Remove/relocate double socket on light circuit?

[MrCow]

Hi all,

In my loft I have a double gang 240v socket and a (is it?) FCU. I think this was something to do with an air filtration/recirculation unit the last owner had but removed it. The socket has been left in situ working but where its located is a bit inpractical as they are in the middle of the loft. I also note there is no fuse in the fcu however the sockets still work?
I would like to remove or possibly relocate these sockets but would like to pick your brains.
These sockets are are on the downstairs lighting circuit. This seemed a bit strange at first but there is a feed from downstairs (a "boost" switch is in the kitchen for the now missing air unit) and it would have been low load, I guess it makes sense. Can anyone explain the wiring in the attached picture? If I was to remove these sockets what would be the suggested way to restore the lighting circuit. Or if I was to relocate them to somewhere else, e.g on the wall, how would I go about wiring, with consideration to differences in wire thickness requirements (sockets on a lighting circuit etc..) and protecting the lighting circuit from a faulty appliance being plugged in? If I was to retain the sockets then this would only be or very low load applications (a wifi or tv booster perhaps) and labelled as such.
If it's too complicated I'll get a sparky but just wanted opinions.

Ta

 

[winston1]

For a start, although many electricians disagree, a 13a socket on the lighting is very bad practice.

If there is no fuse in the FCU it is not supplying the socket. The wiring needs tracing. Difficult to say from the pic but I doubt removing it will stop the lighting circuit from operating.

Best to remove it and start again with a feed from the ring final. One double socket can be on a radial. More than one will need a FCU.

 

[JohnD]

a 13a socket on the lighting is very bad practice.

No it isn't, although a very small number of ignorant amateurs disagree.

It is quite a good idea to label yours, for example "max load 6Amp, for aerial amplifier only" or whatever it is for.

 

[winston1]

No it isn't, although a very small number of ignorant amateurs disagree.

It is quite a good idea to label yours, for example "max load 6Amp, for aerial amplifier only" or whatever it is for.

There you are. Told you some electricians disagree with what is common sense. Think of the consequences of someone plugging a large load, maybe a vacuum cleaner, and plunging the loft into darkness. Foot through the ceiling?

 

[bernardgreen]

For a start, although many electricians disagree, a 13a socket on the lighting is very bad practice.

I see Winston1 has increased his level of concern from "bad practice" to "very bad practice"

Winston1 has an opinion, which even the people who write the regulations do not agree with,

 

[Tigercubrider]

who in **** hoovers their loft?
anyone with common sense would investigate a socket up there and realise what it was connected to.

 

[RandomGrinch]

who in **** hoovers their loft?

I have!
...don't like spiders!

...although I do have a 16A radial up there for the TV distribution amp

 

[bernardgreen]

who in **** hoovers their loft?

it could be a 3 kW pirate radio transmitter in the loft

 

[winston1]

who in **** hoovers their loft?

Hoover is not a verb, it is a proper noun. What do you mean?

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

With a small 'h' and an 's' on the end it *is* a verb.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Hoover is not a verb, it is a proper noun. What do you mean?

Pedantry should be a capital offence.

 

[JohnD]

Told you some electricians disagree with what is common sense.

to disagree with winston, is not to disagree with common sense.

 

[JohnD]

... just wanted opinions.

and you've got some.

 

[SUNRAY]

For a start, although many electricians disagree, a 13a socket on the lighting is very bad practice.

If there is no fuse in the FCU it is not supplying the socket. The wiring needs tracing. Difficult to say from the pic but I doubt removing it will stop the lighting circuit from operating.

Best to remove it and start again with a feed from the ring final. One double socket can be on a radial. More than one will need a FCU.

I see winston1 has increased his level of concern from "bad practice" to "very bad practice"

Winston1 has an opinion, which even the people who write the regulations do not agree with,

Equally winston1 has increased the level of his 'bad incorrect advice' to 'very bad incorrect advice'

 

[Andydevon]

Why not jut change them to the old round pin socket & then it can't be used without the round pin plug? Or is that just too simple a solution?

2 Amp 3 Pin Round Socket- Nexus - White | BG (828-01)