Installing sockets in loft, wiring query

[Specialist]

Even just for putting some flooring down?

From what I was just told, yes. It's not just having some boards put down though, it's having Power & Lighting added.
It's changing from attic storage, to a usable & habitable space.

Will also need any smoke detection extended to cover attic space as well.

Scottish building regs are apparently a lot stricter than England / Wales.

 

[Midwest]

Even just for putting some flooring down?

If your putting down some chipboard, to increase storage, I guess not. Putting down some flooring to make a liveable space, I guess it would. Loading, fire escape etc. But BC would advise.

Edit; ^^ what he said.

 

[richy3333]

From what I was just told, yes. It's not just having some boards put down though, it's having Power & Lighting added.
It's changing from attic storage, to a usable & habitable space.

Will also need any smoke detection extended to cover attic space as well.

Scottish building regs are apparently a lot stricter than England / Wales.

Yep they are and no stupid Part P

 

[Specialist]

My middle daughter has been nagging to move to Scotland, lack of part P would have to count as a big plus

 

[Flanders]

Agree with others about getting an electrician in to do the extra sockets, but are you sure putting computer equipment in a loft is a good idea . my loft at the moment is about 55 degrees C , so you will probable need some air conditioning units in there as well !

 

[Midwest]

Agree with others about getting an electrician in to do the extra sockets, but are you sure putting computer equipment in a loft is a good idea . my loft at the moment is about 55 degrees C , so you will probable need some air conditioning units in there as well !

Or some windows

 

[Rpa07]

Like that takes 5 minutes @Midwest !

 

[hightower]

If you take power from an existing Lighting cable & start using it to power computers etc, the cable will in all probability overheat and may well catch fire.
The minimum this will do is severely damage your property, which your Insurance won't cover.

Can't say I agree with this, the most it's going to do is trip the breaker due to overload. Can't see how a 15-20A cable on a 6A breaker is going to catch fire (assuming of course a typical domestic lighting circuit)

 

[Rpa07]

I think a point was being made @hightower - you wouldn't tap a power circuit with 13amp outlets on a 6 amp circuit so just go with the warning posts - which they are intended judging by the OP attitude.

 

[Octopus]

Sounds like a dedicated circuit would be the best way forward...

 

[Specialist]

Can't say I agree with this, the most it's going to do is trip the breaker due to overload. Can't see how a 15-20A cable on a 6A breaker is going to catch fire (assuming of course a typical domestic lighting circuit)

So you'd advocate someone connecting, sockets to a lighting circuit ?
Don't know how long you've been around this industry, but I've been around it long enough to have seen the aftermath of doing so on more than one occasion. Trust me it's not pretty.

 

[Rpa07]

So picture the scenario - you are up in the loft playing with your raspberry pi (still don't know what one of them is!) and the breaker goes due to the overloading that you've placed on the lighting circuit because you took the easiest route and spurred off the lighting circuit in the loft. No strong stairs, you have to manage yourself down the rickety loft ladder WITH NO LIGHTS 'CAUSE THEY'VE TRIPPED and reset your breaker - mmmmmh!

 

[hightower]

So you'd advocate someone connecting, sockets to a lighting circuit ?
Don't know how long you've been around this industry, but I've been around it long enough to have seen the aftermath of doing so on more than one occasion. Trust me it's not pretty.

Please show me where I've said such things? My post was merely in disagreement with what you said the outcome would be. A properly designed lighting circuit isn't going to burst in to flames - that's literally the first thing you learn at college. However, I agree with what everyone else has said about a dedicated circuit (or jumping off a more suitable circuit), I just disagree that (untrue) scare-mongering is the way to advise the OP to get a professional in.

 

[Specialist]

It's not scaremongering at all, fact seen it happen. Please don't insult me by trotting out the MCB will stop that happening, that's a crock.
When the op's 6a ? MCB has cleared an overload on multiple occasions then welded it's contacts together, ergo can't clear an overload. What happens then ?.

Anyway as far as I'm concerned, conversation over & done with.

 

[telectrix]

if an attic is insulated properly, i.e. between the roof rafters instead of on the floor, then the heat in summer is vastly reduced, and it doesn't freeze in winter. double bonus.