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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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    OMS:


    In my opinion yes (but that very much depends on the luminaire that's being installed) - a ceiling rose with loop in is pretty bomb proof - cramming all the connections into an IKEA chandelier less so)

    In an installation where just one cable emerges from the ceiling for each ceiling rose or light fitting, there are only 3 possible faults at the light fitting end:


    1. Open circuit - the light doesn't work when it is switched on.


    2. Short circuit - the breaker trips when the light is switched on.


    3. Loose connection - the light flickers and the terminals get hot.


    In a loop-in installation where 3 cables emerge from a hole in the ceiling for each ceiling rose or light fitting, there are additional faults including:


    1. The light in the room works when it is switched on but downstream lights don't work when they are switched on.


    2. Downstream lights only work when the light in the room is switched on.


    3. Downstream lights flicker.


    4. A permanent short circuit - the breaker trips when no lights are switched on.


    Fault 2 is generally caused by incorrect wiring of a light fitting rather than deterioration of the installation.
Reply
  • 0

    OMS:


    In my opinion yes (but that very much depends on the luminaire that's being installed) - a ceiling rose with loop in is pretty bomb proof - cramming all the connections into an IKEA chandelier less so)

    In an installation where just one cable emerges from the ceiling for each ceiling rose or light fitting, there are only 3 possible faults at the light fitting end:


    1. Open circuit - the light doesn't work when it is switched on.


    2. Short circuit - the breaker trips when the light is switched on.


    3. Loose connection - the light flickers and the terminals get hot.


    In a loop-in installation where 3 cables emerge from a hole in the ceiling for each ceiling rose or light fitting, there are additional faults including:


    1. The light in the room works when it is switched on but downstream lights don't work when they are switched on.


    2. Downstream lights only work when the light in the room is switched on.


    3. Downstream lights flicker.


    4. A permanent short circuit - the breaker trips when no lights are switched on.


    Fault 2 is generally caused by incorrect wiring of a light fitting rather than deterioration of the installation.
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