Running cable for additional ceiling light

[AP77]

Hi,

I have a badly lit 'L' shape hallway with one ceiling rose. I am hoping to add two additional ceiling lights (effectively at the top and bottom of the 'L').

As far as I can tell one of the new light positions would not need to cross any joists. If I make a hole in the ceiling for this new light, is it ok just to run the cable loose across the ceiling void? Distance between the lights would be about 2 metres.

For the other new light I guess the only way is to lift the floor board so I can channel through any joists as I think cutting into the ceiling would be too disruptive.

Thanks.

 

[Iggifer]

You might struggle to push the cable on it's down a ceiling void (which is fine - not ideal but it's oft done) you'd need something like cable rods, or a piece of small trunking lid to push the cable down to your desired position.

You might also struggle to get it out from a hole that's covered by the new light fitting - you'll either need to lift one board above the new position or drill a bigger hole and then replace the cut-out and fill/sand/paint

 

[AP77]

Great thanks.

So in summary, it is ok to lay cable loose across the concealed side of the ceiling without attaching to anything, eg joists?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Show me a house which doesn't have that....

 

[Iggifer]

Show me a house which doesn't have that....

I suspect @RF Lighting's house does not have cables lashed across plasterboard, but beyond that.....

 

[SUNRAY]

Not only cables, this is a new heating system. OK this part is on the concrete floor under kitchen units but upstairs it's just as OP describes.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I suspect @RF Lighting's house does not have cables lashed across plasterboard, but beyond that.....

I must admit that I have in places tidied mine onto cable tray supported on mini joist hangers.

 

[AP77]

Thanks to all.

I'm sure this is now stating the obvious, but I guess it's correct to say when running cables:

1) up and down walls, you should run them vertically or in an 'L' shape
2) across ceiling voids, you can lay them loose, in any direction and they don't need to be attached to anything.

Really appreciate the clarification, thanks.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

1) up and down walls, you should run them vertically or in an 'L' shape

There's a bit more to it than that. https://www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:walls

2) across ceiling voids, you can lay them loose, in any direction and they don't need to be attached to anything.

You can, and they don't.

If you have access during installation you can clip them to joists where they run in the same direction, and if you want to support them where they run at right angles you can use mini-joist hangers and short lengths of cable tray.

 

[rsgaz]

Wrong link Mr sheds.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Oh poo.

Now fixed - thanks for the alert.