Hard-wired electrical splitter

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trig42

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#152356 24-Sep-2014 09:59

Does such a thing exist?

More to the point, a small junction box type thing, preferable weathertight?

What I am hoping to do:

I want to build/get built a simple light fixture for our (covered) deck.
It will be a 3-pin plug, with about a 4 metre cable into a junction/splitter box, which will split 3 ways to 3 bulb sockets, each cable 1-2m from the split. I will put cup hooks or similar in the roof beams of the deck and hang the (fancy arty) bulbs over the hooks. This means that I can take the lights away for winter/bad weather etc.

What I need to find is a nice tidy way of splitting the cable, I could just get three cables run all the way off the 3-pin plug, but that uses a lot more cable, and wont be as practical.

I plan on using corded cable, and the bulbs will be no more than 40-60W each, infact, if I can find the bulbs I'm looking for in 25W I'd be happy.

Anyone have any ideas what I should be looking for? Prefer to get local, but no problems bringing it in from overseas - I have to get the cable imported (like this: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/10m-DARK-BROWN-TWIST-braided-textile-fabric-cord-old-retro-light-cable-/171011483303?pt=AU_Lighting_Fans)

mdooher

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#1137230 25-Sep-2014 10:39

If I understand your description correctly... you can buy a gel filled junction box from an electrical wholesaler. Then simply join all the flexes together in the box. Although it is completely legal for you to do this work yourself, if you are not experienced with electrical work I would suggest at the very least you get a friend who is to check your work. If you know an Electrical Service Technician or an Electrician this should help you get your gel filled junction box a bit cheaper too :)

Matthew

trig42

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#1137238 25-Sep-2014 10:49

OK, cool - I will look into that.

Don't worry, I will get it done properly - I just wanted to make sure that what I wanted doing was actually possible.

mdooher

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#1137241 25-Sep-2014 10:52

Just re-read your post, If you are dead set on using that fabric covered flex outside then you will need to find a way of stopping water from wicking along it and into your fittings. For example you may need to cut the braid back slightly and seal the end to the inner insulation with silicon or similar. If the fitting is waterproof-ish then you could possibly use some of the gel from the gel filled junction box to prevent the water from migrating to the connections.

I would also be checking out whether the plug you are using is RCD protected, if not just get a little plug in version.

hope that helps

Matthew

richms

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#1143104 28-Sep-2014 20:30

When I last asked about something similar to this, it would come under building a light fitting which isnt something that a personin is actaully allowed to do themselves, that was in the contect of building a lamp for aquariums with multiple fluorescent ballasts and holders etc.

Loads of those obnoxious orange inefficient incandescent lamps around the place over here in china, I had a quick look on eBay and they have them for sale already done, but not in waterproof holders. I dont think you will find a cable gland that will seal on the retro styled fabric cables either.

Richard rich.ms

mdooher

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#1143114 28-Sep-2014 20:51

Actually it comes under the home owner exemption, section 57 of the Electrical Safety Regulations

If it is plug in, it is an appliance (device that converts one form of energy into another) so no issue unless he try's to sell it

Matthew

sir1963

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#1143788 29-Sep-2014 20:20

Why not use low voltage LED lighting ?

You can do this legally without risking your home insurance.

There is a wide range of LED lights available these days.