Communal Lighting

[sl1210]

Hi guys need to re-wire a 3 tier communal area for the first time.

Think I know what i need to do but want to confirm?

Was going to put a time switch next to the fuseboard with t+e from it to the first switch and from that switch to the next and so on, these would then trigger the time switch at the board.

I would then run a 3 core and earth from the time switch to the first light point and then from that light to the next and so on to allow for some emergency lights also.

Is this the correct and easiest way to do it???

Also they want backlit switches (switches with lights). would i need to run a 3 core to the switches to use as a neutral for the light?? As i've seen some light switches that say they don't need a neutral?

 

[somersetsparks]

Many communal areas now use PIR's as they are easier to mount out of the 'smash zone' in many blocks of flats.
having said that pnematic time switches just wired in paralell would be fine mounted on those seeklight bases, they don't need a neutral as for miniscule amount of power 1 led uses they just stick it down the earth.

 

[sedgy34]

Wire in 3core from key switch pirs are best way ccommunal switches are long gone

 

[sl1210]

i agree with you on the pir's but they have asked for switches at each flat door.

so whats the best method with lit switches

 

[somersetsparks]

I would use pneumatic time switches on 'seeklight bases'.
I would feed the first light in 3 core and then on to each additional light drop a twin to the first pnematic switch and feed each other switches in paralell from that one or if its easier you can just drop down to any additionbal switches from the nearest light fitting ( you can only do this if you don't have emergency's), otherwise you can just feed all the switches in paralell to each other from the first switch.

 

[sl1210]

i think it might be easier to drop down from each light to the nearest switch.

so 3 core to first light, then from first light to second light, then from second light to third light, then from third light to fourth light

then t+e from first light to first switch, t+e from second light to second switch, t+e from third light to third switch, t+e from fourth light to fourth switch??? so all lights will come on from any switch position

so would you say pneumatic switches are better than press switches triggering the timer at the board??

 

[somersetsparks]

Only that when they fail, only one fails not the whole lot, although they may be quite pricey.

 

[sl1210]

yep see your point mate.

are the danlers time lag switches any good?? say no neutral required, so how do they light??

Time Lag Switch 2 wire 1-10 minutes Illuminated

 

[somersetsparks]

As said mate, they use earth as current is miniscule, we use danlers gear and it seems to be pretty good, think wilts stock it.

By the way, this wiring method would work with emergency's, only that when you did an EM test, all of the lights would go out not just the emergency's. Course, this wouldn't matter if they were all emergency's.

 

[sl1210]

ok mate great. well the client is supplying the communal light fittings,

i am probably going to fit 3 separate non maintained emergency light fittings. personally i would have just fitted maintained emergencies as the main lights

 

[Lilley]

i recently did a communal area for some flats and i used a danlers PIR and it worked a treat, along side a key switch for your emergency fittings. simple and easy for you.