Lighting circuit doubled up...

[whazza22]

Hi all,

What's your thoughts on a lighting circuit doubled up in an mcb?

My friends flat has one circuit for the bedroom and front room lights, then a separate circuit for the kitchen, hall and bathroom.

I don't see a problem with making it into 1 circuit which will then provide a spare way.

Would this flag up when a periodic test and inspection is carried out?

 

[Farmelectrics]

what do you need the spare way for

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what do you need the spare way for

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what do you need the spare way for

 

[Farmelectrics]

dont no what happened there only typed it in once lol.

 

[whazza22]

For a radial circuit as someone previously has put a ring and radial together in one mcb!!

There are no spare ways

 

[MDJ]

What is connected to the 2 circuits doubled up? what size MCB is currently protecting the circuits? What size conductors are installed to the 2 circuits? I expect there will be no problem but worth checking these important issues out to confirm safety of the circuits and Householder.

 

[whazza22]

There are 2 5amp lighting circuits wired in 1.5mm.

One circuit has 2 ceiling roses + 2 wall lights and the other circuit has 4 ceiling roses. It's only a single storey flat.

Lets say the maximum wattage would be 60w x 8 = 480w max.

That would give just over 2 amps.

By calculation there is no problem but didn't know whether it is acceptable under a test and inspect.

 

[MDJ]

Fine IMO, I would prefer individual breakers but it is what it is I suppose, I have seen it thousands of times and never worry about it if everything is looked at properly. Whats the ZS readings out of interest?

 

[whazza22]

Fine IMO, I would prefer individual breakers but it is what it is I suppose, I have seen it thousands of times and never worry about it if everything is looked at properly. Whats the ZS readings out of interest?

Haven't started the job yet, just had a quick look

 

[markc123]

As MDJ said!

Better if on individual breakers, but theres nothing wrong with it really when there's only going to be that amount of lights - i don't really like having more than 10lights on a breaker, you'll only have 8 so IMO aslong as it all tests out okay then go for it.

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As MDJ said!

Better if on individual breakers, but theres nothing wrong with it really when there's only going to be that amount of lights - i don't really like having more than 10lights on a breaker, you'll only have 8 so IMO aslong as it all tests out okay then go for it.

 

[thekingiam]

as already calculated it's fine, although are these all thelights in the house?
would rcd /mcb take out all the lights leaving the house in darkness?

 

[whazza22]

Yes that is all of the lights.

It isn't a dual rcd consumer unit as there are only 6 ways. They are all on mcbs so if it did take out the rcd then both circuits would go out anyway

 

[thekingiam]

ok if an old board then as you say rcd would knock out all lights anyways so you are not making it any worste and not your job to make into 17 th eddition regs.

 

[markc123]

Yeah but when a lamp blows it can just take out an MCB at times - this would cause all the lights to go out aswell.

Tbh that's only the real issue - if a problem arises you're going to lose all the lights at the same time, apart from that there's nothing wrong with it buddy - its your job so its your call

 

[whazza22]

Yeah true.

Will leave it up to the customer

Cheers for your input

 

[thekingiam]

notifiable though i believe as you are changing the circuits design.