Neptune

DIY
Mar 21, 2021
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For various reasons out of my control, we have wound up in a situation where we have 1.5mm SWA cables buried in these pillars and exiting out of the plastic housing for the wall lights.
pillar.png


There are around 5 of these lights across the 5 pillars. Daisy chained with the 3 core SWA. As you can see, the wall ha snow bene plastered and finished. The house-end of this cable will be glanded into a Wiska box and punched into the house to connect to a Switched FCU.

The plastic housing set in the pillar is only deep enough to take the light!

light.png
The back of the plastic box has some screw holes for the light to fix to.

I am at a loss as to how I get these cables connected to the lights given the lack of space and hence, inability to gland these ends. If this were regular T&E it wouldn't have been an issue - from a space and connectivity point at least!

Can I please have some creative suggestions on how I get myself out of a hole. Thanks in advance.
 
Is there any space at all between the backbox and the body of the light?
 
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Is there any space at all between the backbox and the body of the light?
Maybe 10mm (probably a bit less) as the plaster had been added to the wall which means the light will be sitting a bit proud.
 
What about brick sized surface lights you can get? You could then perhaps use a slim wiska box to loop in and out your swa tucked into those recesses, and flex to the light and put it over it. This kinda thing... ive used better looking ones before, i forget where from
 

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What about brick sized surface lights you can get? You could then perhaps use a slim wiska box to loop in and out your swa tucked into those recesses, and flex to the light and put it over it.
I did contemplate that. We now have 5 of the recessed lights which weren’t particularly cheap and can’t be returned as I have used the back box…
I did like the idea of recessed lights.
 
Can’t be done properly like that unfortunately.
 
Chase out a hole in the pillar behind the light fitting, deep enough for a Wiska box plus SWA glands?
 
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Chase out a hole in the pillar behind the light fitting, deep enough for a Wiska box plus SWA glands?
There is some space behind this plastic housing but I’m thinking, it’s going to be awkward to hollow out and how will I then work with the cable in he space behind there?

Also, is there a more compact option than then gland and wiska box as that may squeeze in behind the plastic housing?

Thanks for your help.
 
Hi mate, have you changed planet?
 
Well that's a beautiful bit of bad project management isn't it!

Get whoever decided to get it rendered before 1st fix was finished to hack the render off the pillar so it can be 1st fixed properly and then re-rendered.
 
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What about brick sized surface lights you can get? You could then perhaps use a slim wiska box to loop in and out your swa tucked into those recesses, and flex to the light and put it over it. This kinda thing... ive used better looking ones before, i forget where from
I have been reflecting on this and this is probably my best option. New surface lights can be very slim and not the bulkheads I initially had in my mind when considering this option. There also reasonably priced. Something like this may be:

Does the housing space give me enough room for a mini wiska and 2 regular glands in your view?
 
The depth of that one you linked to is 7cm, according to the specs. What is the depth of the one you have?
Also, it states it uses a 60W SES lamp which may not be ideal.
 
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I did contemplate that. We now have 5 of the recessed lights which weren’t particularly cheap and can’t be returned as I have used the back box…
I did like the idea of recessed lights.
These can be had for sub £10 each, the ones i used were about 10mm deep thats all so barely stood off. Thats
I have been reflecting on this and this is probably my best option. New surface lights can be very slim and not the bulkheads I initially had in my mind when considering this option. There also reasonably priced. Something like this may be:

Does the housing space give me enough room for a mini wiska and 2 regular glands in your view?

Just compare depth of those wiska boxs with what youve got in the wall, looks deep enough from photos, it's going to be fiddly but looks doable.
I have been reflecting on this and this is probably my best option. New surface lights can be very slim and not the bulkheads I initially had in my mind when considering this option. There also reasonably priced. Something like this may be:

Does the housing space give me enough room for a mini wiska and 2 regular glands in your view?
This is a recessed fitting like you have already, cpc sell theirs or the eterna ones arent too bad, id think the wiska box will fit, measure the depth you have
 
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Just compare depth of those wiska boxs with what youve got in the wall, looks deep enough from photos, it's going to be fiddly but looks doable.

The plastic housing is a brick's width/height and 7.5cm deep.
A mini wiska box is 64mm deep/high.

This doesn't leave enough room for the SWA glands if I try to insert them from the same end. Am I missing something?
 
The plastic housing is a brick's width/height and 7.5cm deep.
A mini wiska box is 64mm deep/high.

This doesn't leave enough room for the SWA glands if I try to insert them from the same end. Am I missing something?
In one end out the other, and use the brass single earth bars to pick up the armouring, probably dont need cw glands if you seal the light infront of it
 
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In one end out the other, and use the brass single earth bars to pick up the armouring, probably dont need cw glands if you seal the light infront of it
Appreciate your help with this.
What can I use instead of the CW Glands as they are too chunky and wont fit in the space available?
 

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If you're a qualified, trainee, or retired electrician - Which country is it that your work will be / is / was aimed at?
United Kingdom
What type of forum member are you?
DIY or Homeowner (Perhaps seeking pro advice, or an electrician)

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Brick wall lights - SWA cable connections
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