Disconnected Wall Lights

My lounge had 3 wall lights in it, which I have now removed as we are about to re-decorate. We won't be replacing the wall lights. The wall lights were switched separately from the main lights, both at a 2 gang switch. There is also a socket switched with the wall lights which I expect was once a round pin socket for a standard lamp, but which had been changed at some point to a standard UK socket (I found this out when I plugged the vacuum cleaner in to the socket and the lights tripped as well as the vacuum cleaner). I don't want to retain this socket either.

I have disconnected the wall light wiring at the switch, removing the com-com link wire that was required before, and placed connected live, switched live and earth together in a single choc block. I've done the same at each of the wall light positions and the ex-standard lamp socket. That is, all the redundant, disconnected, wiring is electrically dead with the old live, switched live and earth all connected together. The remaining lighting is working as it should, and nothing is tripped in the CU.

I can't currently remove the wiring altogether as I don't have access to the wiring from above, due to laminate flooring. If and when I get access from above I'll try to remove the wiring then.

Can I safely tuck the ends of the wall light wiring away and replaster over? Or must I use blanking plates and a back box? If I have to use a back box then I'd need to use metal ones - do I then need to ensure they are earthed?

That sounds alright to just bury, but -

some of the conductors must have been neutrals.

These may be what you are calling 'switched lives' but the neutral wire(s) would have been connected to an actual neutral, presumably at the switch.

If so, this actual neutral should not be connected to all the rest of the 'dead' wires.

SomebodyElseDoIt said:

all the redundant, disconnected, wiring is electrically dead

Click to expand...

If that is true then you can leave the wires in the wall.

If not, which includes if the neutral is still connected, then the other option is to cut into the wall at ceiling level above each light, locate the cable and cut it there, seal the ends with heatshrink sleeving and plaster that into the wall. The wire can remain connected at the other end provided the hidden part is within 150mm of the ceiling.

SomebodyElseDoIt said:

I have disconnected the wall light wiring at the switch, removing the com-com link wire that was required before, and placed connected live, switched live and earth together in a single choc block. I've done the same at each of the wall light positions and the ex-standard lamp socket. That is, all the redundant, disconnected, wiring is electrically dead with the old live, switched live and earth all connected together.

Click to expand...

I would recommend that you label all wires/cables so connected as "NOT IN SERVICE" (or use similar wording) at both ends.

Hence, if in future someone comes across these unused wires, they will not be left wondering - and start another thread on this site.

If all the conductors are, as stated, connected together, it will be clear that they are not in service.

EFLImpudence said:

If all the conductors are, as stated, connected together, it will be clear that they are not in service.

Click to expand...

Indeed.

If any labelling is to be done, probably more useful would be to indicate where the cable goes - just in case of the (very unlikely) scenario that, at some point in the future, someone might be able to make use of the cable for some purpose.

Kind Regards, John

Just coming back to the neutral... there were indeed neutrals at the switch, all joined together. I have disconnected the neutral for the wall light circuit at the switch and choc-blocked it with what was the switched live and the earth. The wall light circuit is entirely disconnected from any other, and choc-blocked together wherever I can easily access it.

I have taken photos showing where the wall lights were, with measurements. I will also indicate which direction the cables go in. My intention is to hand those over to any future occupier - though I expect to be here indefinitely.

Thanks to all for your help.

That's all satisfactory, then. Just bury the disused cable.

Very conscientious of you.

What can I say... I've read a lot of threads on this forum!