How is this done?

[alias51]

I have an under-cabinet light, that appears to be connected to the mains.



I'm curious - what is actually happening here? Is this likely a [transformer box?] wired in [parallel?] to the socket below?

Is it a common setup for under-cabinet lights? If I want to do this on more cabinets, is there a better/easier way?

Thanks!

 

[magicmushroom666]

That's just a junction box. Likely fed from the rooms lighting circuit otherwise it wouldn't turn on with the rooms light switch. If it can only be turned on by a switch on the light body itself regardless of the rooms lighting it could be fed from the socket or anywhere.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Is this likely a [transformer box?] wired in [parallel?]

Probably. What is the voltage of the tube?

to the socket below?

Could be; can't tell from here.
How do they switch on?
Which circuit breaker or fuse stops them working?

Is it a common setup for under-cabinet lights? If I want to do this on more cabinets, is there a better/easier way?

It's up to you.
It depends on the wiring. Where does the cable come from into the junction box?

You may, if long enough, have the cable passing up behind the units and have all the 'works' on top.

 

[alias51]

It's "always on", i.e. the lamp itself is the only on/off, so I assume from the socket?

The lamp is rated "230VAC 50hz 12VA", does that mean it can come straight from the mains with no transformer?

 

[EFLImpudence]

It's "always on", i.e. the lamp itself is the only on/off, so I assume from the socket?

Not necessarily. You would/should have a fused connector unit somewhere if wired from a socket.

The lamp is rated "230VAC 50hz 12VA", does that mean it can come straight from the mains with no transformer?

Yes.

 

[alias51]

You would/should have a fused connector unit somewhere if wired from a socket.

Could this be in the junction box?

 

[EFLImpudence]

No.

Switch of the relevant light circuit MCB or fuse and see if it still works.

 

[alias51]

If its wired from the socket, when I switch the circuit the socket is on off, won't the light also turn off? This is what appears to be happening.

 

[Taylortwocities]

when I switch the circuit

Where are you "switching" the circuit.

Given where the junction box is, have a peek on the top of the cabinet. It may reveal a fused connection point

which is where the lights are actually powered from.

 

[ericmark]

That looks like a IEC 60320 type C13/C14 connector

which is a socket and in a bathroom your not permitted a socket within 3 meters of the bath so I would think that does not comply?

 

[EFLImpudence]

That looks like a IEC 60320 type C13/C14 connector which is a socket and in a bathroom your not permitted a socket within 3 meters of the bath so I would think that does not comply?

Does it?

What about these?

 

[ericmark]

Ups saw tiles and assumed bathroom. Anyway it should be 230 volt with that connector.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

View attachment 95697

The lamp is rated "230VAC 50hz 12VA", does that mean it can come straight from the mains with no transformer?

More a case of "must" than "can".

OK - you could use a 1:1 isolating transformer, but why?

 

[DaveHerns]

I thought the box was a ceiling pull cord switch missing the pull cord! Must get new glasses