Door Switch Surface - 2amp?

[jonwestuk]

Hi,

I am about to fit a cupboard switch in my under stair cupboard which will drive a 9w led light strip which will be ceiling mounted. Before I carry out the work I have a quick regulation/safety question before I complete the work.

All the cupboard switches I have seen (like this) are 240v and 2 amp. As this is 2 amp and the circuit breaker is 6amp at the fuse box then my instinct is that I will need to include a fuse before the switch to stop some idiot in the future extending the circuit or wiring something daft into the circuit?

I wonder whether this is actually required and whether the fuse is only strictly necessary when adding a plug in which someone could plug a device with an unknown load? I am guessing that hard-wired devices do not need such fuses as the fitter should be making the appropriate load calculations to ensure that risks are minimised

I may just put a fused switch in anyhow as I would like a switch to override the cupboard switch so I could therefore use a switch with a fuse built in (like this).

Thanks for your help, I do like knowing the regulations, rules and best practice before starting any work!

Jon

 

[EFLImpudence]

Your 9W LED will draw 0.0375 Amps, one twenty-sixth, (well, maybe a bit more) so will not damage the switch.

No fuse necessary.

Idiots in the future are not your concern.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

this

Depending on what holds the door shut, you might like to beware of that type. The spring inside is remarkable strong, and can push a door open if it uses magnetic catches or sprung hinges. If you do use that sort of switch then put it as close to the hinge side as possible.

Better, if you can, to recess one like this:

into the hinge side of the frame.

 

[jonwestuk]

this

Depending on what holds the door shut, you might like to beware of that type. The spring inside is remarkable strong, and can push a door open if it uses magnetic catches or sprung hinges. If you do use that sort of switch then put it as close to the hinge side as possible.

Better, if you can, to recess one like this:

into the hinge side of the frame.

Thanks, really useful information.