How best to hide unused ceiling light cables

Joined
30 Mar 2008
Messages
138
Reaction score
0
Location
Harrow, London
Country
United Kingdom
I have removed a ceiling light that is no longer needed. However the cables are still sticking out of the ceiling. I thought about pushing them up into the ceiling and filling the hole, but, given that one of the wires will be permanently live, is this safe to do? If as i suspect it is not, what would be the best solution?
 
Sponsored Links
If still live, the best solution is to disconnect the live cables from where they come from, then remove them - that's the best solution and the only one I'd take.
 
If still live, the best solution is to disconnect the live cables from where they come from, then remove them - that's the best solution and the only one I'd take.

thanks, but the problem is live cable is coming from another light rose somewhere. I've no idea which one precedes it in the circuit. even if i did, i doubt i'd be able to remove the cable without removing part of the ceiling!

Ideally i need a workaround.
 
Easiest way is to fit a ceiling rose on the ceiling, and remove the pendant.

Or fit a light fitting.

If you can gain access above, fit a suitable junction onto the end of the cable.

Alternatively, make a larger hole in the ceiling, fit a junction box, and push it into the void.

It looks like the cables pass through a wooden noggin. You would need to get the cables out of this noggin, if that's what it is, to push the junction box into the void.
 
Sponsored Links
If, as seems probable, the other cable runs to a switch then the live cable must come from a nearby light.

Having said that, I see nothing wrong with terminating in a junction box.


The other cable - if not live - should have all conductors connected together at both ends to show that it is not used,
 
yes, one cable runs to a switch (which is still there although i have disabled it). not sure which cable - tried pulling on switch cable, to no avail.

Indeed the cables pass through a piece of wood above the plasterboard. i guess i would need to cut a fairly big hole in that to get a junction box into the ceiling.

i can probably guess which light it is coming from if it is likely to be the nearest light. do you think it's worth a try to remove the wires from that other ceiling rose and pull on the redundant cables to see if it comes loose?
 
If the junction box is going be located in an inaccessible position within the ceiling void then, a "maintenance free" junction box should be used.
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/ASJ804.html[/QUOTE]

Not if the junction box isn't carrying current. Why would it matter?
If it has been disconnected from the circuit and this does not alter the function of lighting elsewhere, then okay(which I don't think has been confirmed)
But if that is not true
Every item of equipment this includes cabling must be arranged in away that it is accessible or compliant to regulation in section 526
 
yes, one cable runs to a switch (which is still there although i have disabled it). not sure which cable - tried pulling on switch cable, to no avail.

Indeed the cables pass through a piece of wood above the plasterboard. i guess i would need to cut a fairly big hole in that to get a junction box into the ceiling.

i can probably guess which light it is coming from if it is likely to be the nearest light. do you think it's worth a try to remove the wires from that other ceiling rose and pull on the redundant cables to see if it comes loose?
I would be lifting the floorboards rather than pulling on cables that you are not aware of route and method of connection, do not rule out that other connection are not made within the ceiling void or switching points, preventing the cable from moving. and you should be removing/disconnecting any looped in connection anyway if your plan is to remove the cable. But you will need to identify this first and make sure it does not effect the function of other lighting or possible equipment supplied beyond that point.
 
There are only two cables, so it must be the last light in the circuit. Therefore not affecting any other fittings. As i've separated the cables only one of them is live i guess.
 
There are only two cables, so it must be the last light in the circuit. Therefore not affecting any other fittings. As i've separated the cables only one of them is live i guess.
Do not rule out a junction box being in-between the two, which could be offering a live feed elsewhere. You need to confirm this before you start pulling at cables.
Have you no access to the floor above?
 
As i've separated the cables only one of them is live i guess.
Which implies you don't have a multimeter.

When you've been dealing with nails and screws, have you been using the heel of a shoe, or the point of a vegetable knife?

Or have you been using a hammer and screwdrivers because they are the right tools?

If you want to do electrical work then a multimeter is as essential as screwdrivers.


This looks ideal for a household starter set - multimeter, voltage indicator and dedicated continuity tester, all in a handy case: http://www.amprobe.eu/de_DE/showproduct/115/Junior-Set/

PDF brochure: http://www.amprobe.eu/de_DE/downloadfile/115/beschreibung_1/

All in German, unfortunately, as is the blurb on each product:

Multimeter: http://www.amprobe.eu/de_DE/showproductdata/487/Hexagon_55/

Voltage indicator: http://www.amprobe.eu/de_DE/showproduct/116/2000_α_(alpha)/

Continuity tester: http://www.amprobe.eu/de_DE/showproduct/481/TESTFIX/

but it is sold in the UK - the company is now owned by Fluke, and I guess they haven't got all the websites sorted out yet - contact them (http://www.fluke.co.uk) for info on where to buy.

Right now the English specs are still lurking on the Internet Time Machine from when Beha was an independent company:

http://web.archive.org/web/20060920022629/http://www.beha.com/files_uk/multimeter/93549.pdf


Also see another discussion here: //www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=26282 It's a few years old, so specific model number advice may be obsolete (and prices will be wrong), but the generic advice is still sound.
 
There are only two cables, so it must be the last light in the circuit. Therefore not affecting any other fittings. As i've separated the cables only one of them is live i guess.
Do not rule out a junction box being in-between the two, which could be offering a live feed elsewhere. You need to confirm this before you start pulling at cables.
Have you no access to the floor above?

Yes i do, but i was hoping not to have to pull up the floorboards. Guess i will have to.. or just fit a ceiling rose with no pendant.

Cheers for all the advice!
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top