Wiring a Par 16 (birdie) light to the Mains

[aeroalex]

Hi,

I'm just wondering if it is possible to wire a Par 16 (birdie) light to the mains?

I bought one off Amazon a couple of days ago and it has come without a plug... It's a 240v version that doesn't require a transformer and takes GU10 bulbs.

Heres some photos:

 

 

 

Can I just wire a UK 13 amp plug to it and plug it into domestic sockets at home or will that be unsafe?

The lead itself coming from the light isn't very long, so I was also thinking it would be better to wire it to a Male IEC plug so that I can use a standard IEC Female to 13a lead, Is this also possible?

I intend to use the light as an simple plug a play spotlight for exhibitions and therefore it needs to have a 13 amp plug at the end of it somehow.

any suggestions would be gratefully received! :)

Thanks.

[Brian]

Yes, you can.

 

Put a 3A fuse in the plug; GU10s can blow with a bit of a bang and the 3A fuse will limit any problems.

 

And yes to the IEC bit; that's exactly how mine are wired.

[themadhippy]

The standard reply is if you have to ask,dont.Electrickery is nasty stuff that tends to bite when you least expect it.

It's a 240v version that doesn't require a transformer and takes GU10 bulbs

so why cant it be wired to a standard 13A plug or iec plug? is there any funky control circuitry in there or is it just a plain incandescent lamp?

Answer that and youve answered your Question.you might also want to determine what size cable is on the light,then you can decide what size fuse is best to use in the plug

[aeroalex]

Thank's for your replies!

 

 

I was just asking because I did some searching on the net and I know you can't wire the 12v versions to the mains. I'm kinda just making sure that it's all safe.

 

Can it be any fuse like a 5a or 13a or does it have to be a 3a?

 

 

[Brian]

Can it be any fuse like a 5a or 13a or does it have to be a 3a?

 

Standard domestic fuses are 3A or 13A, the lamp itself only needs about 0.3A so for maximum protection something close to 3A is best.

[aeroalex]

Ah right, Cheers Brian!

 

I'm also thinking about putting one of these in it : http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00B1MURT0/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Not sure how bright it'd be though!

[themadhippy]

The fuse aint there to protect the light,its there to protect the cable,so if the cable is 35mm² you could use a 120A fuse,if the cables only 0.5mm² then your limited to 3A

[Brian]

Not sure how bright it'd be though!

 

 

Product Description

 

Specifications:

...

9. Luminous flux: 80LM

 

A 50W GU10 halogen lamp will be around 10 times brighter in open white. If you want colours though things get a lot trickier to compare.

[aeroalex]

Yeah, LED bulbs don't tend to be as bright as Halogen bulbs.

 

I'll have to get a 3a fuse then, The plug I have at the minute has a 13a fuse in it!

[Just Some Bloke]

If it costs you more than 50p you've been ripped off!

[adam2]

Yes as many others post, these can be connected to a 13 amp plug.

A 3 amp fuse is sensible but not an absolute requirement, no one would worry if the same light was used in Germany from an unfused plug on a 16 amp circuit.

 

The main advantage of the 3 amp fuse is that GU10 lamps tend to fail with a bang, and a 3 amp fuse results in a smaller bang than a larger fuse.

Also if a number of similar lights are used from multiway leads, then fitting 3 amp fuses in the plugs should result in a failing lamp only blowing the 3 amp fuse in its own plug, and not blowing larger fuses upstream.

 

GU10 lamps can be rather short lived, keep spare lamps and 3 amp fuses to hand !

[paulears]

This does rather justify our usual issues with electricity. All the questions posed do indicate that the subject is a little misunderstood. Choosing the correct value fuse for circuit protection is a critical and basic function. We've not even mentioned earthing of the metal housing. This is being done - right?

[aeroalex]

All Done! :)

 

 

 

 

I'll perhaps replace the plug for an IEC one later on, the lead really isn't very long.

[empyfree]

Wow! A 50w floor heater!

[rossmck]

I do prefer these with IECs (or powercon) as long as it's appropriately rated - *DONT* do what one company I've found that shall remain nameless did and used XLR connectors because they were small and that's what they used to use before they got mains powered birdies... the thought of the corresponding 13A to XLR3 cable that must exist to power the things is just downright scary!