Ceiling sockets

That's what I would do if it were easy - otherwise, I would use a dry lining box like this

Is this box supposed to screw into the _plasterboard_?

Antony

Nope, the yellow bits at the side just clip in (they are springy)

Sparks...

Aha. That's great. Does it sit flush?

Yep, near as damnit. You're going to set a 13A socket into the ceiling, though? I think(?) there's nothing against it regs-wise, but... eeew! Can't it go in the wall conventionally, just below the ceiling level? Or is the projector going to be suspended from the middle of the ceiling?

David

Preferably. There's quite a lot of force involved in pushing/pulling a good stiff 13A plug/socket.

If you have a selection of sockets to accommodate in the middle of the ceiling I'd suggest using a floorbox upside-down, as this may be neater than lining up several separate sockets, and less visually intrusive if painted to match the ceiling.

Owain

Off-topic all together, you might want to look at mounting the connectors all together on a single blanking plate. I routed Component video and mains to a single blanking plate and fitted an IEC mains socket and 3 phono sockets so that the PJ was fed from the single plate. Looks neat, but I'm sure someone will explain why I shouldn't have done it (reg's-wise). Lemme know if you'd like a photo to explain what I've done.

Out of interest... anyone familiar with regs... With the above description, even if there is something in the regs forbidding placing two or more services - e.g. video and mains - in the same box, what I've done is put two boxes in a stud-partitioned wall, one at 2M (PJ height), one just above skirting; the low one has mains "plug" type fitting, fed from a 13A mains lead plugged into standard 13A socket (all behind the settee), with wiring up to the high one, where theres the mains socket that the PJ plugs into. Does this constitute a fixed installation (there's no services here, since the supply and the video all plug into the lower plate) - all there are are two sockets/plates and wiring between the two plates, and would it be subject to any regulations?

Mike

Indeed, it's being suspended from the middle of the ceiling. Well, not quite the middle as the bracket needs to screw into a joist. :) These dry lining boxes will be just the ticket.

Although I think I've just decided to mount normal back boxes in the concrete above the plasterboard ceiling. I have a 35mm gap, which is perfect, and that's something that I know that I can do. :)

Antony

That's fine. But best practice is to use a non-fused type of connector (e.g. IEC or old 15A roundpin) with a fused FCU controlling the spur at an accessable height.

Very true, and is normal theatre practice, but normally the only time a fuse blows is when the "bulb" fails, so you have to climb up there anyway :-)

Yep. And once upon a long time ago I used to climb up there regularly. But at least with no fuse up there you only had a single point of failure.