Fitting Fluorescent Light

[imroberts]

I know this isn't strictly an electrical question, but couldn't decide whether any other forum was more appropriate.

I'm fitting a new 5ft fluorescent light to a plasterboard ceiling in a kitchen. I'd originally thought that a couple of plastic plasterboard toggle plugs would be suitable however the light is heavier than I anticipated, particularly at one end where the transformer is.

What would you guys recommend fixing the light with?

 

[EdwardCurrent]

Hello imroberts.

Is it not possible for you to 'pick up' a joist or two ???

These are decent fixings,
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/FXPBS35.html
but joists will be the best option.

Ed

 

[imroberts]

The light fitting doesn't have a great many fixing holes in it, and I'd rather not have to drill it in order to line up with joists

My main concern isn't the strength of the plugs but the ability of the plasterboard to support the weight of the light on two relatively small points. Or am I worrying unduly about nothing?

 

[Adam_151]

A modern fitting should be relativly light, even if it has a wire-wound rather than electronic ballast.... the older fittings were much heaver (and the ballasts ran far hotter!), the self drive fittings should be alright as long as your ceiling is relativly flat, if there is a bit of a curve to it, they can pull out as you try and pull the fitting in. I generally use the hollow wall anchors that you put in with a setting tool ( http://www.screwfix.com/prods/11143...ollow-Wall-Anchor-5-x-72mm-16-32mm-Pack-of-10 ) when something a bit more heavy duty is required

Drilling extra holes in the fitting to get a joist is not something you should have to feel you should shy away from, as long as you dont drill though anything you shouldn't do then its absolutely ok.... as is running a 20mm holesaw through it, filing and fitting grommet when the cable entry is not where you need it

 

[333rocky333]

5mm X 75mm long spring toggles with penny washers under the heads.

 

[londonboy]

.... as is running a 20mm holesaw through it, filing and fitting grommet when the cable entry is not where you need it

Are they ever in the right place!

 

[333rocky333]

The holes are in the same places as they have been since the sixties,

It is your cables being put in wrong.

They were 2ft or now 600mm centres as anyone doing conduit would know.

 

[londonboy]

The holes are in the same places as they have been since the sixties,

It is your cables being put in wrong.

They were 2ft or now 600mm centres as anyone doing conduit would know.

I meant in domestic, if I was changing a pendant to flourescent

 

[Adam_151]

Very rare I end up putting one up on conduit... but normally when I do, I find the modern fittings are too narrow to cover the BESA boxes and I end up having to use a couple of lids in there as well...

 

[ColJack]

The holes are in the same places as they have been since the sixties,

It is your cables being put in wrong.

They were 2ft or now 600mm centres as anyone doing conduit would know.

I meant in domestic, if I was changing a pendant to flourescent

but if you're changing a pendant then the ceiling rose is screwed to the joist with the cables comming down the side of it.. so you've at least one set of screws into wood..

 

[wingcoax]

Depends how old the house is. You can still find the original noggin between the joist in a lot of older houses. Did a job last year and they wanted a chandelier in the hallway. Thought "you will be lucky" bedroom above was empty so lifted board and found noggin "piece of cake"