SvenNYC:
They're rated at 6 amps.
You'll also find small BS546 (roundpin) connectors used here and in the UK for lighting, often behind suspended ceilings. The setup doesn't look entirely unlike the swedish system above (only without the hook)
Installing lighting sockets here in an exsisting installation causes all sorts of complications under Irish regs though. If you're using BS546 or the above system to power switch controlled /dimmable free standing lamps you must install RCDs and the sockets must be shuttered and correctly polarised. Older installations here would not have RCDs on the lighting circuits.
The newer systems with the flat pins has the advantage of being able to support weight and are not "yankable" out.
We are also getting a lot of problems with DIY add-on lights, particularly security lighting & recessed spots, where people just add branches/spurs to exsisting lighting radials far exceeding the load that they were designed for. In some cases DIYers even over fuse the circuit to stop it tripping.
A circuit originally designed to handle about 600 W in total is suddenly handling 600 W per room.
The regs have addressed the problem by requiring more lighting circuits on the distribution panel (consumer unit)
Also, is it normal practice elsewhere to wire lights in groups to prevent complete darkness when a circuit blows/trips?
E.g. here it would be normal to have half a circuit upstairs and the other downstairs so that when a fuse/MCB trips perhaps one room upstairs and one downstairs will go dark rather than an entire floor.
The idea being to prevent accidents in sudden darkness
[This message has been edited by djk (edited 08-29-2003).]
