suspended track lighting with three circuits and hence 5 wires - L1, L2, L3, N and E. And specifically how to connect the five core cable at the ceiling.
Is there such a thing as a ceiling rose that will allow three live connections rather than the normal single?

 

[crystal ball]

I take it you want each track to be switched independently, what have you got at your rose now?

 

[AdrianUK]

Just as an aside.....

This will only be compliant if the 'lives' are sourced from the same OCPD. Its fine for the supply to be switched by three different switches and then join up again for a common neutral.

What is not OK is for the three 'lives' to come from three different OCPDs and then feed the track via switches - this risks the common neutral being overloaded.

 

[crystal ball]

What about three phase tracks?

 

[AdrianUK]

What about three phase tracks?

Possible.... however most of the suspended lighting tracks I've met are not suitable for 400V between lives.

I did say same OCPD .... I'm classing a 3pole MCB as one OCPD

 

[crystal ball]

I doubt the op is on about TP anyway but I have installed plenty of TP track over the years, some fed from separate MCBs so if one leg tripped the others stayed on, as long as it is designed correctly, should be no problem

 

[Peter James]

So this is in a home extension and there is currently no wiring and single phase. I am speaking with my electrician next week, but want to understand a bit more so I can have an intelligent conversation.

So I guess this is more about how it will look as opposed to the electrical details. I have seen tracks fed by a cable from a normal ceiling rose - I am assuming only a single circuit.

I am guessing this will be a single live at the switches with three switches and hence switched lives going to the track.

The track will have maybe 10 lamps in total - of either 10W or 12W each.

 

[crystal ball]

No need for a rose, you could use a five core flex from the switch

 

[EFLImpudence]

I have seen tracks fed by a cable from a normal ceiling rose - I am assuming only a single circuit.

They were likely all switched at once so no different than a normal ceiling rose.

I am guessing this will be a single live at the switches with three switches and hence switched lives going to the track.

As it's new then you can take the supply cable to the switches and feed the three tracks separately.

That doesn't alter the original question but it will save a few connections at the ceiling needing only SL,N & E (one cable) at each track.

 

[Peter James]

No need for a rose, you could use a five core flex from the switch

OK - Thanks for this as it sounds the most sensible option. Hadn't thought of this as didn't know you could do that. I had assumed that I would need a normal cable in the walls and then join to the flex above the ceiling or in a rose.
So I guess I would have a faceplate with a cable hole for the tidy up where it comes through the ceiling.

 

[crystal ball]

Flex can be used in place of "normal" cable, if you make a nice neat hole it would be less noticeable than a faceplate

 

[Peter James]

Flex can be used in place of "normal" cable, if you make a nice neat hole it would be less noticeable than a faceplate

Thanks for your help.

I think I can now chat with my electrician on this.

 

[flameport]

I have installed plenty of TP track over the years, some fed from separate MCBs so if one leg tripped the others stayed on, as long as it is designed correctly, should be no problem

The problem with that is it doesn't comply with BS7671.
314.4

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

I think that could start a long discussion!

 

[crystal ball]

The problem with that is it doesn't comply with BS7671.
314.4

I agree but the guy in charge deemed it the lesser of two evils