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What is the best way to wire ceiling lights?

Arran Cameron
The ceiling rose junction box with its loop-in wiring is now really showing its age and is no longer a practical (or even safe) installation for most residents who wish to install fancy light fittings. It is still, however, the most common arrangement for new build houses and rewires, probably as the result of the electrician's training and how they consider it to be the norm or they cannot think of (potentially better) alternatives.


So, what is the best way to wire ceiling lights? Should neutral wires be taken to the switches or not?
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    "One more followon question, if looping at the switch, would you fit a 3 core from switch to light, allowing for independent switching of a light/ceiling fan? or only if specified by the customer?"


    Depends what is likely to be further connected.

    If using a PIR switch in a bathroom then it would be the most convenient solution to connect a fan, switch and light with 3-core which makes the live and neutral loop-in available elsewhere.

    I once installed touch lighting which only required a two core cable at each switch on each floor. it actually turned out cheaper to provide 3-core cables between the switches on each floor so I made provision for the customer ignorance without the increased charges to make amendments. When the 2-core lighting version was installed the client changed her mind and wanted the standard version of light switching.

    Note the enboldened text, because that is part of domestic electrical installations....


    Legh
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  • 0
    "One more followon question, if looping at the switch, would you fit a 3 core from switch to light, allowing for independent switching of a light/ceiling fan? or only if specified by the customer?"


    Depends what is likely to be further connected.

    If using a PIR switch in a bathroom then it would be the most convenient solution to connect a fan, switch and light with 3-core which makes the live and neutral loop-in available elsewhere.

    I once installed touch lighting which only required a two core cable at each switch on each floor. it actually turned out cheaper to provide 3-core cables between the switches on each floor so I made provision for the customer ignorance without the increased charges to make amendments. When the 2-core lighting version was installed the client changed her mind and wanted the standard version of light switching.

    Note the enboldened text, because that is part of domestic electrical installations....


    Legh
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