Ligh switch to operate a plug socket ?

jfk3000 · Jul 12, 2016

Hi

I can looking to run a spur of a socket to a double socket to pug in my outdoor deck lights, however the two plugs for these are quite bulky I don't want them visible so was planning hide the socket under the kitchen cupboard but operate them trough a standard two gang light switch.

ie spur off a current socket, then fuse down to 3amp, then into a new light switch, then to new spur double socket which is kept permanently on, can this be done ?

Many thanks
John

Darkwood · Jul 12, 2016

Welcome to the forum

I will ask Admin' to assign you with a DIY tag to ensure members tailor there answers according to your level and knowledge of electrics.

ETO · Jul 13, 2016

Do you have rcd protection for the circuit going outside?

DPG · Jul 13, 2016

What about feeding the socket via a switched FCU. The light switch feeding a 13A socket is far from ideal. Daz

Deleted member 26818 · Jul 13, 2016

A 20A light switch would be acceptable.
From what I gather, it would only be the outside lighting which would be outside.
I am assuming due to the bulky plugs, that the lighting is elv?
As such RCD protection would not be a requirement.

egg67 · Jul 13, 2016

Go with something like lightwave for the socket , then just have one lightwave switch to turn it on or off, the switches work of a battery and I've just paid with the socket

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jfk3000 · Jul 13, 2016

Hi the spur would be coming of the ring main which is RCD protected. the outside lights are low Volt led's. slight ament to original design, the reason why I needed the two gang light switch was I wanted to operate the two plugs separately but now realise I will need to use two single sockets rather than one double so they can be operated independently using the double light switch.

jfk3000 · Jul 13, 2016

i intend to spur off the ring main which is red protected, the outside lights will be LV leds

egg67 · Jul 13, 2016

For you as a diyer the best Way to go would be a lightwave 13 amp socket, you then get one of there RF switches pair it to the socket then sick it to the wall wherever you want it, it can be sent up to turn one side on or both sides on or one side off or both sides off

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Adam W · Jul 13, 2016

It can be done, yes - the socket could be fed from a contactor controlled by the lighting circuit, or you could fuse down a control circuit so everything is isolated from a single point.
Maybe a bit long winded but there doesn't seem to be a neat way of installing these plug-in light kits short of using a separate driver - personally I don't like them.

Remember any electrical work done in a domestic kitchen would be subject to part P.

sparksburnout · Jul 13, 2016

Adam W said:
It can be done, yes - the socket could be fed from a contactor controlled by the lighting circuit, or you could fuse down a control circuit so everything is isolated from a single point.
Maybe a bit long winded but there doesn't seem to be a neat way of installing these plug-in light kits short of using a separate driver - personally I don't like them.

Remember any electrical work done in a domestic kitchen would be subject to part P.

Would it? I have had a couple of home brews now but I think kitchens are not special locations now dude.....Will stand corrected though

jfk3000 · Jul 13, 2016

Many thanks for all your replies and help, have decided to go down the remote route, much appreciated

john

Deleted member 26818 · Jul 14, 2016

You can purchase double gang back boxes which are designed for two single sockets.
You could then control the two sockets individually from a 20A 2gang light switch.