Adding two extra loft lights to existing light

[Sleebagz]

I live in a new build with one light fitting in the centre of the loft (as shown in photo) controlled by a switch on the landing. I’d like to add two additional lights at either end of the loft. Ideally I’d like to also move the existing light fitting a few feet or so as it’s in an inconvenient location and gets knocked every time we get into the loft.

There’s no slack in the cable to the existing light.

In my head I was thinking stick a 4 way junction box where the existing light fitting is, get myself some twin and earth cable and a couple of light fittings and then run that to each of the 3 lights. Would that be the best way of achieving what I want to do?

My knowledge of electrics is basic but I enjoy having a go.

 

[ETAF]

yes , thats what i would do - if you wanted to switch some of the additional lights you could add a switch - or do you just want all 3 on every time

why 4 way ? whats in the light at the moment - maybe just the 2 wires neutral and switched live - with all th econnections in the switch downstairs which is common i believe now on new builds

 

[Mottie]

Change them for a couple of 4ft led batten lights instead, they’re much better.

 

[ETAF]

i have purchased so good led on offer from screwfix for the garage have about 5 in that 3 car garage and 2 for the car area when using as a workshop cutting etc - also TLC do some good lights i have used in utlity for control type and mount of light

 

[Taylortwocities]

why 4 way ? whats in the light at the moment - maybe just the 2 wires neutral and switched live

Not going to bother with an earth connection then?

 

[ETAF]

thanks i was thinking 3 way rather than 4 - but the difference is not worth it - good point

 

[ebee]

thanks i was thinking 3 way rather than 4 - but the difference is not worth it - good point

I think most sold for lighting was 4T rather than 3T also with 4T you could make some of then separate switching as i only 1 lit or all three lit option inside the loft and your exising switch making that selection only yes or no (on/off),
Anyway a few options for you to consider.

 

[Sleebagz]

Thanks for the replies all, I’ll get some bits and have a go. In response to the LED suggestion I’m just going to go for LED bulbs similar to the one I’ve got up there already. I’ve just replaced a LED Batten in the garage that’s been used daily but has gone pop in under 3 years, at a cost of £30. I figure the loft doesn’t need as many lumens and the LED bulbs are cheap as chips to replace, and I’ve got some handy already.

 

[Sleebagz]

yes , thats what i would do - if you wanted to switch some of the additional lights you could add a switch - or do you just want all 3 on every time

why 4 way ? whats in the light at the moment - maybe just the 2 wires neutral and switched live - with all th econnections in the switch downstairs which is common i believe now on new builds

I’ve never wired a junction box with this many connections, I’ll pick one up and have a look what’s inside…. but in my head I was thinking I need a 4 way (4 ‘ports’ for the cables in/out) as I’ve got 1 cable feeding in and 3 then feeding out to the lights, and would mean I would be connecting 4 cables inside the junction box:

1: The ‘feed in’ cable coming in from the switch (the one that currently goes to the existing light)

Cables 2 3 and 4: Going out to the three individual light fittings.

I presume the live, neutral and earths will either connect to separate brass screw connectors inside the box if there’s enough, or I’ll have to twist some of them together to make the connections.

It seems straight forward in my head, but just when I think I understand wiring and electrics I am persuaded otherwise

 

[ETAF]

ok, so you also need green/yellow sleevign for the earth

YES , 3 connectors -
all live connect to the same connector
all neutral connect to the same connector
all earth connect to the same connector

hence the 3 connections - why did you think 4

hence my question re switched and also whats already in the lamp holder - i assume just 1 T&E - 3 wires

 

[Sleebagz]

I was thinking 4 because there’s the cable coming in and then 3 cables coming out, so 4 in total?

 

[ETAF]

its the conductors in each T&E - not the cables them selves From the switch - should just have L,N,E (but need to check that is the case , dont why not but who knows how they have chosed to wire it) - looking at th epicture , that should just be a T&E - Switched Live, neutral and earth

From the switch in the hall - 1 x T&E L,N,E (E will be sleeved green & yellow ) - then you want 3 T&E out - but they will all connect to L,N,E - and the Earth will need sleeving - so dont forget to buy that and then clipped - do you have T&E - or buying it - if buying with LED bulbs, then 1mm will do

if a new build - then
L = brown
E - bare - with yellow/green sleeving
N = Blue

OR depends on best way to connect those holders - maybe daisy chained - so how are they to run compared to the existing bulb holder - maybe 1 in from switch - 1 out to the 1st bulholder 1 out of bulb holder to next bulb holder and then 1 out to final bulb holder

trying to find a simple diagram