Run a socket off a lightswitch circuit

[Citizen55]

Hi all,

I have an existing light switch for the back garden electrics (nothing there at the moment). Just a normal switch inside the house.

I am planning to run some small lights around the garden and am also thinking of installing an outdoor 3pin outlet as well. This would be used mainly for a radio if its a nice day, or Christmas lights, or perhaps the strimmer, or electric lawnmower.

The outlet: Good idea running off the lighting circuit? Or will I overAMP the circuit causing cable heating etc.

Thanks, John

 

[danechip]

/me hides

 

[big-all]

heeelllooo and welcome Citizen55

not allowed on several levels
how many wires in the switch

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Hi all,

I have an existing light switch for the back garden electrics (nothing there at the moment). Just a normal switch inside the house.

So what does the switch control? What's on the load side?

I am planning to run some small lights around the garden and am also thinking of installing an outdoor 3pin outlet as well. This would be used mainly for a radio if its a nice day, or Christmas lights, or perhaps the strimmer, or electric lawnmower.

Do you live in England or Wales?

Is the circuit RCD protected?

Do you know the rules for installing cables outdoors?

The outlet: Good idea running off the lighting circuit?

No.

Or will I overAMP the circuit causing cable heating etc.

Hopefully not: //www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:mcbtocable

 

[Citizen55]

heeelllooo and welcome Citizen55

not allowed on several levels
how many wires in the switch

Thanks! It's about time I joined!

2 wires on the switch.

 

[Citizen55]

Hi all,

I have an existing light switch for the back garden electrics (nothing there at the moment). Just a normal switch inside the house.

So what does the switch control? What's on the load side?

Nothing - The previous owner had a floodlight (broken), but nothing else is on. I am going to run a few small lights around the garden.

I am planning to run some small lights around the garden and am also thinking of installing an outdoor 3pin outlet as well. This would be used mainly for a radio if its a nice day, or Christmas lights, or perhaps the strimmer, or electric lawnmower.

Do you live in England or Wales?
- England

Is the circuit RCD protected?
- Errr....No, unless its on the circuit breaker box itself.

Do you know the rules for installing cables outdoors?
I'm happy about weatherproofing and insulation, cables are all run inside conduit.

thanks for your help.

The outlet: Good idea running off the lighting circuit?

No.

Or will I overAMP the circuit causing cable heating etc.

Hopefully not: //www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:mcbtocable[/QUOTE][quote][/QUOTE][quote][/QUOTE][quote][/QUOTE]

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Hi all,

I have an existing light switch for the back garden electrics (nothing there at the moment). Just a normal switch inside the house.

I am planning to run some small lights around the garden and am also thinking of installing an outdoor 3pin outlet as well. This would be used mainly for a radio if its a nice day, or Christmas lights, or perhaps the strimmer, or electric lawnmower.

The outlet: Good idea running off the lighting circuit? Or will I overAMP the circuit causing cable heating etc.

Hello John,
Can I assume the light switch is on a circuit rated less than 13A?
If so this circuit will not be suitable a outside socket that is to power the likes of strimmers and lawnmowers as the current rating of the circuit is to low and you will encounter overloads and trips on the circuit.
It is also likely that you have no neutral at the switch anyway, so a soket would not function.
You need a supply current that is suitable for the load, you will also need suitably IP rated equipment for outside, this will also need RCD protection of 30mA.
If you live in England or Wales, you will need to comply to the notification procedures for this type of instillation.

 

[securespark]

not allowed on several levels

Yeah, basement, ground floor, first floor, attic....

 

[ChrisBee]

Hi all,

I have an existing light switch for the back garden electrics (nothing there at the moment). Just a normal switch inside the house.

I am planning to run some small lights around the garden and am also thinking of installing an outdoor 3pin outlet as well. This would be used mainly for a radio if its a nice day, or Christmas lights, or perhaps the strimmer, or electric lawnmower.

The outlet: Good idea running off the lighting circuit? Or will I overAMP the circuit causing cable heating etc.

Thanks, John

Hi John

As a fully fledged 17th Edition Sparks I can say just dont do it, as others have said its wrong on many many levels.

A socket for running equipment outside needs to be correctly wired and be RCD protected at the very least and requires to be done correctly, what your proposing is positively dangerous I'm afaid.

Chris

 

[ban-all-sheds]

2 wires on the switch.

No neutral then. Bit of a drawback as far as sockets are concerned.

- England

So you'll need to apply for Building Regulations approval before you start.

- Errr....No, unless its on the circuit breaker box itself.

You don't know if it's RCD protected but you were going to use it for a socket outdoors?

I'm happy about weatherproofing and insulation, cables are all run inside conduit.

That'll be "no", then.

 

[Citizen55]

OK, so it looks like a consensus on a 'no' don't do it, which is good because I didn't know and exactly why I asked the question.

Thanks for your help!

 

[securespark]

its wrong on many many levels.

Like stealing in a multi-storey car park?