In-line power connector

[Bolted]

I'm after a 240V in-line connector, which can take a (smallish) physical load as well as a small electrical one. I'm thinking of something with a threaded connection between the two halves. Preferably pretty or at least unobtrusive.

The application is for pendant lighting above table in a kitchen/ diner. The table is normally going to be close to wall, but pulled out into the room for dinner parties etc (it's a room-width thing). The 3 lamps are suspended from Klik-Fix roses, and there's a row of these for each table position. The lamps are to be high up out of the way for normal use, but lower, just above seated head height in more formal dining mode, so the neatest way of fixing them will be to swap the drop-flexes over between a long set and a short set. So a quick connector is needed at the other end. When the shades are in the lower position, a six footer will be just about able to look down into the top of the lamp, and anyway the shades are translucent fibreglass/ kevlar, so the connector is going to show.

I've been through RS, and nothing stood out as suitable.

So, a long shot, but any ideas?

The shades weigh about a kilo btw

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Smallest locking that comes to mind is the LNE series. These have the same bodies as XLR mic connectors but are for mains. Think the body needs an earth, though. Not cheap.

[Bolted]

=A0 London SW

Hide quoted text -

Thanks. Not approved in domestic situations, I think, and the earth is an issue too. It led me to Neutrik Powercon, but they don't seem to have an inline pair option, and they are a bit garish. All a bit large, too. Hoped that Fischer might do something, but that's all signal stuff.

Hmm. Come to think of it as I write, the shades probably hang off the lampholder in the normal way. If so, I can just put lampholders on both sets of flex and swap the shades over.

[Jim]

Have you considered using low-voltage halogens? They have their downsides but being 12V, you don't have to insulate the connections.

[Reentrant]

Would a "rise and fall" ceiling rose fitting do? The drop cable is on a countersprung reel and you just move the light up or down as required.

[Bolted]

That's what I would have used, if it wasn't for the table moving position as well as the lamp height changing. The only sensible way of doing the former I could think of was with the Klik-Fix roses, which rules out this option.

[BigWallop]

Something like these

you mean?

[BigWallop]

We use these in situations where the change of use in different events is needed. Install a load of them along the length or bridth of a ceiling to allow the shortest length of cable or wire to acheive the correct position for the lighting. Used along with these

for heavier lamp systems or chandeliers, or even just stick-on-pull-off hooks, they work perfectly every time.

They're also cheaper than bespoke or more specialised systems, so suit the client and us to the T.

[Bolted]

Yes, precisely what I meant :). Those are already installed.

I have to change the length of the flex drop as well. I think I'll just do it the lampholder way, assuming that works with these lamps.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

They're not approved but are fairly safe - especially if RCD protected. They were used under hazardous conditions in broadcast for many a year. They'd also be safe without an earth if properly wired. Which to be fair might be beyond the skills of some DIYers.

No - we had to make up our own line outlets for Powercons.

[js.b1]

Bulgin Buccaneer do very small inline connectors, 18-20mm dia. They are IP rated (O-ring on the inline socket as I recall), which gives you a gland-line cord strain relief on the rear.

Not checked w.r.t. regs.

[Owain]

Can you hang the luminaires with long leads in the formal position, and then hook the leads up on cuphooks to move the luminaires sideways and upwards for informal use?

Ie if the difference in sideways positon =3D difference in height, then you don't need to change the cable length at all.

Owain

[Dave Plowman (News)]

But do they latch? Such devices are rare. Think any latching type may be against domestic regs. But would be needed for carrying a load.

[The Medway Handyman]

Three drop flexes directly over the dinner party position. Three hooks in the ceiling directly over against the wall position.

To change simply hook over or unhook as required.

[The Medway Handyman]

Is this 'great minds think alike' or 'fools seldom differ'?

[Owain]

Actually it's psychic phenomena.

The winning numbers will be ...

Owain

[Bolted]

I'd do that in the workshop, but it is not exactly the type of look I'm after.

[Bolted]

Nearer than I'd got, thank you.

I assume it is these ones, still 61mm each side, so a 120mm x 26mm connector in total. A bit large to stick on a 6mm cable. One to store away for future possible uses, though.

think what I am after is unobtanium. And unfortunately, the damn shades do not hang off a standard lampholder at all, there's a long metal stem involved.

There is a large stainless steel ceiling rose cover, with plenty of empty space, and a substantial cable lock. All of which is going to take some serious modification to work with the Klik-Fixes. Why is nothing ever simple...

[Owain]

Perhaps you could find some similar shades that did work with ordinary flexes?

Or just buy another three and have 3 with long leads and 3 with short leads?

Owain

[Bolted]

I (and a more important person) like them, and there aren't many similar.

didn't pay that as they were ex-display, but I can't afford another set!

I'll have a brief moan and then get on with modifying the roses. But thanks for the suggestions anyway.