light switch question, max wattage

bztrad · Post by **bztrad** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 11:17 am

I have a sequence of 12 down lighters, each at 50w = 600w

Do i need a special light switch as i need tham all running through the 1 switch.

thanks in advance

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 11:35 am

Normal light switches are designed to operate safely at well over a 600w load so no need to worry.

sparkydude · Post by **sparkydude** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 11:44 am

A normal light switch will be fine, but how many lights haver you got on your circuit already? I am assuming you have removed a pendant or similiar and installed dowlinghters. What size is the fuse or breaker in your distribution board serving these lights ? IF you are simply replacing a lightswitch like for like then please ignore my babbling.

Nick

bztrad · Post by **bztrad** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 11:45 am

thaks for that.

I thought that was the case, but just needed reasurance before i proceeded..

great forum.

learnt a lot in the last hour

bztrad · Post by **bztrad** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 11:47 am

sparky,
we have 24 downlighters and 5 pendants, what size should the fuse be?

bztrad · Post by **bztrad** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 11:49 am

there is currently a 10amp fuse (tripper) on the fuse box / board.

is this sufficient?

sparkydude · Post by **sparkydude** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 11:58 am

I am assumiong they are all 50W downlighters and the pendants you have to allow 100w per point by the regulations. In your case 400w +1200W ==1600w
Power (W) = 1600W divided by Voltage 230(V) = Current (A) + in your case = 6.95 A so well within permitted tolerances as there is also a certain amount of diversity to be allowed on lighting circuits as you are fairly unlikeley to have all the lights on at one time.

Sorry if I panicked you ,but so many diyers just remove apendant in their lounge and just think they can add as many downlights as they like.

Nick

bztrad · Post by **bztrad** » Sun Nov 26, 2006 12:05 pm

Nick,
thanks for that, better to be safe than sorry..

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