3 core + earth for switch drops

[Chris86]

Evening all,

With so many smart/connected home products on the market now, what are the great and the goods thoughts on dropping 3 core down to switches when using the 3 plate system for lights to provide a neutral at the switch?

I know there is the loop at the switch method which I have used but I still like the flexibility for add ons etc that having line and neutral at the ceiling point provides.

Thanks and atb

Chris

 

[Phillip]

Well, the reason is this for the deeper back box. Of the last couple of rewiring jobs, I have mentioned to the customer about installing smart light control. And for the extra cost now will save you very big money to install it later on. I've been called back to two of them to do refits.

 

[Toneyz]

Why was the NICEIC not happy ?.

 

[PEG]

Why was the NICEIC not happy ?.

Because,if there is one thing they hate...it's folk "switching" to a better arrangement

 

[Dave OCD]

They probably said someone could attempt to connect a socket from the switch due to the presence of the neutral or some such nonsense.

 

[KEV 1 N]

They probably said someone could attempt to connect a socket from the switch due to the presence of the neutral or some such nonsense.

Is this what you mean......?

This is in the cupboard under my stairs, even though the DB is in here, this was the neatest solution.

 

[Wilko]

OMG - cats and dogs living together !

 

[Dave OCD]

Is this what you mean......?View attachment 39129
This is in the cupboard under my stairs, even though the DB is in here, this was the neatest solution.

No that's obviously 2 different circuits- or is it ?

 

[KEV 1 N]

No it's the lighting circuit, I know some may not approve but the socket is only used for the dyson charger and nothing else

 

[Dave OCD]

No harm in that, I've fitted sockets fed from lighting circuits at high level for plug in doorbells before.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

But I would label the S/O with its intended function and circuit, so that anyone who comes after me does not see it as a general-purpose outlet.

One thing about using 3C+E for switch drops is that it doesn't matter where you loop-in - switch or light - as PL, SL, N and E are all available at both ends. You can mix and match too, although the 3rd core obviously can't be re-purposed as a 2nd SL where it is used to link switch-looped and light-looped sections.

For domestic work I would definitely assign the three cores to PL, SL and N by default, and park the unused core (N at switch for light-loops or PL at light for switch-loops) in a Wago. Strapping to CPC would confuse the hell out of many people.

 

[KEV 1 N]

But I would label the S/O with its intended function and circuit, so that anyone who comes after me does not see it as a general-purpose outlet.

I agree with that, but if and when I move out, I'll just blank it off

 

[KEV 1 N]

For domestic work I would definitely assign the three cores to PL, SL and N by default, and park the unused core (N at switch for light-loops or PL at light for switch-loops) in a Wago. Strapping to CPC would confuse the hell out of many people.

Yes it would confuse people! TBH I've seen loads of items with spare cables at them, but I've never seen them connected to earth, they're usually in connectors or taped securely at both ends.

 

[stummish]

I always do this too. 3rd core for a spare switch wire, neutral or permanent is useful as it is for modifications. It's almost essential for smart home tech, and hardly costs anything extra.

I don't see why I'd go back to t&e for the switch drops. Even if I loop in at the switch I 3 core to the fitting just for the extra core. It's too useful to not.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Yes it would confuse people! TBH I've seen loads of items with spare cables at them, but I've never seen them connected to earth, they're usually in connectors or taped securely at both ends.

Standard practice for Atex/CompEx installations.