Looking for safety advice for newbie

[Paul Gilroy]

hi

I hope someone can help. I only know the basics of electricity so I play it safe when I am wiring something. I just hope someone can tell me if this is safe. I want to install a single socket in my loft so have decided to buy 3 core flex and wire it to a plug top with a 13 amp fuse (plugged in downstairs) and wire the other side to a rubber type single heavy duty socket (in the loft). So far so good, but I was hoping to install a switch somewhere along the cable to isolate the socket. There is a switch where the plug is inserted but its in an hard to reach spot. So, I have bought a MK 20A Double Pole Switched Connection Unit. It all looks relatively straightforward with the supply and load terminals but just wanted to make sure that a 20A switch on a cable with a plug is safe. Any help would be appreciated. Thank You Very Much

 

[westward10]

Hello Paul, how will provide cable restraint at the switch.

 

[Spoon]

Why not just get a socket with a switch on?
What are you using the socket for?

 

[Pete999]

hi

I hope someone can help. I only know the basics of electricity so I play it safe when I am wiring something. I just hope someone can tell me if this is safe. I want to install a single socket in my loft so have decided to buy 3 core flex and wire it to a plug top with a 13 amp fuse (plugged in downstairs) and wire the other side to a rubber type single heavy duty socket (in the loft). So far so good, but I was hoping to install a switch somewhere along the cable to isolate the socket. There is a switch where the plug is inserted but its in an hard to reach spot. So, I have bought a MK 20A Double Pole Switched Connection Unit. It all looks relatively straightforward with the supply and load terminals but just wanted to make sure that a 20A switch on a cable with a plug is safe. Any help would be appreciated. Thank You Very Much

hi

I hope someone can help. I only know the basics of electricity so I play it safe when I am wiring something. I just hope someone can tell me if this is safe. I want to install a single socket in my loft so have decided to buy 3 core flex and wire it to a plug top with a 13 amp fuse (plugged in downstairs) and wire the other side to a rubber type single heavy duty socket (in the loft). So far so good, but I was hoping to install a switch somewhere along the cable to isolate the socket. There is a switch where the plug is inserted but its in an hard to reach spot. So, I have bought a MK 20A Double Pole Switched Connection Unit. It all looks relatively straightforward with the supply and load terminals but just wanted to make sure that a 20A switch on a cable with a plug is safe. Any help would be appreciated. Thank You Very Much

Paul, appreciate you are trying to do this yourself, my best advice would be to get a Sparky in to do the job properly and more import safely

 

[Paul Gilroy]

Thank you very much for the replies. I am using the socket to plug an LED light in the loft. (I purchased an LED light with flex and plug attached) so I would need a switch so I could then put on the light before going into the loft. I prefer a socket in the loft is opposed to junction box so I can maybe occasionally plug something else in, eg. a radio or power tool. The cable restraints are built into the switch but I will also tack the cable to the wall to make sure it is secure. Just wondering if a 20amp switch is fine .

 

[westward10]

A 20A switch is fine but how are cable restraints built into it.

 

[Paul Gilroy]

Hi Westward, thanks for your reply, the switch has a moulded cable restraint built in, not the screw type. you just push down the flex hard until it secures between the grips. The other cable is secured through the back box, through a very tight hole and further secured using cable clips.

 

[westward10]

Flexible cords/cables should be restrained, making a small hole and clipping does not provide this.