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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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    Alasdair Anderson:

    For the loop-in installation you missed out

    5. Permanently on - the light has been connected to the loop live connection instead of the switched live......again caused by incorrect wiring, but a lot easier to spot than 2.




    I had already thought of this. It's something I could write volumes about as the epitome of a botched DIY installation.


    A few other faults as a result of incorrect wiring:


    6. The light is permanently on and when the switch is closed it short circuits the live and neutral, tripping the breaker.


    7. The bulb is wired in series with the downstream lights and only comes on (at half brightness) when a downstream light is also switched on.


    8. The bulb is wired in series with the downstream lights and only comes on (at half brightness) when a downstream light is switched on. When the switch (for the light in the room) is closed it short circuits the live and neutral, tripping the breaker.



     

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  • 0

    Alasdair Anderson:

    For the loop-in installation you missed out

    5. Permanently on - the light has been connected to the loop live connection instead of the switched live......again caused by incorrect wiring, but a lot easier to spot than 2.




    I had already thought of this. It's something I could write volumes about as the epitome of a botched DIY installation.


    A few other faults as a result of incorrect wiring:


    6. The light is permanently on and when the switch is closed it short circuits the live and neutral, tripping the breaker.


    7. The bulb is wired in series with the downstream lights and only comes on (at half brightness) when a downstream light is also switched on.


    8. The bulb is wired in series with the downstream lights and only comes on (at half brightness) when a downstream light is switched on. When the switch (for the light in the room) is closed it short circuits the live and neutral, tripping the breaker.



     

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