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12v lighting on a domestic environment

Andrew Turner

Our 1800s single storey stone cottage was renovated in around 1974.  Since then no work has been done on the electrical installation.  I think a full rewire with new distribution board etc will be called for.

We are prone to rodent infestations in the loft and I am worried that damage done by rodents could cause a fire.  

Given the recent advancements in LED lighting I am considering making the lighting circuits 12v.  I feel this will offer some benefits such as:

Reduced fire risk

Reduced of risk at touch point's (switches)

Possible reduction in cabling costs.

Please can someone advise how using 12v systems in the domestic environment would viewed in terms of compliance with the Wiring Regulations?

Many thanks

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    I have done several such installations, in off grid homes without any mains supply.

    The regulations seem to be mainly written for mains voltage installations, and one might have to accept some departures from these regulations.

    For example it can be a challenge to achieve fast enough disconnection times, but does this matter at 12 volts ? Is a CPC even required at 12 volts ?

    The last one that I did was originally 3 wire DC at 12/0/12 volts, with 12 volts for lighting and 24 volts for appliances. Recently changed to 3 wire DC at 26/0/26 volts with 26 volts for lighting and most appliances, including some very substantial loads. 

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  • 0

    I have done several such installations, in off grid homes without any mains supply.

    The regulations seem to be mainly written for mains voltage installations, and one might have to accept some departures from these regulations.

    For example it can be a challenge to achieve fast enough disconnection times, but does this matter at 12 volts ? Is a CPC even required at 12 volts ?

    The last one that I did was originally 3 wire DC at 12/0/12 volts, with 12 volts for lighting and 24 volts for appliances. Recently changed to 3 wire DC at 26/0/26 volts with 26 volts for lighting and most appliances, including some very substantial loads. 

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