Electrician Jobs Switch for entire lighting circuit?

[Alanm1969]

my eldest son has autism and learning disabilities. One of his behaviours is messing around with lights - either switching them on and off rapidly for a few seconds or going around switching on all the lights in the middle of the day.

Yes, we could go into the kitchen cupboard and use the mcb to switch off but a) they are not designed for regular switching on and off and b) it's a pain to do it as we have to lock the cupboard doors!

What we would like is something that I presume can be wired in close to the mcu that has wireless connectivity so we can switch off more conveniently. Is this possible?

If not wireless, then we need to have a switch somewhere that is more convenient to use but hidden from my son (perhaps with a closure over it?)

Many thanks,

We have two 6a circuits with all light fittings led except for a fluorescent tube in loft.

Alan..

 

[Ian1981]

Don't know about wireless but you could have the lights wired through a contactor with a single switch controlling the contactor coil

 

[telectrix]

Don't know about wireless but you could have the lights wired through a contactor with a single switch controlling the contactor coil

that's my first thought also.

 

[Ian1981]

Also to give you more control the switch for the contactor could be a key switch

 

[Resu]

Contactor with key switch that way the switch could be somewhere more accessible.

EDIT: beaten to it!

 

[Andy-1960]

You could fit a contactor in the cu and switch it via an active relay or plug from one of the smart home systems such as Nest, Hive or Lightwave, etc.

 

[Octopus]

Much cheaper and easier to fit LED bulbs in all light fittings, so if the lights are left on the useage won't be much...

 

[telectrix]

Much cheaper and easier to fit LED bulbs in all light fittings, so if the lights are left on the useage won't be much...

post #1.all are LED except for loft light.

 

[Octopus]

^^ I must get my eyes tested....

 

[Alanm1969]

Wow - immediate response - thanks guys. And all in agreement too! Can pass this on to sparky when he arrives!

Alan..

 

[ImpededLoop]

Why use a contractor? A 20A DP switch would be sufficient.

 

[telectrix]

Why use a contractor? A 20A DP switch would be sufficient.

not on my watch. 2 circuits in 1 switch is bad practice, unless you meant 2 switches, 1 for each circuit.

 

[Ian1981]

Why use a contractor? A 20A DP switch would be sufficient.

You can have 2 lighting circuits separate in the contactor across separate contacts and just the one switch for the coil.
You then can keep the lights on 2 separate protective devices.

 

[ImpededLoop]

not on my watch. 2 circuits in 1 switch is bad practice, unless you meant 2 switches, 1 for each circuit.

Sorry, I missed the final paragraph of the OP which stated two circuits. I wouldn't put two circuits across a DP switch either!

There could be advantages to having two separate switches so not all of the lights have to be isolated at once. It could be done with 2 grid switches on one plate.

 

[ImpededLoop]

You can have 2 lighting circuits separate in the contactor across separate contacts and just the one switch for the coil.
You then can keep the lights on 2 separate protective devices.

Sorry I'd missed the bit about 2 circuits!