Halogen downlights installation

[anglais]

Hi
I just wanted to confirm if the way i have wired up some new halogen lights is correct. This is because after having them on for an hour there was a slight burning smell. There are 6 lights.

I attached them from the existing ceiling rose. I used 2.5mm cable.
From the rose i connected to a 20 amp junction box. From here i had 3 more lengths of 2.5mm cable each going to another 20 amp junction box.
Each of these 3 junction boxes then had 2 cables each feeding the 50w halogen lights.



I have not yet fitted the dimmer so the lights were on full for the hour.

Is there any reason, based on the configuration above, why there would be a slight burning smell.

Thanks for any help you can give

anglais

 

[securespark]

LV or SELV?

 

[flameport]

A burning smell with either be:

a. one or more loose connections
b. Something near the lights overheating (cable too close to the light, dust in the ceiling space, plastic wrapping which should have been removed before use)
c. The lights themselves (caused when insulation is placed over them, or there is insufficient ventilation)

2.5mm cable is rather large - surely this was very difficult to fit into the light fittings?

 

[breezer]

Picture is a bit small, why not use

button, and add the pic via the

button

securespark means 12 or 230 v for the lights

 

[anglais]

They are mains power lights.

I have not yet put them into the ceiling space as we are having the plasterer in this week. They are currently hanging down.

I guess it may possibly one of the conections need tightening then. I'll check them all

 

[ban-all-sheds]

There are 6 lights.

How big is the room?

Can you imagine how bright it would be with 3 x 100W GLS pendant lights?

Or with 5 x 5' fluorescent tubes?

If you can, and if the answer is "a damn sight brighter" then can you see why you should never have fitted those lights in the first place?

You are lucky in that the plasterer has not been yet, so you still have time to put right the dreadful mistake you've made...

 

[electronicsuk]

Although it's a matter of personal taste, imagine how much more aesthetically pleasing a set of downlights will look compared to a fluorescent batten...

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Indeed - I'm not suggesting those as an alternative, just using them to illustrate what an appalling job small recessed downlights do of actually lighting a room....

 

[Steve]

For the OP, what you have drawn worries me.

If you cannot get access from above, this means your junction boxes will be inaccessible once plastered. This is not allowed. Unless they can be pulled down through a downlight hole (they are available this small).

If you can get access from above, this means its a loft, with insulation. Which needs to be cleared before you fit the lights properly. Which means your home will not comply with building regs.

 

[Taylortwocities]

If you can get access from above, this means its a loft, with insulation. Which needs to be cleared before you fit the lights properly. Which means your home will not comply with building regs.

Unless you build or buy a suitable box over the downlights. The insulation can then be piled on top.
That will comply with building regs but your lamps will not last as long as they would if they were properly ventilated.

Strip fluorescents rule OK!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Strip fluorescents rule OK!

Well - luminaires which take that type of lamp can rule - depends on location. There aren't many places left these days where your basic strip fitting like this

is going to be OK..

But this in a kitchen looks OK on paper - never seen it in the flesh though:

Or this

Look at suppliers of commercial lighting for offices, hotels etc - there are some nice designs using fluorescents these days, and OLED panels are entering production.

Even good old Screwfix sell fluorescent recessed downlights that work and look OK:

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Unless you build or buy a suitable box over the downlights.

http://www.nhbc.co.uk/NHBCPublicati...ical/StandardsExtra/filedownload,16553,en.pdf

Pre-formed cap to seal downlights: http://www.aico.co.uk/firecap_loftcap.htm (It's NOT a firehood....)

 

[Steve]

I tried to persuade my mum on these for the kitchen, but she hates them.

Ban, the long out you showed (glass shade), is it available in 3 or 4 foot? I think it'd look much less "commerical" if it was shorter, perhaps twin.

Still, ridiculously expensive though lol.

 

[RF Lighting]

I've got a 6' pop pack in my kitchen.

 

[securespark]

I'll stick up for you RF!!

I've got two 6' HF Thorn PopPacks in my kitchen/diner.

Love the light they give, don't care that they're not recessed, although you could do what my old boss did & recess the flu's into the void.