Wiring in a loft light

[daveyrach]

Morning All

I have not been on in a while as I have been moving house and currently have no internet at home.

My job this weekend is to board the loft so we can get some things up there, but, i want to put a light up there. Now i am competent when it comes to wiring but i have a couple of questions.

As it is in the loft there is quite a few wires in the loft going to the upstairs lights I can run it off, my question is can I simply run a cable off a light to a standard light switch then onto the strip light or do I need to run the cable to terminal blocks and have a separate cable off to the switch as with a normal indoor light??

Any advice greatly appreciated.

[Sid Squid]

Whatever physical wiring layout is the most practical is the one you should use. Electrically speaking there's no difference what actual form the wiring takes, but obviously the connections will be slightly different.
If it's easier for the wiring to go from supply to light and then to the switch, you'll probably need a single connector* in the light to arrange the live and switching. If the wiring goes from supply to switch then to the light, you'll need two connectors to arrange the neutral and earth connections through the switch box, although dependent on the exact switch enclosure you use there may be a earth terminal in there.

But then you are suitably certificated to do this work - so you don't need to ask us do you?

*Clearly this depends on the fitting you use - some have a loop in connector similar to that found on a ceiling rose, some don't, if yours does then no connectors will be needed obviously.

[timwilky]

I am sorry to say this.

If you need to ask, you are not competent.

I know it is petty, but this would be classed as a new circuit and part P applies.

[daveyrach]

I am sorry to say this.

If you need to ask, you are not competent.

I know it is petty, but this would be classed as a new circuit and part P applies.

But it isn't a new circuit its and addition to the upstairs lighting circuit. Was only after advice on best layout of wiring.

[stormingjoe]

Use an extension lead type rather than a fixed unit, you could move the light about to where you need it, you buy or make your own easy enough.


Podgey on a bike :)

[Specialone]

Sorry to say mate, Tim may be right, afaik that is a modification to a circuit and I think that foes come under part p, but there is a grey area, you are allowed to add a spur to a ring so technically your lights aren't any different.

Anyway...

I'd fit a ceiling Rose as this will have the loop in, you'll need live and neutral feed from another Rose, then live to and from your switch.

[tom-k6]

just use a bladdy torrrcchhh :D

[daveyrach]

Sorry to say mate, Tim may be right, afaik that is a modification to a circuit and I think that foes come under part p, but there is a grey area, you are allowed to add a spur to a ring so technically your lights aren't any different.

Anyway...

I'd fit a ceiling Rose as this will have the loop in, you'll need live and neutral feed from another Rose, then live to and from your switch.

I have a strip light to go up there, I know how how to wire it up and all about the loop etc. All lives together. neutral to neutral on light, the switched live from switch (Black with red band wire) to live on light, easy really was just after opinions. I have a junction box to take a spur from the landing light.

[DJFridge]

What's part P? I just put wires where I need them, when I need them. But then, I'm old enough to have been taught how to wire a plug at school!

[tigersaw]

I've still got a lifetimes supply of red/black twin and earth to avoid all this new rule nonesence

[timwilky]

I've still got a lifetimes supply of red/black twin and earth to avoid all this new rule nonesence
+1

[Specialone]

Ive got no problem with part p tbh, what does annoy me is a complete noob can pay £1000 and get part p to do some works legally, but a fully qualified, time served electrician cant if isnt a member of the NIC or part P scheme, its stupid.

I had to pay building control to test my new fusebox which an electrician friend put in for me but at the time couldnt certify it, so the building control sub contractor turns up and does it, he's less qualified than my mate who fitted it, he wasnt a member of any scheme, but his company was, again, stupid.

[thefallenangel]

Don't get into a part P arguement. I am time served industrial electrician who wires up boards + circuits and been time served for 18 months and work with HV and guys who have been HV trained for 30 years for someone to come and modify a couple of sockets.

And IMO just take a supply out of a socket if you are asking as there is no PAT testing required on household equipment. Just get a 13A plug, stick a 2A fuse in it, length of cable mount a switch onto the light fitting job done. In fact Part P is crap, how can you do the above and it not be classed as a circuit change where you can make the same mistakes as putting another circuit on a ring main?