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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Electrical Questions >> Convert hardwired light to plug in https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1461699373 Message started by paulo79 on Apr 26^th, 2016, 8:36pm

Title: Convert hardwired light to plug in
Post by paulo79 on Apr 26^th, 2016, 8:36pm

Hi,

I have an ikea LED light fitting that is designed to be hardwired but I want to convert it and add a plug so I can plug it in to a normal wall socket.

I'm happy enough with wiring the cable to the light and plan to fit a low rated fuse in the plug but is there any reason that this would be a bad idea? A difference between the lighting and socket circuits etc?

thanks!

Title: Re: Convert hardwired light to plug in
Post by CWatters on Apr 28^th, 2016, 10:12am

I assume this is a reasonably standard LED lamp not a massive outdoor flood light or something like that.

The fuse in a plug is intended to protect the wire. eg if the wire was to become short circuited in the lamp then the fuse should blow before the wire melts and sets fire to the house. So to determine the fuse rating you need to know the diameter of the copper in the wire. Most likely a 1A fuse will be fine but perhaps compare the copper cores with those in a 1mm^2 cable? If it's clearly much smaller report back.

Title: Re: Convert hardwired light to plug in
Post by plugwash on Aug 27^th, 2016, 3:08am

Electrically it will be fine. Fit a 3A fuse in the plug (you could go lower but fuses under 3A are tricky to find and theres really no need). If the light has an earth terminal make sure you earth it.

Make sure you install it in such a matter that the wiring is adequately restrained. Flex by virtue of being more flexible needs more restraint than fixed wiring cables do..