N
nemo
Hi , I'm a new member and resorted to joining this forum in an attempt to get to the bottom of a frustrating problem. I can see many forums where this is discussed but not many give a definite answer , maybe there isn't one. Scenario is upgrading bathroom completely and as part of this new downlighters to be fitted replacing 1 filament bulb. Plumber came to give estimate and checked consumer unit to get shower cable size. This was fine but he noted that currently the upstairs lights which fed the bathroom were not fed from the RCD section of the CU. I said I would ensure that this was corrected before the bathroom work was started. So moved the live and neutral for upstairs lights from non RCD section to RCD section (own mcb).
All well until later that night , switched on landing light from hallway switch and RCD tripped knocking all upstairs lights off. So scratched my head for a few mins then worked out the problem. Yes , the
2 gang 2 way switch in the hallway which controlled the hall and landing lights had a single live feed connected across the 2 gangs. Really a borrowed live situation.So that was the problem but how to rectify?
1. Run a new live feed to the switch from RCD side of CU , problem is that this would require decoration being damaged outside bathroom. Customer not happy with this. Also you would then end up with 2 separate live feeds in the hallway switch , is this permissible? ( Landing light would be upstairs live feed and hallway downstairs live feed in same backbox).
2. Put both the downstairs and upstairs on same mcb in the RCD side of CU. This is easiest option but means that if RCD trips for any reason then all lights will be out. If customer is happy with this and signs a disclaimer is this a valid solution?
3. I have been advised by an electrician friend that maybe the answer is to fit 2 emergency lights , one in hall one on landing , that would come on if RCD trips. Not sure if cust would be happy with this disruption to decor.
So it seems that the relatively minor job of swapping a filament bulb for some downlighters would cause significant expense and disruption.
I favour solution 2 for minimum expense and disruption but if I did this am I in breach of any regs?
All well until later that night , switched on landing light from hallway switch and RCD tripped knocking all upstairs lights off. So scratched my head for a few mins then worked out the problem. Yes , the
2 gang 2 way switch in the hallway which controlled the hall and landing lights had a single live feed connected across the 2 gangs. Really a borrowed live situation.So that was the problem but how to rectify?
1. Run a new live feed to the switch from RCD side of CU , problem is that this would require decoration being damaged outside bathroom. Customer not happy with this. Also you would then end up with 2 separate live feeds in the hallway switch , is this permissible? ( Landing light would be upstairs live feed and hallway downstairs live feed in same backbox).
2. Put both the downstairs and upstairs on same mcb in the RCD side of CU. This is easiest option but means that if RCD trips for any reason then all lights will be out. If customer is happy with this and signs a disclaimer is this a valid solution?
3. I have been advised by an electrician friend that maybe the answer is to fit 2 emergency lights , one in hall one on landing , that would come on if RCD trips. Not sure if cust would be happy with this disruption to decor.
So it seems that the relatively minor job of swapping a filament bulb for some downlighters would cause significant expense and disruption.
I favour solution 2 for minimum expense and disruption but if I did this am I in breach of any regs?
