Kitchen plinth and cabinet lights

[Jupiter01]

Can I get some advice with this please.
I want to be be able to operate all of these light from a light switch as opposed to a plug and socket.

The plinth lights have a plug and the cabinet lights require a transformer.

Can I do the following:
- treat the socket for the plinth lights (LAP Apollo White 15mm Outdoor LED Deck Light Kit Polished Stainless Steel 2.6W 10 x 2.5lm 10 Pack | Decking Lights | Screwfix.com) as a lighting point i.e. take a live in and out (to next light) and run a switch cable to my switch. Whenever this switch is activated, the socket will have power
- I can then have another leg of cable that goes from this socket to the next cabinet lights and from here to the next (cabinets are at different part of the room and not necessarily linked. Hence the need for these separate cable runs). All of these cable runs would be live when the switch is activated as they will be wired off the socket.

I intend to use 1.5mm cable for all of this. I think I did something similar a few years ago but doubting it now as I have a plug powered by a lighting circuit. It will only ever be used for this. Perhaps I can change the fuse in this plug to 5amp too?

 

[RandomGrinch]

No need for a socket, just cut the plug off, and connect the lead to a suitable junction box?

 

[bernardgreen]

No need for a socket, just cut the plug off

The problem with that is that if ( when ) the "transformer" goes faulty and trips the MCB then until the lead can be removed from the junction box it may be impossible to reset the MCB

 

[RandomGrinch]

The problem with that is that if ( when ) the "transformer" goes faulty and trips the MCB then until the lead can be removed from the junction box it may be impossible to reset the MCB

I may be being silly, but why would that be any different to any other PSU based LED lighting on the lighting circuit?

 

[bernardgreen]

but why would that be any different to any other PSU based LED lighting

The use of a plug and socket provides a means for rapid isolation of a damaged PSU.

 

[RandomGrinch]

The use of a plug and socket provides a means for rapid isolation of a damaged PSU.

Compromise? I do use these on my led light fittings:
https://www.toolstation.com/greenbrook-lighting-connector/p79534

 

[bernardgreen]

Compromise? I do use these on my led light fittings

A good solution,

 

[securespark]

Will these be on a lighting circuit or fused connection unit, fused at 6A max?

 

[Jupiter01]

Will these be on a lighting circuit or fused connection unit, fused at 6A max?

On a lighting circuit. I could change the fuse in the plug for the lights

 

[Jupiter01]

What plug?

Plug for the plinth lights that would go into the socket I propose to fit

 

[bernardgreen]

It is not bad practise and is acceptable to both professional electricians and most importantly it is not banned by the people who write the regulations that aim to ensure electrical installations are safe.

 

[Jupiter01]

Why can't you use the connector suggested in post 6?

I can remove the plug and whip on one of these connectors but the supply cables include a live in, live out, switch and another one to simultaneously power another set of plinth lights. This will require a junction box before I use the connector that’s being mentioned. Thought that the plug and socket would be simpler.

 

[sparkwright]

If you want to use a 13amp socket, this is fine - might be a good idea to really, because there will be a day when all that fancy lighting packs up, and when you buy your replacement kit, there will be a good chance the transformer will be one of those black things built into the plug (known as a wall wart).

And no, I can't see anyone prising off the plinth, and plugging in heaters and stuff.

If you like, print a nice label saying 'lighting only' and stick it on the socket.

 

[Jupiter01]

when you buy your replacement kit, there will be a good chance the transformer will be one of those black things built into the plug

Is that the black bulky transformers you sometimes have - instead of a conventional plug? If yes, will the socket method on the lighting circuit suffice in that situation too? I assume that it comes down to the low amount of current these lights will be pulling.

Thanks for all the responses.

 

[RandomGrinch]

I can remove the plug and whip on one of these connectors but the supply cables include a live in, live out, switch and another one to simultaneously power another set of plinth lights. This will require a junction box before I use the connector that’s being mentioned. Thought that the plug and socket would be simpler.

Just to be fair to the connectors I mentioned, they are designed for direct connection to a lighting circuit - they are in effect a junction box, and do have 4 terminals on the female side for loop through - 5 terminal versions are also available!