What is the best way to wire ceiling lights?

Tomgunn:

Well, I've fitted about a million of them so add all the other's that have been fitted and I doubt you'll ever find one that's caused any problems... just saying!

This is where it gets philosophical again...


Electrical engineers and building electricians really do inhabit different planets. Electrical engineers are educated - to question things; to ask the hows and whys; to think outside the box; to solve problems. Building electricians are trained - to comply with rules and regulations; to follow established or conventional practices; not to think too deeply or question things; not to innovate. The majority of electrical engineers do not have the level of knowledge about electrical installations in buildings as electricians do as it is rarely taught as part of electrical engineering courses. Neither are they qualified to carry out work on electrical installations in buildings. In fact it wouldn't surprise me if a significant proportion of electrical engineers do not know how to (correctly!!) wire a ceiling rose junction box or replace one with a fancy light fitting - without first doing research. Something every building electrician knows off the top of their head. However, most of the developments and innovations in electrical installations in buildings over the decades have been accomplished by electrical engineers and not building electricians. Seriously, how many building electricians do you know who have developed new products; come up with new theory; or devised new rules and regulations?


It's possible that most building electricians are, to a certain degree, prone to luddism as they prefer to stick to established methods and technology, or what they learned during training, unless forced to change as a result of changes in legislation. In contrast, good engineers are aware that just because something has been done in a particular way for a long time doesn't necessarily imply it is the best way that it can be done.


In my locality it's a bit tricky to find an electrician who is good when it comes to owner occupied houses where the owners want to add advanced features like smart lighting or home automation. The majority of electricians seem to have a mindset for rentals, new builds, or property developers who refurbish and sell houses, where minimalism and cost cutting is the name of the game.

Tomgunn:

Well, I've fitted about a million of them so add all the other's that have been fitted and I doubt you'll ever find one that's caused any problems... just saying!

This is where it gets philosophical again...


Electrical engineers and building electricians really do inhabit different planets. Electrical engineers are educated - to question things; to ask the hows and whys; to think outside the box; to solve problems. Building electricians are trained - to comply with rules and regulations; to follow established or conventional practices; not to think too deeply or question things; not to innovate. The majority of electrical engineers do not have the level of knowledge about electrical installations in buildings as electricians do as it is rarely taught as part of electrical engineering courses. Neither are they qualified to carry out work on electrical installations in buildings. In fact it wouldn't surprise me if a significant proportion of electrical engineers do not know how to (correctly!!) wire a ceiling rose junction box or replace one with a fancy light fitting - without first doing research. Something every building electrician knows off the top of their head. However, most of the developments and innovations in electrical installations in buildings over the decades have been accomplished by electrical engineers and not building electricians. Seriously, how many building electricians do you know who have developed new products; come up with new theory; or devised new rules and regulations?


It's possible that most building electricians are, to a certain degree, prone to luddism as they prefer to stick to established methods and technology, or what they learned during training, unless forced to change as a result of changes in legislation. In contrast, good engineers are aware that just because something has been done in a particular way for a long time doesn't necessarily imply it is the best way that it can be done.


In my locality it's a bit tricky to find an electrician who is good when it comes to owner occupied houses where the owners want to add advanced features like smart lighting or home automation. The majority of electricians seem to have a mindset for rentals, new builds, or property developers who refurbish and sell houses, where minimalism and cost cutting is the name of the game.