Wiring a Loft Light

[soprano]

Guys I want to wire some lighting into my loft - I think I have the principle of wiring it correct, as per the diagram (I realise I have used the old colouring).

I have the following questions:

1. Firstly is the diagram correct?
2. I have seen mention of wiring the new light into the last ceiling rose on the upstairs lighting circuit - is this simply for ease as there will be more room to put the new wiring in or is there some other reason to do this?
3. If I want to connect more than one ceiling rose to the same switch (I am thinking perhaps 2 or maybe 3) what would be the best way to go about that?
4. Some guides suggest 1mm T+E, others 1.5mm - which is best practice? Or should it depend on existing wiring?

Any useful comments welcome - apologies if these are stupid questions. I want to get this right.

NB I havent inncluded the earth wires for simplicity of the diagram.

[Spare tyre]

Not sure one the wiring aspect.

I was going to do something similar to you but decided against it as in my last place I kept on leaving the light on up there for months at a time

In my new place I wired a lamp up on a long flex and put a plug on the end, I wired this so it came out in the airing cupboard below. So now before I go in the loft I just grab the plug from the airing cupboard and plug it into the socket on the landing. This means it doesn't get left on all the time by mistake and the light is on before I get on the ladder

I also looked on gumtree for some second hand strip lights, worked a treat.

Failing that the screw fix inudstrial bulk hard are good and you can daisy chain em

[petey1979]

I'd go with 1.5 just to be safe.

Really you should run the cable from the existing rose to the new rose using the neutral and centre live then run from the new rose down to the switch from the centre live back up to the switch live.

But given it will not be going on a loop how you have done it will be ok. It will just be a light spur.

Actually looking at your diagram, what sort or switch us it? As they normally don't have 'connector' blocks in them? Don't use a bodge block on mains wiring.

Edited by petey1979 on Saturday 8th March 11:43

[rsv gone!]

Wiring is fine. Terminal block will be fine. Waco connectors supposed to be better but practically every electrical fixture in your home will have screw down terminals.

Easiest way to connect subsequent lights is to daisy chain them.

1.0 is rated at 16a, so ample for a couple of strip-lights. If the rest is 1.5 then follow that.

Edited by rsv gone! on Saturday 8th March 11:59

[petey1979]

I would do it more like this, but if any current sparkies have an up to date knowledge then correct me.

[soprano]

Petey are you suggesting something like this?

ETA crossover with posting! - Your diagram is probably quite a bit clearer than mine!

[petey1979]

I just nicked mine of the internet and changed it a little.

It's,been a while since I checked the regs so they may have changed but this Is how I would do it yes.

[soprano]

Cheers for the replies guys

rsv - I'm pretty sure the rest of my wiring is 1.5 so I will follow that thanks.

I have seen both of these methods suggested by electricians. I've not managed to find a definitive answer as to which is best (or why).

[NH1]

Either way of wiring is fine, connector blocks inside switches are also fine. IF the original wiring is 1.5 then use that, 1mm is ok if the MCB oe fuse is 5/6 amps, if its on a 10A it still may be ok so long as its not a house full of halogen downlights and everything buried under the loft insulation.