Replacing ceiling rose with a spotlight in hallway, the cable entrance hole isnt bigger enough to fit a junction box into and no excess from above, any suggestions would be appreciated.
light fiiting
- Thread starter westhighland
- Start date
I'm not 100% sure on what the actual problem is but I'll take a guess anyway...
If the cables are just too short for the new fitting then you will need to extend them by means of:
1: insulated butt crimps applied using a calibrated ratchet crimper and then convering the whole joint with heatshrink tubing
2: terminal strip contained within a choc-block that as long as it is accessible when the light is removed can be pushed up into the ceiling void
3: replace the cable/s if it is possible to do so... (this is the best option)
Davy
If the cables are just too short for the new fitting then you will need to extend them by means of:
1: insulated butt crimps applied using a calibrated ratchet crimper and then convering the whole joint with heatshrink tubing
2: terminal strip contained within a choc-block that as long as it is accessible when the light is removed can be pushed up into the ceiling void
3: replace the cable/s if it is possible to do so... (this is the best option)
Davy
The hole's (cable entry) larger enough to push a terminal strip in the ceiling void but not a choc block, i'm trying not to enlarge the ceiling hole if poss, will the terminal strip alone surfise.
Unfortunately not, you will need to either replace the cable, use crimps or enlarge the hole in the ceiling. A terminal strip on its own will not be enough because it requires a level of insulation/protection and no, wrapping it in a dozen layers of insulating tape is not good enough and will just make a nasty mess and annoy the hell out of the next person who needs access to the terminals.
Crimps and heatshrink are probably the way to go
Thanks for the advice, will proceed to repair ceiling after enlarging, this diy stuff never ends ! 
NO!
screwed connections must be accessible for inspection so making the hole larger to get the joint in and then patching up afterwards is NOT acceptable.
If replacing the cable is not an option and you can't find a suitable enclosure small enough to fit through a hole that the fitting will hide then you will have to use crimped or soldered joints which do not need to be accessible for inspection.
screwed connections must be accessible for inspection so making the hole larger to get the joint in and then patching up afterwards is NOT acceptable.
If replacing the cable is not an option and you can't find a suitable enclosure small enough to fit through a hole that the fitting will hide then you will have to use crimped or soldered joints which do not need to be accessible for inspection.
"Accessible" Amen for sound advice.
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