Outside light wiring switch or not?

jimbo_the_jetset

I am wanting to install an outside light such as :

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/33597/Lighting/Outdoor-Lighting/Outdoor-Lighting-Sets/Wall-Lamp-With-PIR-Stainless-Steel-IP44-370mm#

The instructions say you can wire into lighting circuit which is what I am planning to do. Do I need to provide a switch to turn the light on/off? The switch would never be used since the light would always be switched on as it would only be activated at a certain darkness by the motion sensor

phill99

No you don't need a switch. You can have a switch and use 4 core cable so that you can over-ride the PIR so that the light comes on when you want it to as well as coming on when someone approaches.

andrew-b

Not sure if it's required by the regs but I'd put a switch in for the override facility and for maintenance if i were you. Also if the light should develop a fault then you can easily isolate it from the rest of the lighting circuit.

Alot of PIR lights (at least our two do) have an override facilty whereby you just flick the switch from off and then back to on within a short time (typically 20seconds) to override the sensor... so no need for 4-core cable.


Andy

espresso

Only a real cheapskate would not fit a switch! Remember to comply with Part P notification.here

phill99

For christ sake, there is a major obsession with Part P on this forum. If you read it properly, this work falls outside the scope of what is notifiable. A little knowledge is such a dangerous thing.

jimbo_the_jetset

It's not the cost of the switch, more the fact of where to put it. Planning on coming off downstairs lighting ring (access through bedroom floorboards). Don't really want to put a switch a) under the floorboards, b) in the corner of the bedroom or c) chase the wall out (making a mess) in the hall to put one there.

Thanks for the opinions

madeane

Surely the easiest way is a switched FSU from a convenient socket,

baldelectrician

It is bad practice not to put a switch in.

Every light should have a functional switch, switching for isolation is usually achieved by a fused connection unit or at the consumer unit.

Not putting a switch in screams DIY.

jimbo_the_jetset

Thanks for the replies. I guess the responses confirmed my suspicion that it was a bit amateur not to put a switch in. So that is what I will do.

There is no socket that side of the room so I think I will kill 2 birds with 1 stone and put a socket in and add a fused spur off that for the light (with the assistance of my qualified electrician friend before anyone quote regs part p at me).

Thanks

andrew-b

If your going to add a socket and take a spur off that socket then make sure it is part of the ring main because as far as i know your not meant to take a spur off a spur. Personally i'd aim to connect to the lighting circuit as it just seems more logical to have light on the lighting circuit rather than the ring main ..but what would i know being a humble diyer

Andy

titewad_2

andrew-b wrote: »

If your going to add a socket and take a spur off that socket then make sure it is part of the ring main because as far as i know your not meant to take a spur off a spur.

I read on diyfixit.co.uk that you can spur of a spur, daisy chain style providing there is a fused connection from the ring main before the first spur.