Home wiring question - adding bathroom lights

[Will__]

I�m adding some lights to a bathroom in my parent�s-in-law�s holiday home.

I know the basics of wiring, and I know how to be safe with it - my question is:

There�s currently an in-wall supply, via a normal recessed wall switch, to 2x60 watt bulbs above the sink.

If possible, I�d like to take the feed off that point (above the sink) and run a cable up and round the room (small bathroom) to where I�m putting a 3x60 watt strip of moveable lights. Is this safe?

We�re in Spain, so there are plug outlets in the bathroom, and I could take the feed from one of them, but this would be inelegant, since it would require more cabling and a differently designed non-recessed switch by the door. And you�d have to switch two light switches when coming in. Am I making sense?

Just really wondering if it would be safe / advisable to use the existing cable and extend it, which would be automatically controlled by the existing switch. The cable that�s there feeding the two existing lights terminates in a plastic junction box, and they both jump off from that point.

The cable is normal-ish looking, not especially fat, not especially thin. Any way of figuring out what it�s rated for and whether this is safe?

I have a multimeter which I can use to check for the presence of electricity but am pretty much in the dark (pun intended) about all its other functions.

We�re not going to call an sparky in since if it�s not thought not safe I�ll just take the feed off the plug - not worth the expense.

Many thanks for any replies.

Will

[BillyNoMates]

I would certainly advise strongly against taking any sort of feed for lighting off any power circuit.

Think of the implications for anyone coming along in the future and isolation etc.

There is no reason why you can't work with your first suggestion of extending the existing lighting circuit from the current fittings/junction box. Worth working out what other lighting loads are on that circuit by a process of elimination by switching the breaker off. Add up all of the loads - you already have 2 x 60W and are adding a further 180W, divide by 220V (safety margin as it's 230V) to calculate the current (Amps) loading. Also, as it's a Bathroom, ensure the new fittings are appropriate for such an environment.

I'm not familiar with Spanish wiring systems but in the UK a Twin & Earth cable of 1.5mm would be appropriate. This can take up to 16 Amps, for regular copper, PVC coated cable under normal conditions. I would not recommend going anywhere near that limit however.

[ursula62]

You should be aware of the new EC regulations that came into force on 1 January 2005 regarding electrical works in hazardous areas e.g. bathrooms and kitchens.

[BillyNoMates]

I don't believe that the new Part 'P' of the Building Regulations applies to the EC. As far as I am aware it is just applicable in the UK.