DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

Hi could some please advise me?

I want to add some 60watt flourecent strip lights in my garageworkshop
.
1 can I wire them up so that i can then plug them into a 13 amp socket

2 How do you work out the max amount of watts that a 13 amp will
safely take or must they go into a fuse board?
many thanks

Lighting plugged into a 13 amp socket is fine.
Connect the lights together with cable or flex, then add a piece of 3 core flex to the last light from the connector block and add a 13 amp plug top to other end. Reduce the size of the fuse in the plug top to 5 or 3 amp and simply plug it in.
Providing the socket you're plugging it into is "health" ie wired in correct sized cable, protected by correct method (ie correctly sized fuse or circuit breaker) and has satisfactory earth loop reading then plugging a few lights into it is not going to overload it.
In theory if each flourescent light drew 1 amp then you could run 13 of them from a 13 amp socket though you might have problems with starting current.
I assume you will only be adding one or two so no prob.

Hi Singer
many thanks for your reply and information,sounds perfect for me
regards

Hi Bargee5, I was just wondering if you had any success with your strip lights?

Hi camel
yes I have, connected 4 lights x 60watt to a 13 amp plug with a 5amp fuse then i plug into a 13 amp socket as and when required.I will try six at some stage which is well within the safety limits as i understand
regards