Changing from wall to picture lights

[mattieuk]

Hi all

We've got 3 wall-lights in our dining room, and we're looking to replace with frame-mounted picture lights.

The picture lights have a small amount of flex for joining, and the lights are intended to give some freedom of positioning to the frame by leaving some free flex between the light and the wall socket - this is in preference to fixing the light to the wall, chasing cable into the wall, and having to shift it if and when the picture is changed for one in a different size of frame.

I am not sure which is the best way to connect the flex from the light fitting to the flex within the existing wall socket. I can see a number of ways of doing this, but I'm not sure if there's a 'preferred' way that I should follow.

I've found a number of fittings intended to allow flex to be exposed from the socket (example in link below), but I am still left with having to join the two lengths of flex - the flex from the light fitting is too short to reach the socket.

Link to socket fitting:
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p26894

Any ideas or advice gratefully received!

 

[EFLImpudence]

Just to say firstly, you can get bottom exit flex outlets which will be better for what you want.


How does the wire exit the wall at the moment?

 

[delmel]

Replace the flex on the fitting if needed, if you do not want to start chasing walls out to flush boxes in, ugly alternative is plug in ceiling rose. You may like them,but I hate seeing anything. You could even terminate into a switch or a fused connection.


Chisel the wall out or if your lucky you may have plasterboard walls that will make options easier.

 

[mattieuk]

Ta to both for replies, most appreciated.

The flex is currently just a cable emerging from the wall and fixed to the wall light socket. I'll investigate the bottom exit flex connector, ta for pointer, but on closer inspection limiting factor might be the ability to get the back box into the wall.

The walls are what I gather to be a thin layer of lath and plaster over solid stone - chasing in is an horrific task, we did it upstairs and I think I promised the missus never to try it again! I was wondering why the previous owners had mounted all the plug sockets in the skirting boards...

We might just end up with an in-line connection, I'm not a fan of this, as delmel notes it looks a bit cheap but it's save chiselling out solid stone. I'll see if I can find any low-profile connecting boxes that might do a job, otherwise we might take this lazier approach!

 

[delmel]

Again not ideal but you could look at an architrave switch and surface pattress, it will be tight to get extra connectors in the pattress.

 

[ericmark]

To me the old clock outlet was the best but now hard to find and often very expensive when you do find them.

Today the 2A 3 pin socket and plug seems to have replaced the clock unit but these often don't have a built in fuse. So it comes down to what fuse or MCB already exists on the supply.

It was the lighting track in the 1970's Habitat were well know for it and this stuff appeared everywhere it also has plugs so you could plug near anything into it.

The shaver socket

is the other option. Although in a bathroom it needs a transformer it does not need a transformer else where.

To me just a pity these

seem to have disappeared they were ideal for small lights and electric clocks.

 

[JohnW2]

To me just a pity these

seem to have disappeared they were ideal for small lights and electric clocks.

Yes, I've used a good few of those in my time. However, they have not 'disappeared', but are still readily available - for example, MK do both flush and surface-mounted versions (click here to see) .

Kind Regards, John

 

[delmel]

You will only find them made by good old brand manufacturers, likes of MK and Crabtree, maybe Ashley and Volex, however you might find it a challenge getting them from stock these days.

Another option you might consider is the 5amp 3 pin plug and socket, but they will be bigger than plug in rose when surface mounted.

 

[JohnW2]

You will only find them made by good old brand manufacturers, likes of MK and Crabtree, maybe Ashley and Volex, however you might find it a challenge getting them from stock these days.

As per my last post, the MK ones (both flush and surface) are available ex-stock from TLC, for a start.

Kind Regards, John