Connecting light box to socket via switch

[Builderfromhell]

Basically I have made a light box for viewing things.
Want to connect 3 20w fluorescent light fittings in box.
Want to then connect to power by plugging supply to wall socket.
Want to use a normal light switch between plug and lights to switch lights on and off.

I thought wiring for this would be fairly simple but now I am not so sure.
Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[danzor]

Switch on the light box ?


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[Richard Burns]

I would not use a normal plate switch unless it is fixed to the light box, if it is in the supply cable use an in line switch.

If you want to switch the lights individually then you could fix a three gang switch to the box.

Make sure you have enough cable to reach the locations you will need without having too long a cable.

Take the power lead inside the box and then wire to switch and carry on from switch to each light in parallel.

 

[Marvo]

Do the fluorescent tubes each have their own ballast or are you using more than one tube on one ballast? The wiring should be fairly straight forward but if you have no electrical knowledge it might be worth getting a local electrician to come and wire it. If you mount all the components and fit a gland to the box and have the wire and cable on-hand it would mean it wouldn't take him long to just wire it up and this would keep the price lower.

 

[Adam W]

Again I'd fix the switch to the side of the box, and the control gear inside. Compression gland on the side of the box with flex out.

 

[Builderfromhell]

I am not a qualified electrician but do simple electrical work from time to time.
I think I will remove the plate switch box that I had fixed to the light box and use a simple in-line switch on the cable.
That means I will be connecting to supply via plug in socket.
Have in-line switch on cable.
Connect to each of 3 fluorescent lights form cable coming into light box.

Thanks for advice and opinions so far.

 

[Builderfromhell]

Do the fluorescent tubes each have their own ballast or are you using more than one tube on one ballast? The wiring should be fairly straight forward but if you have no electrical knowledge it might be worth getting a local electrician to come and wire it. If you mount all the components and fit a gland to the box and have the wire and cable on-hand it would mean it wouldn't take him long to just wire it up and this would keep the price lower.

All fluorescent fittings have their own ballast and are pre-wired.