Key switch, normal lights and emergency lights

[dave19]

Hi Guys,

I'm doing some wiring tomorrow in conduit and singles. I have a key switch, a 2way switch, normal lights and emergecy lights on this circuit in this particular rool. I just wanted to use your expertise on how to wire this. I posted a similar question a few weeks back but can't find it. I'm fairly new to the game so I'd appreciate your help.

Dave.

 

[MDJ]

If there are combined emergency and normal lights then you need to ensure the key switch breaks both lives, the permanent and the switch live, but if you only have an exit box for example then just break the feed to that, if combined lights best to take the feed to the key switch and then from the other side feed the normal switches and feed to the emergency's, so when the key is used and switched off the switches die, you need to give a bit more info on what is emergency really so we can tell you how to connect via the switches.

 

[dave19]

If there are combined emergency and normal lights then you need to ensure the key switch breaks both lives, the permanent and the switch live, but if you only have an exit box for example then just break the feed to that, if combined lights best to take the feed to the key switch and then from the other side feed the normal switches and feed to the emergency's, so when the key is used and switched off the switches die, you need to give a bit more info on what is emergency really so we can tell you how to connect via the switches.

The guy I am working with mentioned that there would be 7 cables going down the first tube ?? I assumed a feed in, the two strappers to the other switch, two earth (make it 5) .. can you help with the rest.

 

[MDJ]

No not really without knowing how he intends to wire the circuit, as mentioned if there are combined emergency/ normal lights then you need to feed the key switch and then feed normal switches and emergency battery packs via a permanent live from the out going side of the key switch, if the emergency lights are seperate and not combined then not so, so you need to tell us what emergency lights are there and how many and whether they are combined or not then we can help, otherwise it is just guess work.

 

[arkin]

i always feed the switch live first dont need all the lights going off during routine testing

 

[MDJ]

I would agree with that arkin, but if there are say 10 lights in a room and 5 are combined emergency, and there are combined emergency's on all switches you would have to have the key break them all in that instant to ensure both lives (switch live and battery supply) were broken, thats why the OP needs to give more info.

 

[arkin]

as long as you switch the em live combined or not the ems will go in to test mode

 

[dave19]

No not really without knowing how he intends to wire the circuit, as mentioned if there are combined emergency/ normal lights then you need to feed the key switch and then feed normal switches and emergency battery packs via a permanent live from the out going side of the key switch, if the emergency lights are seperate and not combined then not so, so you need to tell us what emergency lights are there and how many and whether they are combined or not then we can help, otherwise it is just guess work.

I believe that the emergency lights are on with the normal lights.

 

[Adam W]

i always feed the switch live first dont need all the lights going off during routine testing

It depends on the situation - it can be a lot easier to see what is working and what is not if all the other lights go out, but if it's an internal corridor where the testing is likely to take place when the building is in use you'll need to leave some lights on.
Take the permanent feed into the switchbox, into the keyswitch then out to the switch for your switched live; link out from the incoming side of the keyswitch if you want the lights to stay on, the outgoing side if you want the lights to go off.
Permanent feed to the lights goes from the outgoing side of the key switch, switched live to the lights obviously goes from the outgoing side of the switch.
Neutral can either go straight to the lights or joint at the switch.

 

[dave19]

It depends on the situation - it can be a lot easier to see what is working and what is not if all the other lights go out, but if it's an internal corridor where the testing is likely to take place when the building is in use you'll need to leave some lights on.
Take the permanent feed into the switchbox, into the keyswitch then out to the switch for your switched live; link out from the incoming side of the keyswitch if you want the lights to stay on, the outgoing side if you want the lights to go off.
Permanent feed to the lights goes from the outgoing side of the key switch, switched live to the lights obviously goes from the outgoing side of the switch.
Neutral can either go straight to the lights or joint at the switch.

So from that tube connecting to the key switch and first 2 way switch would there be 7 cables as he thought ?

 

[Progressing]

Permanent in and out (2)
switch line out (1)
earth in and out (2)
neutral straight to the first fitting.
5 total but 7 if he decides to take down the neutrals.