Kitchen Under Cabinet LED Lighting

mrsparks · Post by **mrsparks** » Thu Mar 07, 2024 7:57 pm

Without it saying so, I'm going to guess that the B&Q bell-wire cable is 0.35mm2. Ledspace recommended, and supplied, 0.5mm2 cable based on my calcs, but I underestimated the cable length. So, I'm now looking at 0.75mm2 flex from B&Q https://www.diy.com/departments/2192y-w ... d?alt=true which is definitely 0.75mm2. The handy dandy online voltage drop calculator https://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/voltage- ... lator.html for the values

0.35mm2
24V
1A
5m one way
gives a voltage drop of 2.27% or 0.544V
I have no idea if that would be within tolerance

On the other hand
0.75mm2
24V
1A
5m one way
gives a voltage drop of 1.03% or 0.247V

So, do I risk the smaller 0.35mm2 cable which is easier to bend and route, or go for the 0.75mm2 which will almost certainly work but is chunkier and harder to bend? Unfortunately, I'm guessing 0.5mm2 would be ideal but they don't sell that so I'd need to go to an electrical wholesaler. What would you do?

mrsparks · Post by **mrsparks** » Fri Mar 08, 2024 5:18 pm

I made my decision. I bought 7.5m of 0.5mm2 from Wickes to go with the 5m I already had. Wickes were the only ones selling that length in that gauge unless you want to buy 50m or 100m. A job for the weekend.

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Fri Mar 08, 2024 6:29 pm

For future reference TLC-direct sell it by the Metre. click me

mrsparks · Post by **mrsparks** » Fri Mar 08, 2024 6:50 pm

Thanks, I didn't know that.

mrsparks · Post by **mrsparks** » Tue Mar 12, 2024 7:11 pm

Things are moving on ... slowly. I now have the 0.5mm cables in place - they come through holes in the plasterboard under the wall units. The holes are slightly larger than I'd hoped (about 0.5 inch diameter) so I'm going to need to make good around the cable. I'm thinking either caulk or filler, or maybe a wooden dowel with a small hole in it? Any bright ideas?

Another question ... I need to run the flat 0.5mm cables from the holes in the wall to the front of the cabinets (hidden by the plinth at the front and decor panel to the side). What's the preferred way of attaching the cable - presumably to the underside edge of the cabinets? Cable stapler? Hot glue? I'm thinking cable clips (with those small nails) are overkill and will look horrible - although I don't suppose people will come around and look under my cabinets!

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Tue Mar 12, 2024 8:06 pm

Anything with a hole in it will need support or it will either fall in or out, filler may do the same after it dries, I would opt for caulk or silicone, since it doesn't shrink and adheres to almost everything and can be smoothed just after being applied.

I would try first where is the best place for the LED strip, it might not need to go on the very front edge. (A few cm in from the edge?) How to secure the cable is your choice. Cable clips will be fun bashing the nail with a hammer on a cupboard full of plates could be interesting

Cable stapler you may puncture / short the cable

you could try hot melt glue or mastic. Which ever you use, clean the surface first.

mrsparks · Post by **mrsparks** » Wed Mar 13, 2024 8:28 am

Someone-Else wrote: ↑Tue Mar 12, 2024 8:06 pm Anything with a hole in it will need support or it will either fall in or out, filler may do the same after it dries, I would opt for caulk or silicone, since it doesn't shrink and adheres to almost everything and can be smoothed just after being applied.

I would try first where is the best place for the LED strip, it might not need to go on the very front edge. (A few cm in from the edge?) How to secure the cable is your choice. Cable clips will be fun bashing the nail with a hammer on a cupboard full of plates could be interesting Cable stapler you may puncture / short the cable you could try hot melt glue or mastic. Which ever you use, clean the surface first.

I think caulk, because I will need to paint it.

I will definitely try the LED strip in different positions to see how the light spreads before I fix in place. And even then, I'd only have to move the mounting clips if I got it wrong first time. My plan is to leave some slack in the cable (maybe 6 inches or so) and tack it behind the plinth rather than leave slack inside the wall and have to pull more through. Then if I need to get to the connection, if it stops working or something, I can drop the whole strip down and it'll be easier to access instead of having to work up behind the plinth.

Still not decided on the attachment method. There are staples like this https://surebonder.com/collections/15-staples that are less likely to puncture the cable but not sure how readily available they are.

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Wed Mar 13, 2024 1:48 pm

The staples you mention are non insulated (They can easily make a short circuit) You would also need to buy a staple gun (More money) The website you link to is in America and it is cost prohibitive to export to the U.K. (Also being under a kitchen cabinet, they may rust after a while)

mrsparks · Post by **mrsparks** » Wed Mar 13, 2024 1:56 pm

Someone-Else wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 1:48 pm The staples you mention are non insulated (They can easily make a short circuit) You would also need to buy a staple gun (More money) The website you link to is in America and it is cost prohibitive to export to the U.K. (Also being under a kitchen cabinet, they may rust after a while)

Yes, they are from the US. I've spoken to an electrician who has a staple gun with staples similar to the Surebonder ones i.e. they have a notch for the cable, but I didn't think to ask him where he got them from. But I appreciate I'd need to buy the stapler. Maybe I'll ask him nicely if I can borrow his.

Really can't decide what method to use. What would you do?

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Wed Mar 13, 2024 5:01 pm

Someone-Else wrote: ↑Tue Mar 12, 2024 8:06 pm hot melt glue or mastic. Which ever you use, clean the surface first