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Putting new light up in the attic

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OK this is my second job for the week.

I want to put a new light up in the attic. I think this is pretty straight forward and I just want to check over a few things first.

1) First I get a junction box and split into an existing light circuit? YES/NO

2) I then install a switch (Was thinking the pull cord type) and place it between the JB and the new light. YES/NO

3) Get a new ceiling rose and place it at the top of the trusses?

Anyone got a wiring diagram for this or is it just RED/BLACK from JB to switch then RED/BLACK from switch into ceiling rose?

Many thanks in advance.
 
1) First I get a junction box and split into an existing light circuit? YES/NO
Yup, unless you can find an existing one to use.


2) I then install a switch (Was thinking the pull cord type) and place it between the JB and the new light. YES/NO
Yup.


3) Get a new ceiling rose and place it at the top of the trusses?
Wherever you want the light(s) to be.


Anyone got a wiring diagram for this or is it just RED/BLACK from JB to switch then RED/BLACK from switch into ceiling rose?
Yup, although obviously the black cores do not connect to the switch terminals unless it's a double pole one.

If you buy new cable it'll be brown/blue not red/black, so you'll need to get a mixed-colours warning notice for your CU.
 
1) First I get a junction box and split into an existing light circuit? YES/NO
Yup, unless you can find an existing one to use.


2) I then install a switch (Was thinking the pull cord type) and place it between the JB and the new light. YES/NO
Yup.


3) Get a new ceiling rose and place it at the top of the trusses?
Wherever you want the light(s) to be.


Anyone got a wiring diagram for this or is it just RED/BLACK from JB to switch then RED/BLACK from switch into ceiling rose?
Yup, although obviously the black cores do not connect to the switch terminals unless it's a double pole one.[/i]

If you buy new cable it'll be brown/blue not red/black, so you'll need to get a mixed-colours warning notice for your CU.


Thank you for your reply.

What do you mean by this? I think the old cable is red/black and the new one is brown/blue like you said.

Sorry to for sounding stupid but what does CU stand for?
 
If you had a torch bulb, and a battery, and some pieces of wire, how would you connect it up to make the bulb light up?

If you then wanted a switch in the circuit so you could turn the bulb on and off, what do you think that switch would be doing inside?
 
OK. Been to B&Q at lunch and got what I think is the right bots for the job.

I got a 20A Junction box with 4 terminals is this correct?

I got a single 2WAY lightswitch is this correct? Please dont tell me I need the 1WAY as i was going to get it!
 
1way or 2way will be fine. on a 2way you'll have a redundant terminal. not a problem.
 
1way or 2way will be fine. on a 2way you'll have a redundant terminal. not a problem.

Cheers Steve. Is this the case with the 4 terminal Junction box?

On my switch I have COMMON , 1 WAY & 2 WAY. When I split my cable from the JB what colours go where? (Brown/Blue) then I take the cable from the switch to the bulb holder right?

Reall appreciate your help here.
 
Mr Happy, think about a basic bulb, battery and switch.

You have the switch wired to break the circuit on the live. The negative (neutral) doesnt connect to the switch.

All a household lightswitch does is break the live. You connect the lives to COM and L1 (it matters not which way, you can even use L2 instead of L1 if you're feeling adventurous). Theres no magic in there, its just a contact. You connect your neutrals together with a terminal block.

And you'll only use three terminals in your JB - live neutral and earth.
 
Mr Happy, think about a basic bulb, battery and switch.

You have the switch wired to break the circuit on the live. The negative (neutral) doesnt connect to the switch.

All a household lightswitch does is break the live. You connect the lives to COM and L1 (it matters not which way, you can even use L2 instead of L1 if you're feeling adventurous). Theres no magic in there, its just a contact. You connect your neutrals together with a terminal block.

And you'll only use three terminals in your JB - live neutral and earth.

Cheers Steve.

I am using a plastic light switch and back box so do I not need to earth it at the switch? Just run the earth straight to the bulb is that correct?

In the bulb I have 8 holes (3 live 3 N and 2 Earth) does it matter which of these holes I put my L, N & E Wire into?

Thanks again.
 

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