Using light switch for Cold Cathode tube transformer

[Paul_Thomas]

We are just building an extension which includes a new Kitchen, I have notified BCO that I will be wiring the extension up.

I would like to use some cheap cold cathode tubes http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/51686 to provide a lighting effect under the cabinets by the plinth.

I plan on powering them via a low wattage PC power supply (With fan disabled because of noise). - This will be mounted on top of high cabinets so that it has plenty of air circulation and is inaccessible to kids etc.

I would like them to be switched on/off via a standard wall light switch (Possibly 3 gang for other kitchen lighting circuits). Can I wire a FCU with a 3amp fuse and a flex outlet plate into a lighting circuit for this purpose?

Or is there a better way to do it?

 

[sm1thson]

a couple of points:

-PC power supply might not be the best idea, if its <10 years old you need a decent steady load connected for it to work (the cold cathodes might not be enough so you will need to add a dummy load), and disconnecting the fan is not a good idea. also they leak to earth due to the filters in them, so the less you have in a house the better. they have a high inrush current (not good for switches etc) and they are prone to blowing up because they use underrated capacitors in them. I use a PC power supply for testing electronics projects, but i wouldnt leave one on top of my kitchen units with the fan disconnected.

-i am a bit unsure on which circuit you are taking the FCU off, if you are taking it off the ring, note you cant then go to a 3 gang light switch on the lighting circuit as it must be possible to isolate the circuits within the switch from a single device.

 

[Paul_Thomas]

Point taken as far as PC Power supply, I will consider working out the load and get a stable 12v supply from CPC or RS.

I was looking to take it off the lighting circuit, as it is low consumption and I want to have a seperate switch to operate it from the wall (May be 2 way).

Hope that makes more sense?

 

[sm1thson]

yep. i queried the fcu as its common in a kitchen to power the under cupboard lights of the sockets circuit via an FCU, so when you started talking 3 gang switches i was just making sure you werent mixing the 2.

sounds fine to me but Im not a spark, i have allways wondered how the BCO's deal with such custom designs.

 

[Paul_Thomas]

I was talking 3 Gang in terms of 3 seperate lighting circuits in the kitchen, 2 set of spots and the cold cathode tubes.