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Adding switch inside to Outside Security light.

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  • 04-03-2014 9:12pm
    #1
    mickger844posts
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 4,467 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    I currently have a outside security light wired to a double socket for power. It works fine but i want the option to be able to cut power to the light by way of a switch. What is the best way to do this assuming i cut the cable inside and have two sets of live, neutral and earth wires?


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    #2
    KoolKid
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 24,789 Mod ✭✭✭✭KoolKid


    Just run the live through the switch when its off its off totally.
    Bear in mind under normal operation the switch should be left on.


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    #3
    mickger844posts
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 4,467 Mod ✭✭✭✭mickger844posts


    KoolKid wrote: »
    Just run the live through the switch when its off its off totally.
    Bear in mind under normal operation the switch should be left on.

    So i only need to split the live wire and have one Live going to L1 and the other to Common? Earth and Neutral don't need to be split?


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    #4
    Tokyo
    Registered Users Posts: 22,655 ✭✭✭✭Tokyo


    mickger844posts wrote: »
    So i only need to split the live wire and have one Live going to L1 and the other to Common? Earth and Neutral don't need to be split?

    Yes, only the live has to be switched - the earth and neutral remain untouched. Though, to be honest, for safety's sake, if your knowledge of electrics is that rudimentary, it may be worth your while getting the help of someone to make sure that the job is done right.


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    #5
    2011
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,594 Mod ✭✭✭✭2011


    mickger844posts wrote: »
    So i only need to split the live wire and have one Live going to L1 and the other to Common? Earth and Neutral don't need to be split?

    Normally only the live (sometimes called the phase) is "broken" through the switch and the neutral and earth are not. This means that when the switch is operated the neutral and earth conductors remain connected to the light at all times, but the live is connected/disconnected.
    I currently have a outside security light wired to a double socket for power.

    It is not good practice to feed a light from a socket and depending on how it is done it may not comply with the regulations.


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    #6
    Cerco
    Registered Users Posts: 2,039 ✭✭✭Cerco


    I would suggest you use a switched fused spur connection from your lighting circuit.


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    #7
    mickger844posts
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 4,467 Mod ✭✭✭✭mickger844posts


    Cerco wrote: »
    I would suggest you use a switched fused spur connection from your lighting circuit.

    So the same principal as a standard one way switch just using the two lives to respective connections on the switched fused spur?


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    #8
    Cerco
    Registered Users Posts: 2,039 ✭✭✭Cerco


    I would use a double pole switched fuse spur. You then switch both live and neutral. Google switched fuse spur for further info.


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    #9
    jpb14
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 322 ✭✭jpb14


    10amp double pole switch will do the job for external lights.If its for external power sockets then its a 20amp double pole switch you need.


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