Kitchen Cabinet Lights on lights circuit?

[clinkerman]

I'm half way through a total kitchen upgrade and all my electrics are in place and plastered in and I've just taken delivery of wall units which will have concealed lighting under.
The light fittings have also arrived and they have a 3 pin 240V plug on them....whoops....the feed already in place comes from my lighting circuit.


I've no intention of putting a socket on the light circuit unless marked "LIGHTS ONLY" or is it best to just cut the plug off and fit a mini junction box.

Any suggestions please.
PS. Ripping down new ceiling and spur off ring main is not an option

Thanks

 

[slippyr4]

how does your lighting cable come out of the wall or ceiling? is there a box there? you could use an fcu, or even a flex outlet plate.

 

[clinkerman]

Thanks for replying

There is a junction box (now hidden in the ceiling space) and cable comes down the wall behind plaster (PVC sheath protected) to a hole in the plaster which will be behind wall units. At the moment there is just a connector block & tape on the end.
What is a fcu ?
The light fitting install notes states "may also be connected to a fused spur (after removal of the plug) but required protection by a 3amp fuse"
Would I need the fuse ? No other lights on the lighting circuit are fused !!

Cheers
Keith

 

[slippyr4]

There is a junction box (now hidden in the ceiling space)

Shouldn't be hidden. Junction boxes must remain accessible for inspection.

This is an FCU (fused connection unit), aka fused spur

cable comes down the wall behind plaster (PVC sheath protected) to a hole in the plaster which will be behind wall units.

That's not allowed. The cable is not in a "zone" (either vertically or horizontally from a socket or switch, or in the corners of the room, etc.

The best thing you could do is to use an FCU (surface mounted if you don't want to dig a hole out of the plaster) and hook the lights up there. If you put the FCU directly where the cable comes out of the wall, then your cable run becomes legal.

You should probably also read up on Part P of the Building Regulations

 

[clinkerman]

Thanks for your advise.

Did I say hidden It can be inspected by lifting a floorboard upstairs.

I can surface mount the FCU on the wall in line with the cable run right above my wall cupboard out of normal sight.

I'm glad I asked here, thanks again.

Keith

 

[delmel]

Remember to change the 13 amp fuse in the fcu unit if using that method.

 

[clinkerman]

will do