Light electrics??

[Daston]

Hey guys,

Just re-wired all my sockets in the living room (all went well)

However just took a look at the main light and found all this behind the cover






However the new light cradle only has 1 connector for + , - and E cables...

Any ideas what I do? Do I just put all the + cables into the new cradel connector?

[Jonny_]

To me that looks like the "loop-in" type of fitting; the connector block is in three sections, the left-hand one in the pic is clearly the neutral, and I'd say it's a fairly safe bet that the one on the right with a red wire and a brown one that presumably comes from the light fitting itself is the "switched live". The centre one is the "permanent live". (The separate earth terminal is fairly obvious in the pic)

The idea of this setup is that the supply cable from the lighting ring goes into the fitting (neutral and permanent live); the permanent live then travels to the light switch, and returns as the switched live. The light itself then connects across switched live and neutral.

There's a better explanation here, with pictures: http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/lighting_circuit...

If your new fitting only has live, neutral and earth then you need a 4-terminal junction box (they're small enough to tuck in the ceiling space, think they're less than a quid a pop in Screwfix) to take the existing live, neutral, switched live and earth wires into; your new fitting then connects to the switched live, neutral and earth in the junction box.

HTH

Edited by Jonny_ on Saturday 13th March 12:17

[Simpo Two]

Welcome to the conundrum that is the Ring Main. It's a bit like an Underground map, only without trains.

[eddie1980]

Simpo Two said:

Welcome to the conundrum that is the Ring Main. It's a bit like an Underground map, only without trains.

Ring main? Lighting should be wired as a radial? As in the picture.

[Simpo Two]

Sorry yes, it's a lighting circuit.

[Raverbaby]

http://www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:lighting:rose

[Jonny_]

Raverbaby said:

http://www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:lighting:rose

Yep, but I'd go with an enclosed junction box rather than farting about trying to bodge it with bits of connector block and sticky tape.

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/80193/Electrical-Sup...

[Raverbaby]

Jonny_ said:

Raverbaby said:

http://www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:lighting:rose

Yep, but I'd go with an enclosed junction box rather than farting about trying to bodge it with bits of connector block and sticky tape.

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/80193/Electrical-Sup...

I wouldn't fancy cutting a biggish hole in the ceiling just to accommodate that junction box.
Chucking a junction box in the ceiling is more of a bodge IMO, any junction boxes must be accessable for inspection, this could be awkward stuffed in behind a light fitting, unless there is an attic above ceiling.
I suppose the junction type/size depends on what type of fitting the op is putting up.

Edited by Raverbaby on Monday 15th March 13:14