Light Fitting Change Question

[Jone90]

Hi Everyone,
Looking to work out whether I should attempt to change 2 ceiling light fittings or if I should get a professional in.

I have old wiring on the 2 lights in question as shown here and looking to swap for ceiling mounted metal fittings that have up to date wiring etc.

First question, is there an issue using metal light fittings with wiring set up in this way?

Second, is it an easy job wiring up to a more modern light fitting? And safe enough for me to have a go at.

Thanks all!

 

[Scally-Ho]

Metal luminaires should be earthed and that cable has the earth as the bare conductor. So, IMO, if you feel confident enough to have a go, turn the power off and try.

 

[ETAF]

on the 2nd picture where is the earth - bare wire going

would be worth checking if the earth is really earthed

you need to add yellow/green sleeving to the earth

looks straight forward as all the junctions must be else where

 

[pete01]

Well you have an earth wire so should be fine (might need testing to make sure its connected to earth)

Yes it's simple, power off and live, neutral, earth

 

[Mottie]

That’s how all my ceiling lights are. All my ceiling roses are either under the upstairs floorboards or in the loft with just the live, neutral and earth wire coming through the ceiling.

 

[pete01]

That’s how all my ceiling lights are. All my ceiling roses are either under the upstairs floorboards or in the loft with just the live, neutral and earth wire coming through the ceiling.

You might have all the gubbins at the switch instead of at the light....maybe

 

[Mottie]

You might have all the gubbins at the switch instead of at the light....maybe

No. They are all definitely in the ceiling roses under the upstairs floorboards or in the loft. There’s no way/no room to get all those wires under the light fitting.

 

[Scally-Ho]

Are they actual ceiling roses or round junction boxes?

 

[Mottie]

Are they actual ceiling roses or round junction boxes?

My ones are actual ceiling roses and I just have the wire that would go to a bayonet fitting coming through the ceilings. Probably breaking some technical rule but they’ve worked for me in this house since 1990.

 

[Scally-Ho]

I know of no regulation that says a rose cannot be used as a junction box, its just new to me and probably done by a previous occupant who was a bit of a chancer.

 

[Taylortwocities]

I know of no regulation that says a rose cannot be used as a junction box, its just new to me and probably done by a previous occupant who was a bit of a chancer.

I do. The ceiling rose is designed to be screwed securely to something (usually the ceiling).
The cables, of course should be securely clipped to backgrounds.

Why? Because the ceiling rose has no cable restraints or other clamps that prevent cables being yanked out.
The same goes for those round junction boxes.

PLUS all of the above have screw terminals and these are not permitted unless tha junction is accessible (which a ceiling rose would be, if it were in the proper place - on the ceiling).

Under the floorboards is NOT accessible. To comply with regulations these must be a maintenance free certified junction box.
So thats probably three broken regulations right there.

 

[pete01]

I do. The ceiling rose is designed to be screwed securely to something (usually the ceiling).
The cables, of course should be securely clipped to backgrounds.

Why? Because the ceiling rose has no cable restraints or other clamps that prevent cables being yanked out.
The same goes for those round junction boxes.

PLUS all of the above have screw terminals and these are not permitted unless tha junction is accessible (which a ceiling rose would be, if it were in the proper place - on the ceiling).

Under the floorboards is NOT accessible. To comply with regulations these must be a maintenance free certified junction box.
So thats probably three broken regulations right there.

Remove the light fitting and you can access it....probably

 

[Taylortwocities]

Remove the light fitting and you can access it....probably

How?

They are all definitely under the upstairs floorboards.....

 

[pete01]

How?

I thought he meant directly above the fitting, maybe not

 

[Taylortwocities]

I thought he meant directly above the fitting, maybe not

Would have to be a big hole to be able to pull a whole ceiling rose through. But is supposed to be screwed down, so you shouldnt be able to pull it through.
I'm wearing my favourite pedant's hat today. It's wide brimmed and shields me from the heat.