I recently did this for a block of flats. Installed an outside circuit to power a CCTV equipment cabinet then a lighting circuit to put a light in a bin store from that. Except I used a 1a fuse. Thanks GSH as ever.
@@GSHElectricala question relating to this well illustrated video of yours. Why would you use a 3A fuse for a lighting circuit that generally operates on B6 ICB's? Would fuse rating vary depending on power usage of pendant? Or is it dependant on cable size? I.e 1.5mm instead of 1mm
Useful video thanks, to clarify you must use 2.5mm going into the FCU as the fuse (when downgraded) then allows you to run 1mm to the lights. 1mm runs at 10amps so if you were to put this straight off the double socket it would mean the 1mm has a lower amperage than the breaker on the consumer unit (meaning the cable fails first, which we don’t want!) - I think I’ve got it!
Great video guy’s What is the brand name of the socket and the FCU ? I have never seen them with eliminated switches before, and I like the idea that you can lock off the FCU 👍. I must get some of them. Fantastic video Gaz as always 👍👍👍👍👍❤️⚡️⭐️
That or sell them with a 3A fuse, then, if you require a 13 and don't bother to change it, it will fail almost instantly, forcing you to fit the correct fuse
One of my pet hates is Switch fused spurs , fused connection units and plugs are supplied with fuses fitted, generally a 13amp fuse and people rarely change them for the correct one , they should be sold without fuses. I have lost count of the 13amp fuses I had to change for the correct fuse. I reckon I have the world largest collection of 13amp fused
Thanks for the great videos. It would be handy to know how you can add a 2 way light to the current setup. I've watched your videos on this but can't quite work out how it would operate using this set up. I have a switch fused spur in the garage which operates the garage lights, it's protected with a 5amp fuse. The garage is about 12 meters long and ideally I would like to control the lights for the garage at either end. The garage has been fitted with fluorescent tube lights, which are fed directly from the switch fused spur. If I turn the spur off it isolates the lights and no electric passes. If it's on the lights are on electricity obviously passes and illumintaes the lights. I understand I now need a 2 x 1 gang 2 way light switch. My thoughts are to take the wires in the spur that feed the lights and put another box next to this, so that these wires will feed a new switch for the 2 way light switch. What I don't know is if there is an easier way or if I can buyt a 2way light switch fuse spur? Also i'm confused as to the feed coming out of the spur is a switch wire or a neutral as it only operates the wire when its switched on? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Maybe a future video
Hi Guys, and thanks for another useful and informative video. One question if I may: you give this as an example of using a spur for the lighting in a garage, but what if the supply to the garage socket is itself a fused spur - I didn't think you can spur off a spur...?
Only way I can think you could do this is if you put a fused spur prior to the socket and keep that one at 13A as if you do this you can have as many socket outlets on the spur as you want. The same should be true for this, if tou have a 13A FCU prior to the socket outlet and then a 3A FCU after the socket outlet going to the light
how many lights could you spur off of from the radial socket circuit? and could you do the same from a ring socket circuit? where can i find this info in the 18th edition.
Can you use a 10 amp light switch on a power circuit. For example in a bathroom with heating bulbs/lights/fan uses the power circuit. I assume the light switch cables must be 2.5 mm also ??
Hoping for some help here I'm planning on doing a home alarm system The main panel needs to be connected to the mains I have seen some videos online where the guys are using 3 core 0.75MM flex into a mains socket I have also read that alot of people just come off the lighting circuit into a fused spur None of these options seem like a good one as lighting circuits are more like to trip or fail Adding a plug will mean that it can be turned off by accident I'm no pro so was wondering if I could get some feedback from you guys My plan is to come off the main ring downstairs, into an unswitched 2/3 AMP fuse spur Would this be the best solution? Also what kind of cable would I need for this? Size wise, twin core and earth ... Thanks
At minimum 2.5mm twin & earth to an unswitched fused control unit with 3 amp fuse. From there you can use 0.75mm or 1mm flex to the panel. Another option would be to change the socket oulet to an unswitched one and use a 3 amp fuse in the plug.
It's because voltage can pass through your AVI, so if you are touching the line conductor with 230v in it, you now have 230v at the other end of your AVI which is a hazard, especially if it touches someone or something that can conduct electricity
@@GSHElectrical Good to know I was unsure about putting something outside Had a spark come round and he wanted to come off the light switches to stay on the light ring But this would have meant unsightly trunking across the ceiling! Might try this myself
Is it possible to replace a light fixing with a mains power point so I can plug a projector in at the ceiling instead of having to run trunking up the wall??
Hello, apprentice sparky question.. I have a client that wants to add a hive pass through plug to a similar circuit, so they can control the light using a mobile app. Can I use a flex cable on a standard plug from the spur to the double socket instead of the 2.5mm cable in order for them to use a hive pass through plug?
How come appliances such as hair dryer or a window roller shutter motor can be plugged into a power circuit even though they come with smaller cable sizes than 2.5 mm. For example a window roller shutter motor i imagine would draw higher current than design if it got stuck or its limit switch failed ?????
@@kint5ugee I think the reason is these appluances cannot by design draw any more current than the cable can handle in normal use. If there is a short circuit a breaker will trip and protect even these smaller cables
@@michaelcostello6991 my hair dryer says that it's 1800 to 2200w. 0.75 seems a bit to small for 9a but I read a forum entry where someone was able to pull 13.2a through a 0.75mm² cable with temperature rising from 28C to 50C in an hour. So it probably would blow a fuse before anything catastrophic happened. 50C is probably not hot enough to cause a fire. There's also the fact that the cable on a hair dryer is in free air and not buried somewhere in a wall. Also, it's not an appliance you would typically leave unattended. I once used a nasty Chinese extension cord (that I didn't know was unfused) with that hair dryer and the extension cord started melting 😮
Not a qualified electrician and Gaz will correct me if I'm wrong but as long as the total power downstream of the 3A fuse is less than than 690 W the fuse will not blow. 690=230 x 3?
@@GSHElectrical thanks for the quick reply, much appreciated! I need to run a live wire from a socket in the kitchen to cupboard under the staircase. So 2.5mm cable from socket to fcu in port then 1.5mm/2.5mm from load port in fcu to ceiling rose.. is that right? Hope im doing it the correct way... fcu being 13amp fuse ...thanks
@@mohammadkhan4723 yeah if it was 13 amp I’m pretty sure it’s 1.5mm twin and earth instead of 1mm since your increasing the sort of potential current demand. But going in it’s 2.5 becuase you still have what 32 amps from the socket socket so you need a bigger cable to handle that.
@@GSHElectrical I know what a mcb is "In your video you say "safely isolate" you cannot use a an fcu or an mcb for safe isolation. It must disconnect both conductors.
I recently did this for a block of flats. Installed an outside circuit to power a CCTV equipment cabinet then a lighting circuit to put a light in a bin store from that. Except I used a 1a fuse. Thanks GSH as ever.
Didn't know you could lock off a fused spur with a padlock like that. Nice touch.
Thanks John 👍🏻
@@GSHElectricala question relating to this well illustrated video of yours. Why would you use a 3A fuse for a lighting circuit that generally operates on B6 ICB's? Would fuse rating vary depending on power usage of pendant? Or is it dependant on cable size? I.e 1.5mm instead of 1mm
Emilio doing a cracking job there son, keep it up
Great instructional video. I intend to do this to now install a security light so a great help.
Useful video thanks, to clarify you must use 2.5mm going into the FCU as the fuse (when downgraded) then allows you to run 1mm to the lights. 1mm runs at 10amps so if you were to put this straight off the double socket it would mean the 1mm has a lower amperage than the breaker on the consumer unit (meaning the cable fails first, which we don’t want!) - I think I’ve got it!
Brilliant teacher 👍🏻
Just done this. So hopeful 👌👍🏼
Nice demonstration ! Keep up the good content.
Thanks for commenting 👍🏻
Love your videos
Thanks 👍🏻
Great video guy’s
What is the brand name of the socket and the FCU ? I have never seen them with eliminated switches before, and I like the idea that you can lock off the FCU 👍. I must get some of them.
Fantastic video Gaz as always 👍👍👍👍👍❤️⚡️⭐️
Sean - it’s the Crabtree Instinct range. E-fixx did a review of the range on their channel - ua-cam.com/video/Sp632Gfbk04/v-deo.html
That or sell them with a 3A fuse, then, if you require a 13 and don't bother to change it, it will fail almost instantly, forcing you to fit the correct fuse
One of my pet hates is Switch fused spurs , fused connection units and plugs are supplied with fuses fitted, generally a 13amp fuse and people rarely change them for the correct one , they should be sold without fuses. I have lost count of the 13amp fuses I had to change for the correct fuse. I reckon I have the world largest collection of 13amp fused
Great point 👍🏻
Thanks for sharing it with us
Can you connect a FCU to a new ring circuit (part of the ring) without going through a socket for a kitchen?
Thanks for the great videos. It would be handy to know how you can add a 2 way light to the current setup. I've watched your videos on this but can't quite work out how it would operate using this set up.
I have a switch fused spur in the garage which operates the garage lights, it's protected with a 5amp fuse. The garage is about 12 meters long and ideally I would like to control the lights for the garage at either end.
The garage has been fitted with fluorescent tube lights, which are fed directly from the switch fused spur. If I turn the spur off it isolates the lights and no electric passes. If it's on the lights are on electricity obviously passes and illumintaes the lights.
I understand I now need a 2 x 1 gang 2 way light switch. My thoughts are to take the wires in the spur that feed the lights and put another box next to this, so that these wires will feed a new switch for the 2 way light switch. What I don't know is if there is an easier way or if I can buyt a 2way light switch fuse spur?
Also i'm confused as to the feed coming out of the spur is a switch wire or a neutral as it only operates the wire when its switched on?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Maybe a future video
Hi Guys, and thanks for another useful and informative video. One question if I may: you give this as an example of using a spur for the lighting in a garage, but what if the supply to the garage socket is itself a fused spur - I didn't think you can spur off a spur...?
Only way I can think you could do this is if you put a fused spur prior to the socket and keep that one at 13A as if you do this you can have as many socket outlets on the spur as you want. The same should be true for this, if tou have a 13A FCU prior to the socket outlet and then a 3A FCU after the socket outlet going to the light
@@lh2589 Cheers, LH. My "garage" spur does is fused at 13A, so hoping it should all be OK.
If you used 1.5mm from the FCU is it still a 3amp fuse or would that need to be 5amp?
how many lights could you spur off of from the radial socket circuit? and could you do the same from a ring socket circuit? where can i find this info in the 18th edition.
Is it possible to connect two lights, say outside security light cables through the same fuse spur, or would they require separate fuse spurs?
ooooh thumbs up friends
Good vid lads.
👍🏻 thanks for the support and commenting
This can be a godsend on small extension where you extending a ring through the back of a backbox
This is Exactly what I was looking for BUT it would of been more helpful if you had opened the fuse switch to show us how to wire it lol
Can you use a 10 amp light switch on a power circuit. For example in a bathroom with heating bulbs/lights/fan uses the power circuit. I assume the light switch cables must be 2.5 mm also ??
Could this method be used to run downlights in a media wall?
Yep
Hoping for some help here
I'm planning on doing a home alarm system
The main panel needs to be connected to the mains
I have seen some videos online where the guys are using 3 core 0.75MM flex into a mains socket
I have also read that alot of people just come off the lighting circuit into a fused spur
None of these options seem like a good one as lighting circuits are more like to trip or fail
Adding a plug will mean that it can be turned off by accident
I'm no pro so was wondering if I could get some feedback from you guys
My plan is to come off the main ring downstairs, into an unswitched 2/3 AMP fuse spur
Would this be the best solution?
Also what kind of cable would I need for this? Size wise, twin core and earth ...
Thanks
At minimum 2.5mm twin & earth to an unswitched fused control unit with 3 amp fuse. From there you can use 0.75mm or 1mm flex to the panel.
Another option would be to change the socket oulet to an unswitched one and use a 3 amp fuse in the plug.
Question: @ 4:50
Please why do we put the probe to the least dangerous conductor first, thus the CPC when testing
Thanks
It's because voltage can pass through your AVI, so if you are touching the line conductor with 230v in it, you now have 230v at the other end of your AVI which is a hazard, especially if it touches someone or something that can conduct electricity
With those GS38 ends on, that 0V reading is probably coming from the fact the probe tips are not touching the bloody brass 😂
🤫
Thanks for committing and watching. Gaz 👍🏻
Could you just use a standard light switch instead of a FCU if you used 2.5mm or the light?
No, as the lighting needs to be protected by a 3amp fuse which would protect it for upto a 690 Watts load.
So if I wanted to add an outdoor garden floodlight, this will still work?
Yes
@@GSHElectrical Good to know
I was unsure about putting something outside
Had a spark come round and he wanted to come off the light switches to stay on the light ring
But this would have meant unsightly trunking across the ceiling!
Might try this myself
@@GSHElectrical Another stupid question.
Would I keep the fuse spur inside the house I'm assuming?
@@deepmystic5850 if you use an outdoor rated sfcu it can be outside.
Can you put a switch fuse box up and spur off to a garage consumer box would that work?
How would you test and record such a circuit? Would it be two separate circuits?
Is it possible to replace a light fixing with a mains power point so I can plug a projector in at the ceiling instead of having to run trunking up the wall??
Can I fit more than one light ,from the 3amp fuse
Where in the regs does it say you must use a eamp fuse?????
Hello, apprentice sparky question.. I have a client that wants to add a hive pass through plug to a similar circuit, so they can control the light using a mobile app. Can I use a flex cable on a standard plug from the spur to the double socket instead of the 2.5mm cable in order for them to use a hive pass through plug?
Orrr… would it make more sense just to use a fused plug, down rated using a 3A fuse and the spur to become just a junction box?
i have done ths exact same set up, but into an LED light fitting, but everytime i turn the light switch fuse connection it trips
Can it be done from a ring final circuit ?
Yes
Could this be done in a ring circuit?
Yes
@GSH Electrical could you power ceiling lights using this method my house is pre 1970 no earth to ceiling lights
I have this in my bungalow and the dishwasher keeps tripping it is to to much power?
How come appliances such as hair dryer or a window roller shutter motor can be plugged into a power circuit even though they come with smaller cable sizes than 2.5 mm. For example a window roller shutter motor i imagine would draw higher current than design if it got stuck or its limit switch failed ?????
thats what i was wondering as well. my hair dryer came with a 0.75mm2 cable
@@kint5ugee I think the reason is these appluances cannot by design draw any more current than the cable can handle in normal use. If there is a short circuit a breaker will trip and protect even these smaller cables
@@michaelcostello6991 my hair dryer says that it's 1800 to 2200w. 0.75 seems a bit to small for 9a but I read a forum entry where someone was able to pull 13.2a through a 0.75mm² cable with temperature rising from 28C to 50C in an hour. So it probably would blow a fuse before anything catastrophic happened. 50C is probably not hot enough to cause a fire. There's also the fact that the cable on a hair dryer is in free air and not buried somewhere in a wall. Also, it's not an appliance you would typically leave unattended. I once used a nasty Chinese extension cord (that I didn't know was unfused) with that hair dryer and the extension cord started melting 😮
Out of curiosity, just like with Spurs, how many lighting points can come off the FCU
Not a qualified electrician and Gaz will correct me if I'm wrong but as long as the total power downstream of the 3A fuse is less than than 690 W the fuse will not blow. 690=230 x 3?
@@no_short_circuit thanks for the comment, I did think this, didn’t know if there was a reg on it tho. Thanks again 💪🏼
Up the lighting circuit to 1.5mm cable and use a 13 amp fuse you can have 3000 watts of lights the only restrictions being volt drop and Zs
@@stevensmith4449 Thanks for adding your thoughts. The original question was a spur with 3A not a spur with 13A. Is my answer of 690 (for 3A) correct?
@@no_short_circuit 3ax230v gives 690 watts.
Still have to be careful of the circuit length for volt drop and circuit disconnection time!
Can you replace the 3amp fuse with an 13amp fuse?
U could
@@GSHElectrical thanks for the quick reply, much appreciated! I need to run a live wire from a socket in the kitchen to cupboard under the staircase. So 2.5mm cable from socket to fcu in port then 1.5mm/2.5mm from load port in fcu to ceiling rose.. is that right? Hope im doing it the correct way... fcu being 13amp fuse
...thanks
@@mohammadkhan4723 yeah if it was 13 amp I’m pretty sure it’s 1.5mm twin and earth instead of 1mm since your increasing the sort of potential current demand. But going in it’s 2.5 becuase you still have what 32 amps from the socket socket so you need a bigger cable to handle that.
It's a fixed load, so no need for a fcu or 2.5 mm cable.
Also, you can't use a single pole switch for safe isolation
An MCB is a single phase device (single pole)…
@@GSHElectrical I know what a mcb is "In your video you say "safely isolate" you cannot use a an fcu or an mcb for safe isolation. It must disconnect both conductors.
2.5mm from the socket to the FCU could also be done 1mm - the cable gets downstream overload protection from the 3A fuse
Mixed circuit not allowed in SA
Thanks for your input 👍🏻.
If it's a radial, technically you could wire the light in 2.5 and not use a FCU.
You didn't even show how to wire the switched fuse?
This idea of testing the tester after every test is a waste of time
why? The tester may have failed after the first test
Not got a lot of confidence in your equipment
The tester will die at sometime ,if it happens when you are proving dead and the circuit is not dead ,you could end up dead.
Can't watch this, the other guy is too nervous
We all have to start somewhere 👍🏻