Downlights wired into terminal blocks

[Jupiter01]

I was replacing a downlight at a mates house last weekend and when I popped out the unit, I noticed that the downlight was wired in white flex but this went into a terminal block and the incoming and outcoming T&E also went into this. I should have taken a pic but something like this:

They were not in a case and not even taped up. I had to isolate the electrics in order to handle this.
Out of curiosity, I checked another downlight and it's wired in exactly the same way.

Personally, I have used this arrangement in the past:

Safe and easy to maintain.

My mate has tonnes of these downlights throughout the house and I suspect that they are all wired in the same way as it was all done by the same "electrician"...

I know it's not ideal but is it unsafe and can you explain the danger it presents please. Thanks in advance.

 

[Taylortwocities]

First of all, all junctions must be enclosed. That junction is not enclosed.
When in an enclosure, only the cable outer sheath should be visible.
The enclosure should be screwed to background material and the cables must be clipped.
If the enclosure is not fixed, it must have cable strain relief clamps - in your example, there is nothing to stop the conductors being pulled out of the terminal, with extreme danger, as live conductors may just be waving around.

 

[Jupiter01]

there is nothing to stop the conductors being pulled out of the terminal, with extreme danger, as live conductors may just be waving around.

Understood.
But if they are all sitting above the ceiling, they wont be pulled and hence, not an immediate danger?

 

[ericmark]

The regulations state IP ratings and talk about needing a tool or key, but in real terms, could you lift a floor board reach under it, and touch a live wire? I am thinking about the scenario where you are looking for something non-electrical, feeling for pipes, for example.

In real terms, non-compliance and dangerous are not the same. So if you want to report someone to their scheme provider then yes non-compliant, but if you want the HSE to take him to court, then being dangerous is another question.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Understood.
But if they are all sitting above the ceiling, they wont be pulled and hence, not an immediate danger?

Well, you got to see the choc block because someone pulled the down light out of the ceiling. There’s your immediate danger.

 

[AndyPRK]

I think you will find 80% of downlight are connected poorly or against regulation. So I wouldn’t worry.

Things are improving now boxes are supplied with some down lights
The quick connect (screw less connection) really suit lighting.

 

[Murdochcat]

I think you will find 80% of downlight are connected poorly or against regulation. So I wouldn’t worry.

Things are improving now boxes are supplied with some down lights
The quick connect (screw less connection) really suit lighting.

Hit, nail and head springs to mind

 

[flameport]

I think you will find 80% of downlight are connected poorly or against regulation. So I wouldn’t worry.

That attitude is exactly how the electrical industry got into the dog mess it's in today.

If 80% of downlights are connected poorly, then 80% of them need to be removed and installed properly.

 

[ericmark]

I look at down lights, and undecided, here they replaced a fluorescent tube, started as 65 watt fat tube, when I could not get them went to 58 watt thin tube, and when the voltage reduced to 24 watt LED tube, and I look at the light from down lights, and it is no better, but with a high ceiling which this is, it does look a little better, so how much for the light and how much for decoration?

There is no assess from above, so no one is going to stick their hands under the floor boards, not a clue how my son has wired them, but even if a simple choc block, it is hardly going to present a danger, the junction box style like this

seems to be designed for converting from a ceiling rose to continental style lighting, but in that same room my father-in-law ran horizontal switch to switch, around 4 corners, and that did catch me out, I had not expected it to be wired like that, and hit wires with a hack saw blade. I had expected safe zones to have been used.

But the problem is, people buy the lights, and expect them to be fitted by magic, and don't buy the junction box, and someone is presented with the lights, and SWMBO think they can be put up like Christmas tree lights.

 

[Risteard]

I think you will find 80% of downlight are connected poorly or against regulation. So I wouldn’t worry.

Things are improving now boxes are supplied with some down lights
The quick connect (screw less connection) really suit lighting.

I suspect 80% understates the issue. Not sure I'd agree that it's nothing to be concerned about though.

 

[Notch7]

I find those little wago boxes to be pretty good