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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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    Arran Cameron:




    Legh Richardson:



     I suspect most DIYers would be lost facing the challange of wiring multiway switching through a Surewire junction box. They have both have their limitations.


    The modern (technically correct?!) method of wiring two-way switching is to connect the first switch to the Surewire, or ceiling rose, junction box with twin and earth cable (which contains a permanent live and a switched live wire) then connect the second switch to the first switch using 3 core and earth cable. This method ensures that equal currents flow in opposite directions in both cables, therefore eliminating induction loops.

    http://www.lightwiring.co.uk/two-way-switching-3-wire-system-new-harmonised-cable-colours/

     


     




    Thank you for the link although there is nothing there which describes Surewire or Octopus junction box wiring configurations. The circuits shown are the basic lighting circuits that may help DIYers (including Mike....lol ) out of a dangerous event taking place.


    Legh

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  • 0

    Arran Cameron:




    Legh Richardson:



     I suspect most DIYers would be lost facing the challange of wiring multiway switching through a Surewire junction box. They have both have their limitations.


    The modern (technically correct?!) method of wiring two-way switching is to connect the first switch to the Surewire, or ceiling rose, junction box with twin and earth cable (which contains a permanent live and a switched live wire) then connect the second switch to the first switch using 3 core and earth cable. This method ensures that equal currents flow in opposite directions in both cables, therefore eliminating induction loops.

    http://www.lightwiring.co.uk/two-way-switching-3-wire-system-new-harmonised-cable-colours/

     


     




    Thank you for the link although there is nothing there which describes Surewire or Octopus junction box wiring configurations. The circuits shown are the basic lighting circuits that may help DIYers (including Mike....lol ) out of a dangerous event taking place.


    Legh

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