Installing new wall lights

[SteAppo]

Hi all

I am planning to install two wall lights in my front room and have a couple of questions. I plan to do this by running a spur from a near by socket to a switched fuse connector using 2.5mm2 twin and earth. from this i will run a 1mm2 twin and earth to the light fitting. I will be doing the same thing again for the second light as running the second light fitting from a JB would be difficult without damaging the ceiling.

You've probably guessed im not an electrician, and i am planning this from a B&Q DIY book! Firslty does the above sound ok?

Also, the cable will only run vertical (first down from the socket then up at the point i want the light to be from under the florr boards), and i will enclose them in conduit. Is it easy to make an channel for the conduit using a bolster chisle? In the book it says i need a 3amp connector box, i could only find a 13amp. do they come in 3amp or does that just refer to the fuse i put in it?

Thanks for any input, dont worry i wont attempt this until im confident i know what im doing Im not as daft as this post probably makes me sound!

 

[jj4091]

My advice would be do not bother, it is ging to look really naff with FCUs, buy a couple of table lamps instead

 

[fatty]

Is there any regulation preventing the spur cable running horizontally in the wall to the new fused switch and then from the switch vertically to the light?

 

[SteAppo]

Your not going to see the FCU any more than you will see a plug sicket at present. You can get fairly smart ones without the horrid red light etc now, they pretty much look identicle to a regular light switch unless you get close up. The switch will be down the side of the chimney breast near a couch so it will be the same as tunring on a lamp, only the wall lights will come on instead!

I'm now planning to run the 2.5 down under floor boards to a JB, then run the two lighting cables from here, so the switch will operate both lights.

Appart from you consmetic opinion (which i do value), is they anything else i should be aware of? Can i but the 13amp FCU and put a 3amp fuse in it?

Any comments are appreciated.

Regards


Ste

 

[Steve]

Is the JB accessible under the floorboards?

 

[SteAppo]

hmm... from reading other posts on here i guess it has to be by regulation, is that right?!?

Where do you usually see JB?

It will be accessible if you lift the carpet and a floor board - i guess its a question of whether thats is deemed accessible, and i would hazzard a guess that it would not be.

Where else could i put it if under the floor boards is deemed as not acceptable?

 

[comms]

Install sfcu (for isolation) to ring main (2.5mm t/e to supply terminals. 1.5mm from load terminals) choose your route (keeping to the correct zones of course) for the 1.5 or 1.0mm t/e up to wall light locations, then I would install one of these below each wall light (I also use these behind wall lights to accomodate the chocblock connection),

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Boxes_and_Enclosures_Index/Flush_Boxes_1/index.html

Then use these switches,

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_In...essories/Wall_Switches_White_4_Arc/index.html

Use a 3 amp fuse in the sfcu

 

[SteAppo]

Nice touch, and a nice switch also

Thanks for the advice i may use that. I am at a stage where i am just happy that i have managed to do something correct and it works, but i should pay a little more attention to detail and make it look professional (as well as working).

Also you raised a good point about a back box for the actual wall light. Is there a standard for wall lights or does it depend on what light you choose? I might be best getting the Mrs to choose the lights so i know what i am working with as apposed to just having two wires sicking out of some conduit.

 

[comms]

Also you raised a good point about a back box for the actual wall light. Is there a standard for wall lights.

Depends on what type of wall light your going to use. I Use the architrave back box as it's narrower than most wall lights, so the lights straddle it nicely.
But if it's a light with a large base you could equally use a conduit box like this.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/MT20BX1.html

 

[SteAppo]

Thanks mate!

I take it tlc-direct is a good site to order from?

Ill take some pics of the finnished project and frame them (if it works)