Looking for a bit of advice. I am in the process of replacing my existing ceiling lights with multiple recessed halogens. I live in a victorian house, so the lights are recessed into the ceiling voids, made up of plasterboard and wooden joists (quite old and messy with debris around). So far I have used mains voltage, but having read a few of the forums have some additional questions:
1. The lights are double insulated without an earth terminal. My method is to run a live and neutral off the main loop into a junction box, then split this into four or five live and neutrals, which I run to each light. Is this an acceptable method or should I use the 'daisy chain' method? I am a little concerned that I have one wire running off the loop that then splits into 5 - does this overload the wire?
2. Is there a safe limit to the length of the wires from the junction box to the lights?
3. Currently I do not have fire hoods, all the lights have a decent air space around them and there is no insulation material nearby. However, a few of the lights are close to the joists. The manufacturers installation instructions only refer to a minimum ceiling height, not distance from joists. Should I consider hoods, considering that the inside edge of the hood will also be quite close to the light and could result in it overheating and blowing more regularly.
4. Is there a limit to how many lights I can run off each loop. I have read that around 1200-1400 watts as a maximum, so assuming around 24 50w bulbs will be acceptable (not all off one spur of course!).
5. Can I dim these lights easily? I am reading that you can only dim in steps rather than gradually and smoothly. can anyone recommend a good (and smart looking) dimmer with IR capability that can be used where there are multiple switches for one light and multiple switches on the same plate but controlling separate lights.
6. Should I reconsider and use low voltage - seems like a hassle with all the transformers and complications with dimming...
Think that is it for the time being...!
1. The lights are double insulated without an earth terminal. My method is to run a live and neutral off the main loop into a junction box, then split this into four or five live and neutrals, which I run to each light. Is this an acceptable method or should I use the 'daisy chain' method? I am a little concerned that I have one wire running off the loop that then splits into 5 - does this overload the wire?
2. Is there a safe limit to the length of the wires from the junction box to the lights?
3. Currently I do not have fire hoods, all the lights have a decent air space around them and there is no insulation material nearby. However, a few of the lights are close to the joists. The manufacturers installation instructions only refer to a minimum ceiling height, not distance from joists. Should I consider hoods, considering that the inside edge of the hood will also be quite close to the light and could result in it overheating and blowing more regularly.
4. Is there a limit to how many lights I can run off each loop. I have read that around 1200-1400 watts as a maximum, so assuming around 24 50w bulbs will be acceptable (not all off one spur of course!).
5. Can I dim these lights easily? I am reading that you can only dim in steps rather than gradually and smoothly. can anyone recommend a good (and smart looking) dimmer with IR capability that can be used where there are multiple switches for one light and multiple switches on the same plate but controlling separate lights.
6. Should I reconsider and use low voltage - seems like a hassle with all the transformers and complications with dimming...
Think that is it for the time being...!