Power Supply?- Installing 12v Dowlights (MR16) in Parallel

[shocksmith222]

Just a quick one to get a feel for what other sparks are doing when installing 12v downlights into kitchens etc (in existing properties, not newbuild).
I have a customer who wants me to install their new (9x) downlights at the cheapest price (no suprise) so as this has an impact on the amount of work I am going to do I just thought I would see what others are doing...

Would you prefer to utilise:
1) Taking power from an existing downstairs lighting circuit? (assumes that the demand for total power (Watts) over that entire circuit will not exceed the existing 6AMP MCB/1.5T&E Cable.)
OR
2) Running a new CU feed (circuit) with its own MCB solely for the downlights?

Thanks for views/feedback.

 

[telectrix]

what are the downlights , are they extra or replacing existing fittings? if replacing, say an existing ceiling fitting, i would come off the existing. checking as you say, total load on the circuit

 

[shocksmith222]

Doh! - Should have added that the downlights are NEW (extra and in addition). Currently the kitchen has a standard ceiling rose only.

 

[telectrix]

9 50w downlights= 450w = <2A. so i would come off existing light. via a switch of course. small JB at each downlight and flex to fitting

 

[malcolmsanford]

An average 3 bed house if they have a split lighting system of upstairs/downstairs, the downstairs circuit works out on average about 6 lights. If you take that as your 100watt per unit then your talking about just over 2 amps without the 66% diversity.. If your MCB is just 5amps then you still have quite a bit to play with. Unless your fitting a vast amount then come of the exisiting rose.