Ikea ceiling light troubles

[diyyid]

Hello

I'm trying to install an Ikea ceiling light ( https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/nymane-ceiling-spotlight-with-3-spots-white-00336267/ ) but am having trouble getting the backing plate onto a firm fixing.

My electrics are surface mounted (rented property) but after removing the ceiling rose, I found a metal box where the old wiring was. The problem is the Ikea plate holes don't align with them and I am unsure which type of screw would fit into it anyway.

There is a wall plug precariously hanging into the side which I am reluctant to disturb - it is used to secure the ceiling rose at the moment.

Attached is a picture of the ceiling (screw holes in blue, wall plug in yellow) and the Ikea plate. Any ideas?

 

[Wayners]

Landlord will go ape you messing with that.
Unless you are the landlord.

Electrical rethreading tool M4 size and modern electric box M4 bolt.
Normal is 3.5mm..
Fix ply wood.
Fix light to that.
use wago to wire.

Do you know which is the switch wire and neutral wires as I can't see any cables marked.
You will also have permanent live wires.

 

[endecotp]

Some IKEA lights will attach to a hook:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/deta-1-hook-plates-10-pack/1128j

 

[ericmark]

Looks like a standard conduit box to me. Old would be 2 BA new would be 4 mm and 2 inches apart. This has been a standard for years, so the Ikea slots should match that standard.

As said you do need permission from Landlord to do this work, and normally they will require a minor works certificate raising to cover it.

 

[diyyid]

Hi, thanks for replies.

Landlord will go ape you messing with that.
Unless you are the landlord.

Electrical rethreading tool M4 size and modern electric box M4 bolt.
Normal is 3.5mm..
Fix ply wood.
Fix light to that.
use wago to wire.

Do you know which is the switch wire and neutral wires as I can't see any cables marked.
You will also have permanent live wires.

Yes, I know where the switch, neutral, etc is, I've labelled them on the ceiling pendant which I removed temporarily.

I'm definitely staying away from any drastic changes. If I could just get the ikea plate fitted right, I could wago the connections without any permanent changes.

Some IKEA lights will attach to a hook:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/deta-1-hook-plates-10-pack/1128j

Unfortunately not this one. The base plate needs to be screwed into ceiling before anything can be done

Looks like a standard conduit box to me. Old would be 2 BA new would be 4 mm and 2 inches apart. This has been a standard for years, so the Ikea slots should match that standard.

As said you do need permission from Landlord to do this work, and normally they will require a minor works certificate raising to cover it.

2BA looks about right. Two screws secure the pendant base to conduit - what appeared to be a 2BA and a crosshead going into the wall plug.

I tried putting the Ikea baseplate over the holes and couldn't get the screw holes to line up.

It all looked so simple on paper!

 

[flameport]

I tried putting the Ikea baseplate over the holes and couldn't get the screw holes to line up.

Drill new holes in the ikea baseplate so they are the correct spacing.

 

[diyyid]

I'll be returning it - not worth the hassle. I'll find an option that's compatible with my current setup