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UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions. |
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#1
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Loft power socket?
Up in my loft I need to add a power socket which will be used to power one
tv amplifier. There is the lighting circuit up there, and conveniently near to where I need the socket, there is a brown juntion box which just has 1 twin+earth in, and one the same out. Perhaps someone used this to join the cables? Anyway. Can I just connect a length of twin+earth into here, then connect the other end into a 5A single socket. I'll have to cut the flex from the TV amp and fit a 5A fuse with the rounded pins to fit the socket. Does this sound OK? Ideally i'd like a double socket up there because for a while whilst i'm installing the aerial stuff i'd maybe like a spare "normal pin" socket available to charge a small power tool, but these perhaps could be misinterpreted as a "proper" socket in the future and someone might overload the lighting circuit? I'm also understanding that this wouldnt be notifiable under part P? I do have some old cable length up there I could use.......but then again the 5A socket I buy will probably have a date on it somewhere....... Any comments would be gratefully received. |
#2
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Loft power socket?
-GB-Carpy wrote:
Up in my loft I need to add a power socket which will be used to power one tv amplifier. There is the lighting circuit up there I had a TV amp wired direct to the lighting circuit for years, it only used about 10w and was perfectly happy. I wouldn't advise using any form of plug/socket arrangement though, it's inviting an accidental overload. |
#3
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Loft power socket?
"Owain" wrote in message ... -GB-Carpy wrote: Up in my loft I need to add a power socket which will be used to power one tv amplifier. There is the lighting circuit up there, and conveniently near to where I need the socket, there is a brown juntion box which just has 1 twin+earth in, and one the same out. Perhaps someone used this to join the cables? Yebbut is that a joint in the line+neutral, or in the switchedlive+neutral, in which case your telly will only work when the appropriate light is on. Anyway. Can I just connect a length of twin+earth into here, then connect the other end into a 5A single socket. Yes I'll have to cut the flex from the TV amp and fit a 5A fuse plug - the round pin ones are unfused with the rounded pins to fit the socket. Does this sound OK? Yes Ideally i'd like a double socket up there because for a while whilst i'm installing the aerial stuff i'd maybe like a spare "normal pin" socket available to charge a small power tool, but these perhaps could be misinterpreted as a "proper" socket in the future and someone might overload the lighting circuit? That is why an ordinary 13A socket should not be fitted on a lighting circuit. You /could/ take the supply through a prominently-marked 3A fused connection unit to the socket as a way of reducing the badness. If you only need it to charge a power tool why can't you charge it elsewhere? I'm also understanding that this wouldnt be notifiable under part P? I do have some old cable length up there I could use.......but then again the 5A socket I buy will probably have a date on it somewhere....... Only thing I can foresee is that if you have a TT installation you need a 30mA RCD on all sockets, and your lighting circuit might be on a 100mA RCD (or no RCD). Technically I think the RCD requirement would apply to a 5A socket but it would certainly apply to a 13A socket. Owain I used a 2 amp clock point for a TV amplifier. |
#4
Posted to uk.d-i-y
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Loft power socket?
-GB-Carpy wrote:
Up in my loft I need to add a power socket which will be used to power one tv amplifier. There is the lighting circuit up there, and conveniently near to where I need the socket, there is a brown juntion box which just has 1 twin+earth in, and one the same out. Perhaps someone used this to join the cables? Anyway. Can I just connect a length of twin+earth into here, then connect the other end into a 5A single socket. I'll have to cut the flex from the TV amp and fit a 5A fuse with the rounded pins to fit the socket. Does this sound OK? Ideally i'd like a double socket up there because for a while whilst i'm installing the aerial stuff i'd maybe like a spare "normal pin" socket available to charge a small power tool, but these perhaps could be misinterpreted as a "proper" socket in the future and someone might overload the lighting circuit? I'm also understanding that this wouldnt be notifiable under part P? I do have some old cable length up there I could use.......but then again the 5A socket I buy will probably have a date on it somewhere....... Any comments would be gratefully received. I would probably put in a switched fused spur with a 5A fuse in it.. Not sure if its kosher or not... |
#5
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Loft power socket?
"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message ... -GB-Carpy wrote: Up in my loft I need to add a power socket which will be used to power one tv amplifier. There is the lighting circuit up there, and conveniently near to where I need the socket, there is a brown juntion box which just has 1 twin+earth in, and one the same out. Perhaps someone used this to join the cables? Anyway. Can I just connect a length of twin+earth into here, then connect the other end into a 5A single socket. I'll have to cut the flex from the TV amp and fit a 5A fuse with the rounded pins to fit the socket. Does this sound OK? Ideally i'd like a double socket up there because for a while whilst i'm installing the aerial stuff i'd maybe like a spare "normal pin" socket available to charge a small power tool, but these perhaps could be misinterpreted as a "proper" socket in the future and someone might overload the lighting circuit? I'm also understanding that this wouldnt be notifiable under part P? I do have some old cable length up there I could use.......but then again the 5A socket I buy will probably have a date on it somewhere....... Any comments would be gratefully received. I would probably put in a switched fused spur with a 5A fuse in it.. Not sure if its kosher or not... Thanks for all the replies thus far. The existing junction box must be in the live + neutral because the amp is powered when the loft light is turned off. The upstairs lighting circuit is on a 6A RCD. The consensus on here and on another forum where I asked the same question, seems to be that the best way to do this is to use a FCU fitted with a 3A fuse, and clearly mark it as follows "MAXIMUM LOAD 3 AMP / 600 WATTS" Also, there is a bit of banter going on as to whether this work will require a minor works certificate. There is agreement that the work is not notifiable, but disagreement as to the certificate. We're not planning on selling the house anytime soon, so I guess whatever the outcome I don't need to worry? Thanks again for the replies. |
#6
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Loft power socket?
On Tue, 11 Jul 2006 23:37:23 GMT someone who may be "-GB-Carpy"
wrote this:- The consensus on here and on another forum where I asked the same question, seems to be that the best way to do this is to use a FCU fitted with a 3A fuse, Indeed, perhaps with a cord outlet near to the amplifier. and clearly mark it as follows "MAXIMUM LOAD 3 AMP / 600 WATTS" I don't see any need for that on the FCU. If anyone in the future wishes to re-arrange the fixed wiring then one of the first things they need to do is ascertain what circuits things are connected to. However, if installing a 13A socket on the lighting circuit it should certainly be permanently marked in this way and perhaps a different colour. -- David Hansen, Edinburgh I will *always* explain revoked encryption keys, unless RIP prevents me http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00023--e.htm#54 |
#7
Posted to uk.d-i-y
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Loft power socket?
"-GB-Carpy" wrote in message .uk... Up in my loft I need to add a power socket which will be used to power one tv amplifier. There is the lighting circuit up there, and conveniently near to where I need the socket, there is a brown juntion box which just has 1 twin+earth in, and one the same out. Perhaps someone used this to join the cables? Anyway. Can I just connect a length of twin+earth into here, then connect the other end into a 5A single socket. I'll have to cut the flex from the TV amp and fit a 5A fuse with the rounded pins to fit the socket. Does this sound OK? Ideally i'd like a double socket up there because for a while whilst i'm installing the aerial stuff i'd maybe like a spare "normal pin" socket available to charge a small power tool, but these perhaps could be misinterpreted as a "proper" socket in the future and someone might overload the lighting circuit? I'm also understanding that this wouldnt be notifiable under part P? I do have some old cable length up there I could use.......but then again the 5A socket I buy will probably have a date on it somewhere....... Any comments would be gratefully received. Depends on how useful your loft space may become Years ago looking to future use I started with a spur off of the house ring main routed through the airing cupboard to a single socket and switched fuse spur for the loft light. Became very useful when I later boarded the loft and now runs the network hub and TV booster splitter Tony |
#8
Posted to uk.d-i-y
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Loft power socket?
There is the lighting circuit up there, and conveniently near to where I
need the socket, there is a brown juntion box which just has 1 twin+earth in, and one the same out. Perhaps someone used this to join the cables? Fine, if it is permanent live. Anyway. Can I just connect a length of twin+earth into here, then connect the other end into a 5A single socket. Yes. I'll have to cut the flex from the TV amp and fit a 5A fuse with the rounded pins to fit the socket. The round pin plugs are not usually fused. The fuse will be the 5/6A fuse/MCB at the consumer unit. Does this sound OK? Yes. Ideally i'd like a double socket up there because for a while whilst i'm installing the aerial stuff i'd maybe like a spare "normal pin" socket available to charge a small power tool, but these perhaps could be misinterpreted as a "proper" socket in the future and someone might overload the lighting circuit? Indeed. I would not do this. Just use an extension lead from downstairs if you can't extend or spur from the ring. Christian. |
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