neat wall flex outlet

[John D v2.0]

Hi all,
I'm wiring a bedside wall light that comes with a standard plug into two way switching. I want the most unobtrusive solution as it will be right next to the bed.

Would this be okay to go behind an MK double grid switch and an MK double switch as it says it's designed for FCU/20A switches?
https://www.bgelectrical.uk/wiring-devices/moulded/surface-boxes-blank-plates#8CGS

My main concern at the moment is whether it would foul the mechanism but there may be other reasons not to do this.

Other options I've considered are

• normal pendant rose on the wall - ugly!
• normal 1 gang flex outlet plate on the wall - ugly
• plaster the cable into the wall and screw a small thin piece of wood to the wall and put a cord grip behind that - a bit jerry rigged
  
  

Any further suggestion would be appreciated!

 

[Sureitsoff?]

the "usual" way is to have the "output" of the switching feeding a socket which the lamp gets plugged into as normal. its what I do. the socket can then be away from the bed behind a bedside unit for example

 

[EFLImpudence]

Why don't you bury the cables?

I realise it will mess up the decor (until you redecorate) but so will cables and accessories all over the place.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

You could fuse the circuit down to 2amp, fit a 2amp socket, then swap the 13amp plug on the light to a 2amp plug.

Usually wall lights have the supply cable emerge into the rear of the fitting though, so I do wonder why it has a plug at all?

 

[JohnD]

show us a picture of your lamp please.

I understand you to mean there is no cable or outlet in the wall so you want to fix the lamp to the wall and have the lamp flex dangle down and plug into a socket. Is that right?

 

[John D v2.0]

Here is the current situation

 

[John D v2.0]

Thanks for the replies everyone that's helpful!

the "usual" way is to have the "output" of the switching feeding a socket which the lamp gets plugged into as normal. its what I do. the socket can then be away from the bed behind a bedside unit for example

yeah I could drop a cable down below but I would prefer to have the flex from the light fairly short

Why don't you bury the cables?

I realise it will mess up the decor (until you redecorate) but so will cables and accessories all over the place.

Yes I'm happy to bury them, just what happens when they emerge from the wall. I would prefer to have something unobtrustive at that point, rather than a whole socket. I already have a double socket and a double switch which are horizontally aligned.

You could fuse the circuit down to 2amp, fit a 2amp socket, then swap the 13amp plug on the light to a 2amp plug.

Usually wall lights have the supply cable emerge into the rear of the fitting though, so I do wonder why it has a plug at all?

it was designed as a desk lamp, and the wall mount version is just the desk lamp with an extra bracket. I'd probably go for a flex outlet plate before a 2a socket, but that is what I was hoping to avoid.

show us a picture of your lamp please.

I understand you to mean there is no cable or outlet in the wall so you want to fix the lamp to the wall and have the lamp flex dangle down and plug into a socket. Is that right?

Se above. There are cables ready in a backbox in the wall, there's no need for the lamp to be unpluggable, and I'd rather not have the flex dangling more than is necessary. I'm looking for the neatest way to get the connection into the backbox (that is safe).

 

[EFLImpudence]

Drill a hole in the lamp base for cable.

 

[JohnW2]

Se above. There are cables ready in a backbox in the wall, there's no need for the lamp to be unpluggable, and I'd rather not have the flex dangling more than is necessary. I'm looking for the neatest way to get the connection into the backbox (that is safe).

I'm a bit confused. I know that you said "...normal 1 gang flex outlet plate on the wall - ugly", but what's 'ugly' about something like this (see here) ....

Particularly given that there is a socket in the vicinity, I would have thought that one would struggle find anything 'less ugly' than something like the above?

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnD]

A switched fused flex outlet would be suitable, if the wall box is spurred off the socket circuit. There is no need for a torpedo switch.

Buy some white flex.

 

[John D v2.0]

Drill a hole in the lamp base for cable.

Would that be okay with no specific strain relief? That would be the best solution assuming heavy cast iron is easy enough to drill.

, I would have thought that one would struggle find anything 'less ugly' than something like the above?

True but we have that exact setup in the kitchen for the counter lights and it doesn't look great.
I am indeed struggling as you correctly observe! A plain wall is the least ugly in theory.

wall box is spurred off the socket circuit

Actually it's going to be on the lighting circuit, the socket is on a different circuit although the wiring is all in the same chases.

 

[JohnD]

Actually it's going to be on the lighting circuit, the socket is on a different circuit although the wiring is all in the same chases.

Then a simple flex outlet would do, but has no switch, so I prefer the SFCU

 

[John D v2.0]

Then a simple flex outlet would do, but has no switch, so I prefer the SFCU

Yes it would have been simpler but that wouldn't work with the two way switching. The other switch will be by the door. I'm wondering whether one of those fancy WiFi enabled bulbs and smart switches might have been the answer!

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

That would be the best solution assuming heavy cast iron is easy enough to drill.

It is very easy to drill, much softer than steel.

 

[OwainDIYer]

Would this be okay to go behind an MK double grid switch and an MK double switch as it says it's designed for FCU/20A switches?
https://www.bgelectrical.uk/wiring-devices/moulded/surface-boxes-blank-plates#8CGS
View attachment 182488
My main concern at the moment is whether it would foul the mechanism but there may be other reasons not to do this.

Interesting, not seen that before. I'd suggest it would be better behind a BG switch as the MK edge contour may not be identical.