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Bets solution to resolve hole behind ceiling light

Former Community Member over 4 years ago

Hi

Sorry if this is quite a basic question.

I am trying to work out the best way to fill in a hole behind a ceiling light. The light is mounted direct to the ceiling and has multiple lamps mounted on arms, my guess is it weighs between 1kg and 2kg. There has been a hole made behind the mounting to accommodate the connections which would attract a C2 on an EICR, I am trying to work out how best to resolve this.

I could put a hole in the floor above and mount a box above the fitting, but this feels like a lot of effort if it's not required.

I could use fire retardant sealant but this strikes me as a bit messy and wont be good for future maintenance

I was wondering if I could use a circular dry lining box but I am concerned about its weight bearing ability, the ones I have found are rated at 3Kg which is enough for the light fitting I have but I think BS7671 requires a minimum of 5Kg?

I would like to know what others would do and if there is a recommended solution.

Thanks

Alan

0 Zoomup over 4 years ago

Alan B:

Hi

Sorry if this is quite a basic question.

I am trying to work out the best way to fill in a hole behind a ceiling light. The light is mounted direct to the ceiling and has multiple lamps mounted on arms, my guess is it weighs between 1kg and 2kg. There has been a hole made behind the mounting to accommodate the connections which would attract a C2 on an EICR, I am trying to work out how best to resolve this.

I could put a hole in the floor above and mount a box above the fitting, but this feels like a lot of effort if it's not required.

I could use fire retardant sealant but this strikes me as a bit messy and wont be good for future maintenance

I was wondering if I could use a circular dry lining box but I am concerned about its weight bearing ability, the ones I have found are rated at 3Kg which is enough for the light fitting I have but I think BS7671 requires a minimum of 5Kg?

I would like to know what others would do and if there is a recommended solution.

Thanks

Alan

There must be millions of decorative luminaires screwed to ceilings with just taped up chock blocks above them in the void. As long as the electrical connections are sound and insulated by a Wago type box or other joint box, the luminaire's base should cover the ceiling hole. All is good. Nobody can touch live parts. Or are you saying that the luminaire base plate is smaller than the hole in the ceiling?

Z.
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0 Zoomup over 4 years ago

Is the ceiling hole bigger than the luminaire base? Historical new light fitting video with learn a new accent bonus as well.......

How to fit a ceiling light UK- Ultimate Handyman DIY tips - Bing video

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0 Zoomup over 4 years ago

Then there is the American overkill method.

CEILING HOLE TOO BIG FOR DOWNLIGHT | Converting Recessed Light to Flush Mount - Bing video

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0 Former Community Member over 4 years ago

Thanks for the feedback. the hole is quite small and easily covered by the luminaire base plate. Connections are just taped chock blocks at the moment, one option I was considering was to put the connections in a Wago box. The light fitting is screwed in to the beam above reducing the space have available, I need to check to see if I can make a hole big enough for the Wago box whilst staying within the dimensions of the light fitting.
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0 Zoomup over 4 years ago

Alan B:

Thanks for the feedback. the hole is quite small and easily covered by the luminaire base plate. Connections are just taped chock blocks at the moment, one option I was considering was to put the connections in a Wago box. The light fitting is screwed in to the beam above reducing the space have available, I need to check to see if I can make a hole big enough for the Wago box whilst staying within the dimensions of the light fitting.

Small hole, Wagos taped up, hidden behind the base plate below plasterboard, if there's room ....the job's a good un. Why make the hole bigger and more work for yourself.

Z.
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0 mapj1 over 4 years ago

weight issues are best solved with bits of roof batten to spread the load, or ideally to pick up on a nearby joist. The batten can be screwed into to hold it still in a place that later the fitting covers the screw heads, The fitting then screws to the batten, sandwiching the ceiling board.

Dry lining boxes on thier own are good for light (weight) fittings or when used with cover discs for joints you need access to, but unless you are very careful to make the hole very snug, it is easy not get the full load bearing ability as a retro-fit in an existing ceiling.

Mike.

PS the roof batten idea, pluss a bit of wire through a very small hole in the middle can be used to hold a plasterboard patch in place while you screw it if you need to lose a hole in the middle of a large panel completely. Here you drive the screws into the plaster board (both the main panel and the patch) deep enough to be able to fill over the heads. Once the screws in place cut the wire and push the stub into the void and fill that hole as well as the seam and the screw heads too.
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0 Chris Pearson over 4 years ago

Are you proposing to do this work in the mistaken belief that it attracts a code of C2?
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0 Zoomup over 4 years ago

Alan B:

Thanks for the feedback. the hole is quite small and easily covered by the luminaire base plate. Connections are just taped chock blocks at the moment, one option I was considering was to put the connections in a Wago box. The light fitting is screwed in to the beam above reducing the space have available, I need to check to see if I can make a hole big enough for the Wago box whilst staying within the dimensions of the light fitting.

Sometimes old fashioned choc blocks are smaller than Wago connectors and are better suited to hide in restricted spaces.

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0 Former Community Member over 4 years ago

There must be millions of decorative luminaires screwed to ceilings with just taped up chock blocks above them in the void. As long as the electrical connections are sound and insulated by a Wago type box or other joint box, the luminaire's base should cover the ceiling hole. All is good.

Sometimes old fashioned choc blocks are smaller than Wago connectors and are better suited to hide in restricted spaces.

Are you proposing to do this work in the mistaken belief that it attracts a code of C2?

526.5?

Regards

BOD
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0 Former Community Member over 4 years ago

My understanding is that having holes in the back of the fitting and the joints going in to the hole bring the joints close to the beams and they then become a dire risk. The area I am working with already has some connectors in it for the luminaire's own wiring, this plus 4 cables coming in for 2 way switch and connection two second light is making everything very tight.

It won't work with a single choc block, Wagos just about work but no room to tape them up, if I make a hole for a Wago box the fitting wont cover it entirely. I think the next attempt will be with single pieces of choc block which will be a bit smaller than Wagos. I hate having everything jammed in, I am becoming more tempted with lifting the carpet, creating an access hole above and putting a Wago box in that way.
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Bets solution to resolve hole behind ceiling light

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