Flat Downlighters

Removed two downlighters in my daughters flat - she is fed up with the hassle of changing bulbs. The lights removed were in the bathroom and not technically like for like but Zone 2 light fitted on 2.6m high ceiling. My view is that what I have done is safer than what the builder's electrician did. The wire to the first downlighter reaches the new light location so no joint necessary in the loft and can trim back.

The cable insulation on the twin and earth has darkened (presumably with the heat) and the earth sleeving was brittle. 50W Halogen bulbs with inulation over the top (1st floor flat with loft space above).

Now she has four similar downlights in the Kitchen/lounge - should we worry about those?

IJWS15 said:

Now she has four similar downlights in the Kitchen/lounge - should we worry about those?

Click to expand...

They will almost certainly be suffering the same overheating damage.

Bought her four CFL dopwnlighter bulbs as a short term fix for the kitchen, she tried to fit one (There's enthusiasm for you - I was going to do them next time I was there) and she called to say they don't fit . . . .

I had forgotten that we changed white downlighters for brushed chrome just after she moved in and the ones I fitted were fire rates, the ones I took out were not (they had no backs) so there is no issue with the kitchen lights.

There still could be, even though you fitted fire rated type.

All that means is that the fitting will give you the same fire retardation that the plasterboard gives you, if there had not been dirty great big holes cut out of it.

If those lights you installed still utilised halogen lamps then there is still a lot of heat generated by them that can affect the cables, as did the ones in the bathroom, so I would again check them

Will take a look next time I am there