Light fitting replacement...how easy is it?

Hi All,

Quick Question, I want to change the lighting in my living room from a standard 1 bulb pendulum fitting to some spotlights like the Amazon listing below. My question is how easy is this to replace, .i.e are the wires and fittings likely to be the same and be a like for like replacement? I'm trying to work out if I can change them or i'm going to have to pay to get someone in, which I want to avoid if possible.

The house is approx. 20 years old if that's a factor to take into account.

Thanks in advance for any help, it's much appreciated.

Kind regards....Mark.

How easy it will be depends on how many cables there are connected to the existing fitting. Some houses have multiple cables at each light position, others only have one.

Obviously, the more there are, the more time consuming and potentially tricky it can get.

m4roon said:

, I want to change the lighting in my living room from a standard 1 bulb pendulum fitting to some spotlights like the Amazon listing below. My question is how easy is this to replace, .i.e are the wires and fittings likely to be the same and be a like for like replacement?

Click to expand...

These may be of assistance

securespark said:

How easy it will be depends on how many cables there are connected to the existing fitting. Some houses have multiple cables at each light position, others only have one.

Obviously, the more there are, the more time consuming and potentially tricky it can get.

Click to expand...

There doesn't look enough space to fit the cables from the three plate rose into the new fitting, so you will need a junction box in the ceiling void to take these and may need to extend the switch live neutral and earth to fit in the new light. Unscrew the existing rose and post a pic for clarification.

If you do try this my advice to you I’d to take photos of the connections before you take any cables out of the existing fitting

blup said:

There doesn't look enough space to fit the cables from the three plate rose into the new fitting, so you will need a junction box in the ceiling void to take these and may need to extend the switch live neutral and earth to fit in the new light. Unscrew the existing rose and post a pic for clarification.

Click to expand...

I'd not sure I'd agree, its quite a large circular base, so even if it is three plated there, a bit of time dressing the cables to lie flat against the ceiling while avoiding the threaded mounts from the spots should see it done without too much hassle. Depending on the nature of the new fitting because many of them have immoveable terminals due to the tang that earths the body of the fitting, I often fit pigtails to the fitting (pulled from a bit of 3c flex, or short lengths of singles, depending on whats to hand) ready and then just put these into the wagos which I've already made the fixed wiring off into, dress the pigtails round and fit onto the base. Its easier than trying to get 3 short neutrals and earths into a poorly positioned (and often rubbish) terminal on the fitting