Adding Additional Light Bulb in Loft

[adzyp]

Hi,

In my loft at the moment there is a standard light bulb in a lamp holder connected to a single switch with flat grey cable. simple. However I have now put some flooring down up there and towards one end its now pretty dark so i want to add an additional bulb.

I know its pretty simple to do but just want to be sure im getting the correct rated equipment.

Looking at one of these - http://www.diy.com/departments/crabtree-gloss-plastic-angled-batten-lamp-holder/241674_BQ.prd

But how do i go about connecting them both up? Do I disconnect the current bulb holder and instead put a terminal box in its place, then run off 2 new pieces of wire, one to each bulb?

If so, what amp terminal box do i need and what sort of wire?

Thanks

 

[ericmark]

101 ways to do it. The first question is can you get extra wires in the original. My loft has some old Christmas lights 10W bulb in each, did have fluorescent but hit the tube moving things around so the plastic lanterns over the Christmas lights offers some protection.

Using a simple round JB is likely easy way. I used a 13A socket it does not really comply, but I know it's only for lights. Any lamp not being used tends to end up in the loft. At one time I was using a 70W metal halide which was really over kill. If I was wiring from scratch likely would use a strip of LED lamps, the cheap ones I tell everyone not to use as not used very often but loft is so low need many small lights and of a type unlikely to get damaged.

 

[adzyp]

101 ways to do it. The first question is can you get extra wires in the original. My loft has some old Christmas lights 10W bulb in each, did have fluorescent but hit the tube moving things around so the plastic lanterns over the Christmas lights offers some protection.

Using a simple round JB is likely easy way. I used a 13A socket it does not really comply, but I know it's only for lights. Any lamp not being used tends to end up in the loft. At one time I was using a 70W metal halide which was really over kill. If I was wiring from scratch likely would use a strip of LED lamps, the cheap ones I tell everyone not to use as not used very often but loft is so low need many small lights and of a type unlikely to get damaged.

Thats interesting actually, a long LED strip my be a good idea. How would you power these up though, could they be wired up to the switch thats already there, replacing the wire and bulb?

 

[Taylortwocities]

LED strips are fine, but you'll need one that runs off 230v, or you'll also need to buy a driver as well, and that's a lot of complication for a simple loft light.

Personally, I would put up a fluorescent strip light.

 

[adzyp]

LED strips are fine, but you'll need one that runs off 230v, or you'll also need to buy a driver as well, and that's a lot of complication for a simple loft light.

Personally, I would put up a fluorescent strip light.

Thanks Taylor, i did think of that earlier aswell. Assuming its just a straight swap with whats there now? (take off bulb holder and connect to strip light?)

 

[Taylortwocities]

Yes. It will depend a bit on how the existing light is wired, but basically a straight swop.
Make sure the florry is earthed.