Wiring lights up in parallel

[zemphis]

Can anyone please check my attached diagram to see if i have the right idea about wiring them correctly. I hope the diagram isnt too odd but it shows a cable coming from the fusebox to a switch then through each of the holders. This would only be a temporary wiring setup for the loft with 3 lamps (40w each) being switched on and off together from one end. I want to wire in parallel as opposed to series because i dont wish to add separate switches to each lamp. Also it means if the first lamp dies the other two will still light up. Would this work and should i make any changes? thanks

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• zemphis
• 20 Aug 2010
• 2

 

[Adam_151]

- Installing a new circuit is notifiable
- You should use 1mm or 1.5mm twin and earth, not 0.75 flex or anything else
- How do you plan to connect the switch?
- You'd still wire the lights in parralel regardless of how you wanted them switching, you'd only wire them in series if you like living in teh (relativly) dark
- Buy some green/yellow sleeving for the earths... we haven't used the plain green stuff for many decades

 

[davelx]

Your diagram is correct. However, your understanding of series and parallel circuits is not (you're confusing series with loop-in/out or daisy-chaining).

You would still wire them in parallel even if you wanted a separate switch for each. If you wired them in series each would only light dimly, and all three switches would need to be turned on for any of them to light - at which point they would all light.

http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/seriespa.htm

 

[ricicle]

Series circuits are not used in domestic cabling, they are all parallel. But I can see what you want to acheive.

Are you using twin and earth as this comes in a minimum size of 1.0mm² ?

Join Neutral through and Earth through at switch and there you go.

 

[zemphis]

Thanks for the responses.

Ive tried the wiring out with some t&e as a test run. Not in the loft just on a bench at the moment and its working. Can anyone have a look at my earthing for the socket below. Ive just connected both earth wires to the terminal. I want to make sure they would be safe before i begin installation in the loft just in case anyone touches the lamps when they are on. Is this ok apart from the earthing sleeve (I will get some for the final install)? thanks

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• zemphis
• 23 Aug 2010
• 1

 

[ban-all-sheds]

They'll be on all the time - you've got no switch cable.

 

[Steve]

The wiring will work. How do you propose to wire the switch, which will have a COM and L1 terminal?

 

[Chri5]

You MUST sleeve the cpc / earths.

Look at the Wiki- Electrics- Uk - Lighting for the nice basic diagrams for wiring lights with the switch shown.