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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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    Fix the hook thru the rose, no problem?
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    ebee:

    The easiest way is to just wire as loop in to a 4 plate ceiling rose with flex and lampholder and inform the owner that if they buy a fancy fitting to ensure that the top bit is a cup that will fit over the backplate (Leave a spare rose backplate for them to lose/ignore when they buy a fitting). Of course you might warn them of a permanent L in the backplate but they often choose to ignore that as well!




    I'm not confident that this method is any easier (or harder) than using the Surewire junction boxes that I have used. Do many electricians install Surewire junction boxes or are they mostly purchased by homeowners who want to install fancy light fittings or do things differently from the norm for differences sake?



     

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    I'm not confident that this method is any easier (or harder) than using the Surewire junction boxes that I have used. Do many electricians install Surewire junction boxes or are they mostly purchased by homeowners who want to install fancy light fittings or do things differently from the norm for differences sake?


    Octopus junction boxes are fine in Bungalos and older properties where surface mounted cabling is the only option. 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.


    Legh

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    ebee:

    Fix the hook thru the rose, no problem?




    Lol ..... ruff ?  ?....  although it sounds like a quick solution as long as you don't crack the rose and I've never tried it myself.


    Legh

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    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/

     

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    ebee:

    Fix the hook thru the rose, no problem?




    Hooks, whatever next?


    When ceiling roses were ornate and made of plaster, the proper way was to pass the chain through the centre and attach it the the joist above.

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    Well, you won't see the wiring of the kind of DIYer who can do two way switching well, as it will not need to be made good.

    Rather as the washing machine repair man only sees the broken ones, only the defective DIY projects will attract professional attention, so your view of the average DIYer may be skewed by that.  (I am not a member of the IET or any part P scheme, so in some eyes, while my work "at work" is professional, at home any "work" I do counts as DIY, and I'm sure I'm not alone in that.)

    Though I agree, there are some very funny ways lighting circuits can be cocked up after removing switches and roses to paint behind or whatever, I seem to have been asked to take a quick look at several over the years.


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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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    When ceiling roses were ornate and made of plaster, the proper way was to pass the chain through the centre and attach it the the joist above.




    Surely to the pulley mechanism allowing the chandelier to be lowered to replace the candles.


    The modern ceiling rose  is defined in BS67 and is mostly unchanged since 1969 added earths, though 1987 revised cord grips and some tests of flammability

     


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    The chain is attached to the joist via a hook or perhaps a screw and this can be mounted thru the CR backplate - there often is a hole for cables near/on centre so you don`t usually need to drill the backplate just screw the hook thru it. Hook your light fitting on and the "cup" covers the backplate. When you move home you can take your fancy light fitting with you and replace the CR cover that you saved (but then inadvertantly threw away years ago) and reinstate the plastic pendant set from the original install. Easy Peezy.


    Anyone installing chandeliers then consult Del Boy Trotter

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