Wiring a 2A / 240V light switch

Caporegime
Joined
13 May 2003
Posts
34,563
Location
Warwickshire
Hi

I bought a push to break light switch from CEF so that my wardrobe downlights are on while the door is open. However I want to make sure of the correct way to wire it up, if someone could help please.

I've wired in 'normal' 1 and 2 way light switches before, but they are rated higher than 2A and have an earth connection, whereas this switch only has two terminals (permanent live being switched and going on to the downlights).

I'm going to take a spur off a existing lighting circuit and my questions are:

- am I ok to run the earth from the junction box to the light and just use twin core cable to the switch in the wardrobe?
- is it safe to use 240V downlights in such an application, or should I use 12V lights and switch the 12V after it's left the transformer?
- what cable size is suitable for running from the junction box / block to the switch?
- do I need to fuse again anywhere, bearing in mind the switch is only rated for 2A? Does this mean I need a 2A FCU to protect the switch?
- I'm running 3 x 5W LED downlights off this spur...am I correct in thinking this should only ever draw around 0.06A @ 240V?

Many thanks!
 
not everything needs earthing.

like table/desk lamps use 2 core wire which is just neutral and live.
a lot of vent extractor fans don't need earthing either because they have no external metal parts etc.

I have 3 core wire going to a speed stepping controller connected to a gang socket with 3 core wire.
Now the fan I'm controlling only has live and neutral so it's connected to the fan controller by 2 core wire without an earth and I would happily plug it directly into the wall even though it has no earth because it does not require one just like house lamps.
edit:
this is the fan just for size scale lol and pics showing it has no earth terminal
CmPauln.jpg

2uD55OR.jpg
pulls 25 watts which is a lot more amps than your LED's use

I would just wire your wardrobe lights to a plug and stick it in a socket, if it doesn't have terminals for live , neutral and earth then it does not need earthing.

even my lava lamp is just 2 core and that surely uses far more power than your little wardrobe lights

if you DIY a lamp this is how you do it (just to show a light using more power than your led doesn't need an earth)

1 plug with correctly rated fuse
1 of 2 core wire cut to the desired length
1 light bulb bayonet fitting
1 x light bulb.

That's all there is to a lamp.

seriously your LED's will be fine without an earth if they don't have one on it's connectors aslong as you have a driver or whatever making sure they get the correct voltage and not the full volts from the wall then I don;t see how it's anymore unsafe than a lamp

heres someone asking about connecting an LED TV without an earth to a fused spur
http://www.diynot.com/forums/electr...witched-spur-but-tv-doesnt-have-earth.314513/

even the lowest mm 2/3core wire in wilkinsons is rated at 6amps/1440watts.

BTW if your ever wiring something up always go off the terminal labels and never the colours of the wires connecting to the terminals as sometimes the wires arent the colour you would expect for example on this the wire from the appliances side going to the live terminal is BLUE! some people might assume your meant to then use a blue wire to the blue wire but your not! always follow the labels!
wL02NBj.jpg

jQy7Ntz.jpg

if your connecting to a live circuit and not a socket I believe it has to be earthed incase someone sticks a nail into the live wire?

BTW I AM NOT AN ELECTRICIAN ! I just know a fair bit about wiring stuff up and DIY electrics so you might want to wait for a second opinion
 
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