Two lamps, one plug

[RatRibs73]

Hi,

Is there any way of wiring two table lamps together so that they can share a common plug/switch?

The lights will always be on together so makes sense to join them :)

Cheers, Matt

[Jim Gregory]

You can; but IMHO since additional devices like table lamps are considered to be modular, it's best for each to have its own 75p plug fused at 1Amp, and both would share a wall socket via a 2- or 3-way adaptor.

[Rick]

Cut the molded plugs off, and wire both into your own self fit plug.

This is probably outlawed by 2 Jags, and will get the sparkies up in arms with pages of stuff about the fact you will die if you do it.

But hey many people do this sort of thing.

I am NOT recommending that you do this, just explaining how it can be done.

Rick

[RatRibs73]

I did consider wiring into one plug but considered it a bit dodgy.

I reckon there must be an accepted way of doing it. Just thinking about these tall floor standing lamps you can get from IKEA, some of those have 3 bulbs so they must be connected in some way. Could I use some sort of a connector between a lamp switch and the two lamps?

[Richard Conway]

My Dad used to be obsessed with doing this. Really annoying as whenever you wanted to move something like a radio from one room to another you'd find that it had a lamp or something attached to it!

The other thing he used to do was drill holes in shelves and things, take the plug off an appliance, push the flex through the hole and re-attach the plug. You came to move something and found that you had to take the plug off!

[Richard Conway]

Could you not just use a two way extension lead?

[Nigel Molesworth]

Providing you fuse it for the lower capacity flex, what's the problem?

[RatRibs73]

Want to X10 it so I can dim them both together....

[RatRibs73]

That's what I'm asking - how to do it!

What fuse rating would you use and how would you join together?

[RatRibs73]

So having the washing machine and tv wired to the same plug is a bad idea? Damn.

[Richard Conway]

Would still work

[dennis]

Its usually a mechanical problem.. you need to ensure the cord grip holds both of them securely which isn't always that easy.

Just pop into poundland and buy a two way adapter.

[meow2222]

If the flexes are the same size or close, just put both in one plug. Ensure the cordgrip grips both securely. End of problem. Perfectly safe.

NT

[RatRibs73]

Would it? Brill, I'll give that a go. Cheers!

[David Hansen]

On 28 Feb 2006 04:38:04 -0800 someone who may be "RatRibs73" wrote this:-

Use a two-way adapter/socket, so you can separate them easily. there used to be (and probably still are) small multi-way adapters that take much smaller plugs. Although intended for audio use these might be suitable for your table lamps.

[dennis]

How about one of these four flex plugs made for the job?

[Rob Morley]

A couple of zip ties would sort that out.

[Chris Bacon]

Would what?

[Nigel Molesworth]

A 3A fuse, as before. Twist the wires together, then wire as normal. Make sure the cord grip grips both wires.

[meow2222]

high priced and incompatible though

NT