large 2 gang weatherproof switch needed.

HappyHippyDad · Sep 24, 2018

I have just fitted a BG 2gang weatherproof switch.

[ElectriciansForums.net] large 2 gang weatherproof switch needed.

At present only 1 of the gangs is in use to switch 5 x 200w LED floodlights.

I used 6mm 3 core SWA as it was a long run from the CU and Voltage drop forced the larger cable.

I only just got 2 x 6mm cables into the 2gang switch. In a year or the customer will want another 5 floodlights switched from the other gang, but I will not be able to fit another 6mm in there.

I have 3 questions:

1. Is there a larger 2 gang switch on the market?
2. Is there a larger back box that BG do that would fit on to the existing?
3. Any other ideas? Preferable not 2 x 1gang switches which will be the last option due to the layout.

Cheers guys.

suffolkspark · Sep 24, 2018

Contactors?

Andy78 · Sep 24, 2018

Why not drop the cable size at the switch to one that facilitates easier connection to the switches ?

Octopus · Sep 24, 2018

Andy78 said:
Why not drop the cable size at the switch to one that facilitates easier connection to the switches ?

Do you mean terminate the 6mm in a separate enclosure, then have the 2G switch and take the outputs out to another enclosure (or the same enclosure) and out on 2 x 6mm?

snowhead · Sep 24, 2018

Stick one of these next to the switch to terminate the SWA into;

BG IP66 Junction Box 113 x 113 x 55mm - https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p65903

Andy78 · Sep 24, 2018

Murdoch said:
Do you mean terminate the 6mm in a separate enclosure, then have the 2G switch and take the outputs out to another enclosure (or the same enclosure) and out on 2 x 6mm?

I'll leave that to the installer. A small box next to the switch would be a neat roomy way to sort it. Connect the 6mm to a smaller cable size more suited to the switch.

Octopus · Sep 24, 2018

snowhead said:
Stick one of these next to the switch to terminate the SWA into;

BG IP66 Junction Box 113 x 113 x 55mm - https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p65903

I prefer Wiska boxes

HappyHippyDad · Sep 24, 2018

Andy78 said:
Why not drop the cable size at the switch to one that facilitates easier connection to the switches ?

Murdoch said:
Do you mean terminate the 6mm in a separate enclosure, then have the 2G switch and take the outputs out to another enclosure (or the same enclosure) and out on 2 x 6mm?

snowhead said:
Stick one of these next to the switch to terminate the SWA into;

BG IP66 Junction Box 113 x 113 x 55mm - https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p65903

Blimey I must be tired. Thats ridiculously simple and I've done it before!
I think its a case of getting home after a long day and thinking 'I'll ask the forum', rather than sleeping on it and realising how simple it is the next day.

Cheers guys

buzzlightyear · Sep 24, 2018

happyhippydad said:
I used 6mm 3 core SWA as it was a long run from the CU and Voltage drop forced the larger cable.

how many meters is the cable ?

Squid · Sep 24, 2018

buzzlightyear said:
how many meters is the cable ?

1 Lightyear.......

Andy78 · Sep 24, 2018

SWD said:
1 Lightyear.......

I think it's longer than that. Probably to infinity and beyond.

Marvo · Sep 24, 2018

What's the switch rated to? 5x 200 Watt Floodlights is a considerable load when you consider LED's can have a power factor as low as 0.5 and then there's inrush current....

Squid · Sep 24, 2018

Marvo said:
What's the switch rated to? 5x 200 Watt Floodlights is a considerable load when you consider LED's can have a power factor as low as 0.5 and then there's inrush current....

You mean switch on surge?

HappyHippyDad · Sep 25, 2018

Marvo said:
What's the switch rated to? 5x 200 Watt Floodlights is a considerable load when you consider LED's can have a power factor as low as 0.5 and then there's inrush current....

It's a 20A switch, each gang I would assume is 10A. The lights I have fitted have a power factor of >0.9 so current drawn from each light should be 0.97A (assuming PF of 0.9).
How does that look to you Marvo? Would you say the present switch is acceptable?

It will be a 10A Type B circuit breaker (there will be 10 x 200w LED's eventually. I don't know what the inrush current for these lights is though so maybe a Type c will be needed.

telectrix · Sep 25, 2018

It's a 20A switch, each gang I would assume is 10A.

wrong.each switch is 20A.

Marvo · Sep 25, 2018

0.9 PF is very good for LED's and as Tel says the rating is for each switch so the load won't be a problem.

SWD said:
You mean switch on surge?

Yes, surge current, start current, inrush current, not sure what terminology you use.

Squid · Sep 25, 2018

telectrix said:
It's a 20A switch, each gang I would assume is 10A.

wrong.each switch is 20A.

Are you sure its not 40A?

large 2 gang weatherproof switch needed.

HappyHippyDad

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suffolkspark

Andy78

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Octopus

snowhead

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Andy78

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Octopus

HappyHippyDad

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buzzlightyear

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Squid

Andy78

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Marvo

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Squid

HappyHippyDad

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telectrix

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Marvo

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Squid

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