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Thread: 5A Unswitched Circuits

  1. #1
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    5A Unswitched Circuits

    Hi Guys

    I need advise on light circuits wired with unswitched 5A round plugs.

    A light circuit are wired with 5A unswitched plugs . Lets say 5 recess florescent light fittings to be plug in.
    Ho do i record it on the coc? What if i have a fan also plugged in on the circuit with a 5a unswitched plug?
    Is it a mixed circuit ,yes or no ? I know when something plug in ,it is regarded as not part of the installation ?

    Appreciate your advise.

    Jaboel

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    Hi
    Would mark it on the coc as a light point - only one fitting per socket - Fan may not be plugged into a 5 amp socket.
    If something is plugged in and the cord is clipped to the skirting , or through a wall , or longer than 3m , then it is part of the fixed installation ( 6.16.1.9 ed 2 )
    I have pasted a discussion below that I had previously -



    Question was – Can you connect a bathroom type fan to the light fitting in a bathroom –

    If we look at 6.16.1.3. – It refers to the fan incorporated into a luminaries – in this case you can protect by earth leakage and ignore the isolator

    Then back to 6.16.1.2 – Every fixed appliance shall be supplied through a switch disconnector – The fan being referred to in the question was a “stand alone type fan” and therefore would need an isolator ( ELU will not be allowed )

    6.14.1.4 – A lighting circuit may use a socket complying with SANS 164-3 (b) supplies one luminaries only –* I read this as saying that only luminaries can be fed from a 6 amp socket and not fans .

    6.16.4 – Heaters appliances for heating and cooling – note 3 includes extraction and ventilation fans – refers to dedicated circuits over 16Amp – so would assume that small extraction fans could go onto a mix loaded circuit as long as it has an isolator
    6.16.5.1.4 – basically states that you may not use a double pole c/breaker to act as the isolator in the D/board* for the extract fan
    6.15.4.2 – allows for mixed loading of non dedicated single phase circuits not rated above 20 amps and may feed luminaries and fixed appliances*


    The answer – Yes you may connect the fan to the luminaries circuit as long it is fed by an isolator , taking into account 6.16.5.1.4,* and that the circuit is labelled as mixed loaded in the DB

  3. #3
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    Further to the above post from 2017

    For info and to keep up with changes

    In previous editions of SANS 10142-1 you were not allowed to use a 5 Amp socket ( SANS 164-3) outlet for a "bathroom fan "

    The latest Ed 3 of SANS 10142-1 now finally allows it , reg pasted below

    6.16.4.3 Extraction fans
    Where an extraction fan supply is switched with a luminaire, it shall be
    connected to the switched portion of the light circuit, provided that the fan
    circuit is connected by means of a SANS 164-3 or SANS 164-2-1 or
    SANS 164-2-2 socket-outlet or a switch disconnector

  4. Thanks given for this post:

    Dave A (08-Aug-21)

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