large 2 gang weatherproof switch needed.

HappyHippyDad

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Practising Electrician (Qualified - Domestic or Commercial etc)

• Sep 24, 2018

• #1

I have just fitted a BG 2gang weatherproof switch.

At present only 1 of the gangs is in use to switch 5 x 200w LED floodlights.

I used 6mm 3 core SWA as it was a long run from the CU and Voltage drop forced the larger cable.

I only just got 2 x 6mm cables into the 2gang switch. In a year or the customer will want another 5 floodlights switched from the other gang, but I will not be able to fit another 6mm in there.

I have 3 questions:

1. Is there a larger 2 gang switch on the market?
2. Is there a larger back box that BG do that would fit on to the existing?
3. Any other ideas? Preferable not 2 x 1gang switches which will be the last option due to the layout.

Cheers guys.

 

S

suffolkspark

• Sep 24, 2018

• #2

Contactors?

 

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A

Andy78

• Sep 24, 2018

• #3

Why not drop the cable size at the switch to one that facilitates easier connection to the switches ?

 

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O

Octopus

• Sep 24, 2018

• #4

Andy78 said:

Why not drop the cable size at the switch to one that facilitates easier connection to the switches ?

Click to expand...

Do you mean terminate the 6mm in a separate enclosure, then have the 2G switch and take the outputs out to another enclosure (or the same enclosure) and out on 2 x 6mm?

 

snowhead

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• Sep 24, 2018

• #5

Stick one of these next to the switch to terminate the SWA into;

BG IP66 Junction Box 113 x 113 x 55mm - https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p65903

 

A

Andy78

• Sep 24, 2018

• #6

Murdoch said:

Do you mean terminate the 6mm in a separate enclosure, then have the 2G switch and take the outputs out to another enclosure (or the same enclosure) and out on 2 x 6mm?

Click to expand...

I'll leave that to the installer. A small box next to the switch would be a neat roomy way to sort it. Connect the 6mm to a smaller cable size more suited to the switch.

 

O

Octopus

• Sep 24, 2018

• #7

snowhead said:

Stick one of these next to the switch to terminate the SWA into;

BG IP66 Junction Box 113 x 113 x 55mm - https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p65903

Click to expand...

I prefer Wiska boxes

 

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HappyHippyDad

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• Sep 24, 2018

• #8

Andy78 said:

Why not drop the cable size at the switch to one that facilitates easier connection to the switches ?

Click to expand...

Murdoch said:

Do you mean terminate the 6mm in a separate enclosure, then have the 2G switch and take the outputs out to another enclosure (or the same enclosure) and out on 2 x 6mm?

Click to expand...

snowhead said:

Stick one of these next to the switch to terminate the SWA into;

BG IP66 Junction Box 113 x 113 x 55mm - https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p65903

Click to expand...

Blimey I must be tired. Thats ridiculously simple and I've done it before!
I think its a case of getting home after a long day and thinking 'I'll ask the forum', rather than sleeping on it and realising how simple it is the next day.

Cheers guys

 

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buzzlightyear

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• Sep 24, 2018

• #9

happyhippydad said:

I used 6mm 3 core SWA as it was a long run from the CU and Voltage drop forced the larger cable.

Click to expand...

how many meters is the cable ?

 

S

Squid

• Sep 24, 2018

• #10

buzzlightyear said:

how many meters is the cable ?

Click to expand...

1 Lightyear.......

 

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Andy78

• Sep 24, 2018

• #11

SWD said:

1 Lightyear.......

Click to expand...

I think it's longer than that. Probably to infinity and beyond.

 

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Marvo

• Sep 24, 2018

• #12

What's the switch rated to? 5x 200 Watt Floodlights is a considerable load when you consider LED's can have a power factor as low as 0.5 and then there's inrush current....

 

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Squid

• Sep 24, 2018

• #13

Marvo said:

What's the switch rated to? 5x 200 Watt Floodlights is a considerable load when you consider LED's can have a power factor as low as 0.5 and then there's inrush current....

Click to expand...

You mean switch on surge?

 

HappyHippyDad

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• Sep 25, 2018

• #14

Marvo said:

What's the switch rated to? 5x 200 Watt Floodlights is a considerable load when you consider LED's can have a power factor as low as 0.5 and then there's inrush current....

Click to expand...

It's a 20A switch, each gang I would assume is 10A. The lights I have fitted have a power factor of >0.9 so current drawn from each light should be 0.97A (assuming PF of 0.9).
How does that look to you Marvo? Would you say the present switch is acceptable?

It will be a 10A Type B circuit breaker (there will be 10 x 200w LED's eventually. I don't know what the inrush current for these lights is though so maybe a Type c will be needed.

 

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Telectrix

• Sep 25, 2018

• #15

It's a 20A switch, each gang I would assume is 10A.

wrong.each switch is 20A.

 

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Marvo

• Sep 25, 2018

• #16

0.9 PF is very good for LED's and as Tel says the rating is for each switch so the load won't be a problem.

SWD said:

You mean switch on surge?

Click to expand...

Yes, surge current, start current, inrush current, not sure what terminology you use.

 

S

Squid

• Sep 25, 2018

• #17

telectrix said:

It's a 20A switch, each gang I would assume is 10A.

wrong.each switch is 20A.

Click to expand...

Are you sure its not 40A?