Lighting Wiring Conundrum

[charliegolf]

Hi All,

I have an IKEA pendant light fitting, intended to dangle down in a corner to replace a standard lamp. It's an aesthetic choice by her indoors. As with all IKEA lights, you get 'this week's' connection method- this one has L and N press fit connectors for the house supply to join the fitting.

There's a light fitting (downlighter BAS!) with in a foot, but I don't want it switched with those ceiling lights. What are my options? Could I:

1. Spur off a socket to a (suitably) fused switch unit; run 1mm^2 cable up and over and connect, thus using the switch on the FCU as 'the switch'. What do I do with the earth cable?

2. Flex up and over for the fitting, terminated in a plug from which I can use a remote as the on-off method?

3. Any other fixes. The light switches in the room(s) are 4m away approx.

Thanks.

PS I regard this as non-notifiable. Any dissenters?

 

[Blueflash]

Option 1 if you are not redecorating !

Dave,

ps 3a fuse in FCU

 

[charliegolf]

Cheers Dave, fuse rating noted.

 

[chivers67]

The light fitting that's close might already have a feed you could use if the light has somekind of switch? Otherwise an inline switch could be installed.

Regrding the Earth if it's not required sleeve it and tape it up so it could be used in futrue still.

 

[charliegolf]

The light fitting that's close might already have a feed you could use if the light has somekind of switch? Otherwise an inline switch could be installed.

Regrding the Earth if it's not required sleeve it and tape it up so it could be used in futrue still.

Cheers Chivers. Yes, the supply is close, and would be the easy option for supply, but getting a switch into it will (the fitting is a straight pendant) be as hard as Option 1, I think. I'm still going to have to get a cable down low out of sight.

But, you've made me think I can use the downlighter hole to feed the cable through

 

[dannyboi2003]

If you have a permanent live available at the downlight then use one of these to connect the new light:

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/QUR303.html

and one of these as the switch which can be installed alongside your existing light switch:

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/QUE11W.html

I've installed a few of these and have been very impressed, one got me out of a situation where a three way switch wasn't working for a landing light, one of the switch legs was broken and lifting carpet/floors wasn't possible so these were an ideal quick fix.

 

[charliegolf]

Brilliant! I'll have a look. I have a sinking feeling though, that the down light is fed from a jb where the ceiling rose used to be- in the middle of the ceiling!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

1. Spur off a socket to a (suitably) fused switch unit; run 1mm^2 cable up and over and connect, thus using the switch on the FCU as 'the switch'. What do I do with the earth cable?

2. Flex up and over for the fitting, terminated in a plug from which I can use a remote as the on-off method?

3. Any other fixes. The light switches in the room(s) are 4m away approx.

1 & 2: Do they involve cables coming from a socket, running in full view up to the ceiling where they enter the "rose" for the light?

3: Take it back?

ps 3a fuse in FCU

Someone will be along soon to unwantedly argue with that.

 

[charliegolf]

1 & 2: Do they involve cables coming from a socket, running in full view up to the ceiling where they enter the "rose" for the light?

3: Take it back?

No cables will be on show, they (like all of the cables in my house!) will be fed behind the plasterboard. Option one is spurred off a socket, option 2 is hidden flex with a plug on it at the bottom. Where I would plug it in! As you do with plugs. Your suggestion- why on earth would I return a light fitting I had chosen to do a specific job in my home?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

No cables will be on show, they (like all of the cables in my house!) will be fed behind the plasterboard.

Fair enough, but that wasn't at all clear from what you wrote

1. Spur off a socket to a (suitably) fused switch unit; run 1mm^2 cable up and over and connect, thus using the switch on the FCU as 'the switch'. What do I do with the earth cable?

2. Flex up and over for the fitting, terminated in a plug from which I can use a remote as the on-off method?

particularly as you used the same phrase, "up and over" to refer to flex with a plug on the end.

option 2 is hidden flex with a plug on it at the bottom. Where I would plug it in! As you do with plugs.

Yes, but flex emerging from a hole in a wall and plugging into a socket is horrible.

Your suggestion- why on earth would I return a light fitting I had chosen to do a specific job in my home?

Because from what you wrote it seemed as if you were struggling with the basics of wiring to a light fitting.