Best Way to Add a Light in the Loft

[am549]

I've got a new build property and it looks like the electrician has left some wiring in the loft ready for a plug socket to be installed (2.5mm twin and earth cable). I'm assuming it's for a plug socket due to the cable size and that it's not wired into any of the lighting circuits (checked by switching off all the lighting circuits and the cable was still live according to my voltage pen).
What would be the best way to wire in a light? I've got some 1.0mm twin and earth cable which I'd like to use so my thought was this:
Install double socket off the current cable
Use the 1.0mm twin and earth to wire a pendant into a 3 pin plug with a 5amp fuse installed and plug it into the above.

Based on the above, would I be able to wire the plug into a junction box in order to feed 2 pendants? Thanks

 

[westward10]

If it is a new build it most definitely is under their remit. Post a pic of the cable and ask them if it is safe as you intend to move it or cut it off, they will probably be round quite quickly.

 

[am549]

If it is a new build it most definitely is under their remit. Post a pic of the cable and ask them if it is safe as you intend to move it or cut it off, they will probably be round quite quickly.

Surely all they’ll do is safely terminate it? It’s unlikely that they’ll install a light or a socket to sort it?

 

[HandySparks]

Surely all they’ll do is safely terminate it? It’s unlikely that they’ll install a light or a socket to sort it?

Depends on what the original spec for the wiring called for. I'd have a word with the neighbours and find out if they have a light and/or socket in the loft. Then push for the same.

 

[westward10]

Depends on what the original spec for the wiring called for. I'd have a word with the neighbours and find out if they have a light and/or socket in the loft. Then push for the same.

This is exactly what I suggested in #27.

 

[ipf]

If you tell those responsible for the balls up, I'm sure they'll stretch to a new socket and lighting point....with a bit of a 'reporting' threat, if not.
In the mean time, you could use your 'pen' to label the cable as 'live'
....if it really is, that is.

 

[7029 dave]

New build, exposed live circuit.? IMO get the developer round to make safe, then hit him with it, fit a light in me loft an we will call it quits.

 

[shaun1]

I would reccomend getting a flourescent tube, or even better an LED equivelent, to install. It costs a bit more but you will have much better light up there. It might be worth buying one, and an FCU, and maybe even fitting it in the loft. That way when the electrician turns up, all he has to do is wire it in.

If you wanted the socket as well, that makes it slightly more complicated, as it is only permissible to have 1 accesory on a spur unless it is protected by a fuse. Although I wonder, as a double socket is permisable, Is a single socket and an FCU?

 

[Octopus]

Although I wonder, as a double socket is permisable, Is a single socket and an FCU?

In a word - no.

 

[shaun1]

In a word - no.

I didn't think it would be permissable. But in this situation a single socket and a light through a 3a FCU would have a much smaller load than some double sockets could be putting on a ring, and would be limited to 16A which is within the ccc of the cable. Its also far neater than an FCU to another FCU. Just a limitation of ring final circuits I guess.

 

[The Ghost]

The thing about a light in the loft is the switch for it. It has to be in one of two places, downstairs with say your hall light or just inside the loft hatch which means a switch wire has to be run as well as the supply. Could you be getting out of your depth? If its new build, must be under warranty. They have left an exposed live part (I know thats been beaten to death as a subject) the point being they are in serious trouble for such a lapse. I am sure they will spur the cable and run a switch for you for your silence. I would insist you want it in the upstairs hall much more convenient.

 

[Squid]

Sorry ;o)))))

 

[Squid]

As others have mentioned, check what the spec of the build was and that cable needs testing properly to see if it is "live" or a volt pen is giving off an spurious reading.

 

[am549]

Thanks for the advice everyone.
Waiting to see what next door have in theirs but did some more testing in an attempt to locate whether the wire is off the lighting ring or sockets.
After turning off everything upstairs (sockets and lights) the cable is dead. Turn sockets on and the voltage pen starts beeping so I’d like to think it’s wired into the upstairs ring. There is a beep with the lights on and sockets off but not as frequent as sockets only.
Having gone through the build spec and wiring diagram I’m not seeing anything relating to the loft. As all the aerial cables terminate up there I can only assume something was supposed to go in for a tv aerial and if necessary a booster which I guess would require a socket.
With regards to the light I wasn’t bothered about a switch as I was going to put a smart bulb up linked to a sensor on the loft hatch which turns the light on when open and off when shut.
Considering what’s been said on here if they sort things out to what I want then I’ll be happy, means it’s done properly (in theory...) and I’ve not had to do any of the work.

 

[westward10]

If that cable turns out to be live you want to kick up a serious fuss, the first thing to do is lodge an official complaint with the main contractor.

 

[PEG]

If that cable turns out to be live you want to kick up a serious fuss, the first thing to do is lodge an official complaint with the main contractor.

If that turns out to be Bovis...good luck

Was reading about an estate they "created",where several of the lucky purchasers,have been in temporary accommodation,for months,with some gold standard,monumental comedy legend errors and QC void construction.

Any one of the people concerned,with that development,would swap what they had,for a single dangly live...

 

[Bubba sparks]

If you tell those responsible for the balls up, I'm sure they'll stretch to a new socket and lighting point....with a bit of a 'reporting' threat, if not.
In the mean time, you could use your 'pen' to label the cable as 'live'
....if it really is, that is.

This is exactly what I was going to suggest!

 

[Squid]

If that cable turns out to be live you want to kick up a serious fuss, the first thing to do is lodge an official complaint with the main contractor.

Wonder errrr if the OP could mention that as he climbed in to the loft he was electrocuted................ to speed things up.

 

[westward10]

Wonder errrr if the OP could mention that as he claimed in to the loft he was electrocuted................ to speed things up.

It didn't like to say that if it is live, where there is blame there is a claim.

 

[Squid]

Deleted

 

[Squid]

It didn't like to say that if it is live, where there is blame there is a claim.

Just make it up and the builders electrician will be up in to the loft faster then a rat up a drainpipe sorting the work out, some companies need a gentle shove to sort things out pronto.

 

[rsgaz]

was electrocuted

I don't think they will believe him, he's still alive after all!!!

 

[Squid]

I don't think they will believe him, he's still alive after all!!!

Opportunity for the wife to throw him from the loft and claim in the life insurance..........

 

[am549]

Luckily she's not been here or probably would have!

Came this morning and all sorted, single socket and a light with no fuss. Quite surprised how easily he just did it actually!

 

[Squid]

Quite surprised how easily he just did it actually!

Can't have been anyone from here as there would have been a thread 10 pages long detailing the work and the issues and the fit wife........*



*I may have just made of all of that up.......

 

[DPG]

Glad to see a happy ending. And that's referring to the light, not the wife

 

[Dan91]

Who’s the contractor that carried out the electrical work?

You’ll probably find it’s suppose to be a loft socket or a feed for a solar pv install.

 

[Dan91]

If you don’t use the 2.5mm cable, you could come of the fan isolators above the bathroom door in the new builds?

 

[w0z]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

With regards to the light I wasn’t bothered about a switch as I was going to put a smart bulb up linked to a sensor on the loft hatch which turns the light on when open and off when shut.

So next time you're up in the loft and the smart light goes out, you can stumble your way back in the dark falling through the ceiling on your way.(assuming you don't panic and freeze...). Fit a switch.

 

[Squid]

So next time you're up in the loft and the smart light goes out, you can stumble your way back in the dark falling through the ceiling on your way.(assuming you don't panic and freeze...). Fit a switch.

New build lofts are usually so built that you can't stand up in the damn thing........ and I think the light shining through the gapping hole in the floor should give the OP a clue as to where the opening is.