Under Cabinet Lighting

[Jelj360]

Hi guys. Nice to be back on the forums! Might be a silly question but I've been out of the trade for a couple of years and I'm a bit rusty, so be gentle with me. I want to install low energy 230v Under Cabinet Lights in my kitchen. They are the individually switched type. I have three cabinets all on different walls. My plan is to wire each one directly to the lighting circuit, via a separate feed and switch line, so I can switch them all on/off at the main two gang switch as well as idividually ( the 2nd gang being for the main kitchen lights. Is this a safe and correct method and if so, when I buy the lights, should the come with the correct lead or do I run 1.5mm T&E down to them? Thanks in advance for your help :redface:

 

[telectrix]

run a 1.0mm T/E from each light to the switch position. feed both L and N to the switch position. this will give you a flexible approach as to how many switches you want to control lights.

 

[Jelj360]

Thanks telectrix. The lighting is wired 3 plate though, so could I just run the three T&E to the main connection point in the ceiling? also are there particular models of light that you can run T&E into? I don't fancy adapting the units if they have 2 pin plug leads. The lights I have in mind by the way are slimline switched fluoro tubes

 

[telectrix]

get the lights first, then you can see what is required.

 

[Jelj360]

OK so, suppose I run a radial feed around the edge of the ceiling, with a JB above each unit. A switch line to the 2 gang wall switch. Then, with the supplied leads which are two pin at one end, open at the other, run them up the back of the cabinet and into the JBs. Sound good?

 

[Richard Burns]

Put small junction boxes beside the lights under the cabinets, they will not be usually visible and are much easier to access for maintenance, run the rest of the circuit in T&E.

If you have enough room at the three plate then you could wire them all at the fitting but it would be very crowded with seven cables in it and you would need an additional connection for the switch line for the under cupboards!.

 

[Rockingit]

In the past I've done this same thing by putting a box into the wall in the most central position, running the loop and s/l to it, then running chased 1mm T&E to each cabinet position at the top and making crimp connections onto the little white leads that come with the lights. The box becomes a wiring centre, blank plate over the top and no-ones the wiser (especially if you think about where you put it) but it's still good for service and inspection.

 

[Jelj360]

Excellent ideas there, I like the small JB under the unit one-as I'm putting trim along the bottom edge of the units they'll be completely hidden. I've got some lights now that have the supplied leads with male and female ends. Instructions say cut off the socket end if its the first light on the circuit, then wire into a 3A fused spur or put a 13A plug on it. Instead of that could I just run it into the JB? They are 230v T4 mini slimline flouro link lights.