Wiring lights in a garage
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Flash G 74
Well-Known Member
Hello, I have put lights up in an old lean to using a near by socket but put a plug on the light wire with a 5 amp fuse
Caberfeidh
Well-Known Member
If it’s a permanent fixture then It may be better to put a fused spur or switched fused spur then connect to your lights.
This is why we have Part P of the building regs… and electricians.
If you've already got a twin socket there, the best way to sort lighting is to simply use one of those (with a plug). There's nothing wrong with securing the lead or an extension from a socket to anything to keep it out of the way. Really, anything else and these days you should be using an electrician and complying with regs. Which would be better, but obviously there's a cost to that.
I don't see why not.
No different from using any plug-in wanderlead type lamp, I wouldn't have thought?
(Incidentally, I'm running my whole larder through an extension lead run from a plug socket. That includes the lighting, chiller unit, freezer, water heater, vac packer, mincer and scales. Nothing's caught fire yet).
Skietindiekop
Well-Known Member
Some of the above comments are both wrong and against the law.
A fused spur connected to the 13a socket outlet would be the correct way to reduce the current to the correct fuse protection but it should be signed off to satisfy the regulations and this involves checking everything back to the electric meter so any earthing issues can be resolved.
There are plenty of YouTube videos that will help you do it properly and perfectly legal for you to do the work. Testing is a legally required qualification so you won’t be able to sign off without help.
countrryboy
Well-Known Member
I'd just run it off a plug, even an RCD plug if u wanted extra safety.
U could still have a proper light switch on the wall, just ur powers coming of the 3 pin plug.
Just obvious to anyone doing work on it in future.
Write or stick a sticker on the plug.
If u took the power from it as another spur, someone could turn the lighting fuse off to do work on it and that would still be live.
U could still have a proper light switch on the wall, just ur powers coming of the 3 pin plug.
Just obvious to anyone doing work on it in future.
Write or stick a sticker on the plug.
If u took the power from it as another spur, someone could turn the lighting fuse off to do work on it and that would still be live.
No, well not legally anyway.
You could wire the lamps in series, into a 5A fused plug, clip up the wires and then get one of these from Ikea ...
TRETAKT smart plug with remote control - IKEA UK
Control any lamp or appliance with ease using this smart plug and remote. Pre-paired for instant use, it’s a simple way to add smart functionality to your home.
www.ikea.com
or these ...
Masterplug 13A Remote Control Socket - Pack of 2 | Wickes.co.uk
Masterplug 13A Remote Control Socket - Pack of 2
www.wickes.co.uk
Speaking as a sparky, if you want it right get an electrician in. Unless you have the knowledge to know if the circuit supplying your double socket in the garage conforms to the regs, and if what ever earthing system you have is also adequate you could get a nasty shock if something goes wrong. DIY Fault protection is like a seat belt in a car, you'll not know if it works until you need it.
If you do decide to DIY get an RCD double socket to replace the existing one and use a plug like you first suggested, but unless you're earthing is correct the RCD may not operate correctly.
Hope that helps.
If you do decide to DIY get an RCD double socket to replace the existing one and use a plug like you first suggested, but unless you're earthing is correct the RCD may not operate correctly.
Hope that helps.
Bo Diddley
Well-Known Member
Put a 5 amp plug in the plug top
A standard 13amp plug socket
Not ideal but...
2kw water heater = 8amp ish (not continuous load)
Chiller pump... 500w max (again not continuously running) 0 5amp
Freezer 500w max 0.5 amp not continuous?
Led lights (not worth including)
Scales, low voltage, not worth including.
Vacuum packer 1kw max??4 amp...
Odds are you will.get away with it, but plugtop and socket may get warm
In sparkle speak, "diversity " not that it really counts for extension leads
Last edited:
With electricity, I try to remember this.
Yes.A standard 13amp plug socket
Bo Diddley
Well-Known Member
The water heater could be, and not ideal, but no reason not to work... doesn't make it safe or reliable or stop your insurance being invalidated (thought I'd better add that as a competent electrician!)
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