Hi Guys,
I am currently getting a kitchen overhaul and want to install some unit/kick-board lights. I want to be able to control the unit lights with the light-switch which controls the down-lights in the kitchen ceiling. I have swapped the switch out for a double switch.
The lights have came for the units but they require a plug socket. Currently i have created a double plug socket with a plastic external backbox which i have wired slightly different. I have attached a diagram of how this is currently wired up. The source of electricity (yellow spark in the diagram) is basically just an added spur from an existing socket. I have then decided to wire the live wire directly to the light-switch and a 'switched live' coming from the light switch going back to the 'L' part of the plug socket. Hopefully the diagram will better explain this.
My questions are, is this safe to do so, or is there an easier way to accomplish what i am trying to do? As i know you should never create a plug socket spur from a lighting circuit as they are rated differently. So am i creating any potential risk by adding the 2 circuits in a single back-box for the light-switch even though they don't actually come into contact with eachother as they will be wired to different individual switches on the same faceplate. Also, what is the situation with the earth cables for this setup? The backbox is a plastic dry-wall one so there is no earthing to be done for the back box. So would i combine the 2 earth cables into the same earth-lug on the metal faceplate of the lightswitch?
Any advice is much appreciated.
P.S i do not want to hear how i should be calling a qualified electrician in to do the job, i am simply just asking for advice and trying to educate myself in this sector. So those statements are irrelevant.
Thanks in advance!
I am currently getting a kitchen overhaul and want to install some unit/kick-board lights. I want to be able to control the unit lights with the light-switch which controls the down-lights in the kitchen ceiling. I have swapped the switch out for a double switch.
The lights have came for the units but they require a plug socket. Currently i have created a double plug socket with a plastic external backbox which i have wired slightly different. I have attached a diagram of how this is currently wired up. The source of electricity (yellow spark in the diagram) is basically just an added spur from an existing socket. I have then decided to wire the live wire directly to the light-switch and a 'switched live' coming from the light switch going back to the 'L' part of the plug socket. Hopefully the diagram will better explain this.
My questions are, is this safe to do so, or is there an easier way to accomplish what i am trying to do? As i know you should never create a plug socket spur from a lighting circuit as they are rated differently. So am i creating any potential risk by adding the 2 circuits in a single back-box for the light-switch even though they don't actually come into contact with eachother as they will be wired to different individual switches on the same faceplate. Also, what is the situation with the earth cables for this setup? The backbox is a plastic dry-wall one so there is no earthing to be done for the back box. So would i combine the 2 earth cables into the same earth-lug on the metal faceplate of the lightswitch?
Any advice is much appreciated.
P.S i do not want to hear how i should be calling a qualified electrician in to do the job, i am simply just asking for advice and trying to educate myself in this sector. So those statements are irrelevant.
Thanks in advance!
