downlighters and finding joists
- Thread starter panny300
- Start date
Once you've located one then it becomes easier, because they're commonly about 400mm apart (between centres).
Do you have floorboards upstairs? If so can you see the nails? If so can you measure from the wall and transfer that measurement to the ceiling underneath?
Oh bum - Crafty got in there first.
Do you have floorboards upstairs? If so can you see the nails? If so can you measure from the wall and transfer that measurement to the ceiling underneath?
Oh bum - Crafty got in there first.
E
EdwardCurrent
Hi,
When you take the existing light down, you will hopefully be alongside a joist !
. This may give you a starting point for measuring. However you may have to cross joists if the lights are not all within the same span, and watch out for pipe runs ?? !
400 sounds about right
Ed
When you take the existing light down, you will hopefully be alongside a joist !
. This may give you a starting point for measuring. However you may have to cross joists if the lights are not all within the same span, and watch out for pipe runs ?? !400 sounds about right
Ed
You'll need to know where they are, and access them, at least in one direction. You'll have to run connecting wires.
If you're lucky the rows of downlights will run down beween the rows of joists, but you will need to drill thru the joists in the other direction for cables to join the rows up.
If you are very unlucky the ceiling might be made out of joists at 400mm centres with cross noggins also at 400mm. Your only solution there is to take the floor up in teh room above.
If you're lucky the rows of downlights will run down beween the rows of joists, but you will need to drill thru the joists in the other direction for cables to join the rows up.
If you are very unlucky the ceiling might be made out of joists at 400mm centres with cross noggins also at 400mm. Your only solution there is to take the floor up in teh room above.
It would only comply if the cable had an earthed metallic covering because it's unlikely the cable would run within within the defined safe zones and it's not 50mm from the ceiling face.
......and I've also seen this bodge done...
......and I've also seen this bodge done...
I've seen the wiring run behind ceiling coving with the wiring runs going up into the ceiling coming from one side of the room. Not the best solution, but at least the cables are in a recognised "safe" zone.
thanks for the replys,, it's a mates study and he has had ceiling lowered, so can't see joists from above. the centre light has been covered and he had the plasterer run cables to the side of joists in the area of where the downlighters are going to be. but forgot to make any markings.
so i need to locate the joists without sticking a pointy thing through his new plaster.
so i need to locate the joists without sticking a pointy thing through his new plaster.
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