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Re Lighting and Sockets from existing Power Supply
Former Community Member
Basically this is a small office area on the ground floor of a structure which needs 6 13 A sockets one either side of the structure.There is an existing power supply that supples 110,230 and 400v to each floors but no power cable connection to the office area. So was wondering would I need to route a new cable (ie 16mm2 cable) from the existing 230v power supply than via 63A RCD and 32A MCB then from the 32A MCB cable a 2.5mm2 cable to the relevant sockets in order for them to get power to them. Also for lighting would the same apply here but using 1.5mm2 cable from a 6A MCB to light up 12 Sealed Strip lights.Now which is better to switch all lights on with one switch to all floors or to switch on each floor separately?. Would that mean either a Parallel or Series type circuit?Jimmy2Rivers
But yet another week where you get no feedback on a problem.Just after wiring up sockets and lights surely you'd think someone has an idea from an existing power supply.
But yet another week where you get no feedback on a problem.Just after wiring up sockets and lights surely you'd think someone has an idea from an existing power supply.
Jimmy2Rivers
First, there's a separate "Wiring and the Regulations" IET forum, so the people reading this (myself included) may not be qualified electricians.
Second, your questions seem rather confused. If you are lighting one office, why are you asking if all floors should be operated from one switch? In another post, you have talked about the supply being from 2 x 4kVA transformers, but 32A at 230V is 7.3kVA. This one office seems to need more power than one of the transformers can supply. Anybody who is a qualified electrician is probably scared of answering any of your questions in case they are held responsible for the results.
32A Breaker (MCB) for the sockets in the office like in the home. And there are two transformers in each Power Cabinet one at one side of the office and the other at the other end of the office area.
Hello, Jimmy2Rivers. An office area would be supplied by some sort of distribution board (consumer unit) which could probably serve areas other than the office, on the same floor, though since you do not say what else is on the other floor I cannot be definite. It sounds as though are considering installing such a distribution board, fed from a 16 sq mm cable so you are on the right lines. The sockets would be on a sub-circuit from this distribution board, preferably connected as a ring main, and 2·5 sq mm twin & earth cable is appropriate (unless you are planning to run through conduits, in which case 2·5 sq mm single insulated conductors would be used).
For lighting I am not sure what you mean by "sealed strip lights". What is the power rating of these? Nowadays 1·0 sq mm twin & earth cable is usually considered sufficient for lighting protected at 6 A. This would be fed from the same distribution board as the sockets.
I would not dwell on switching lights on other floors. This will likely have you at odds with regulations, not only the Wiring ones but Health & Safety, etc. I don't know what you had in mind with series circuits, though I am sure it is nothing to do with Christmas trees.
I hope this is of some help. I suggest you follow Simon Barker's advice and re-post this topic on the Wiring and Regulations forum, where it will be seen by a wider body of experienced electrical contractors who may be able to help further.
Incidentally the diagram on your last post appears upside-down. If you resubmit, please make sure it is the right way up. Readers have busy lives and will not have the patience to turn it the right way up.
