existing light (four wires) into new Led light

[danq39]

Hi

I've got three lights in my hallway that I'm changing to a LED light fitting - they are all controlled by two separate switches. I've done two, but I'm stuck on the third one. The first light had one of each earth, L & N, and the second light had two of each (which I've squeezed in the connector block) but as you can see the last one, there's a lot more going on! is it a fairly easy job or do I need to call someone in for it?



Cheers!

 

[littlespark]

It’s called “loop in” or “3 plate” wiring.

The middle browns are permanently live…. Don’t do anything without isolating the circuit.

 

[danq39]

It’s called “loop in” or “3 plate” wiring.

The middle browns are permanently live…. Don’t do anything without isolating the circuit.

Thanks! All isolated.. will I need a junction box to get them into the new fitting? There's not a great deal of space..

 

[brianmoooore]

It’s called “loop in” or “3 plate” wiring.

But with an added twist. It looks like there's a second light (or more) controlled by the same switch. This is probably the brown sleeved brown wire and whatever blue and bare cpc goes into the same cable.

 

[danq39]

But with an added twist. It looks like there's a second light (or more) controlled by the same switch. This is probably the brown sleeved brown wire and whatever blue and bare cpc goes into the same cable.

Yes.. there are three lights in the hallway and two switches to control them!

 

[brianmoooore]

In that case, it could have been far worse. The strappers for the two way switching could have been brought into the rose as well, which would have been four extra wires to join, plus an extra cpc.

 

[danq39]

In that case, it could have been far worse. The strappers for the two way switching could have been brought into the rose as well, which would have been four extra wires to join, plus an extra cpc.

What would you say is the best way to go about things?

 

[Jock from the north]

Yes.. there are three lights in the hallway and two switches to control them!

If there was access above the light ie a junction box then that would be the best option and just take down your sw live ,neutral and earth .if there's no access you would have to cut a hole behind light for a jb to fit thru which then makes jb pretty much non accessible. A larger hole could be bored in fitting say 25mm with a pvc grommet to protect against sharp edges and then try find the flattest connectors, wagos etc and connect all the wires inside fitting .loop in method we're never designed for modern day led light fittings. Most of the time there Just shoved up in ceiling void in bare connectors with a piece of .75 flex comming back down.[don't do that lol]

 

[danq39]

If there was access above the light ie a junction box then that would be the best option and just take down your sw live ,neutral and earth .if there's no access you would have to cut a hole behind light for a jb to fit thru which then makes jb pretty much non accessible. A larger hole could be bored in fitting say 25mm with a pvc grommet to protect against sharp edges and then try find the flattest connectors, wagos etc and connect all the wires inside fitting .loop in method we're never designed for modern day led light fittings. Most of the time there Just shoved up in ceiling void in bare connectors with a piece of .75 flex comming back down.[don't do that lol]

Cheers Jock.. something like this?

https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/products/4304010-16a-downlighter-junction-box?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAyJS7BhBiEiwAyS9uNccUL0k2zLFctTEnLn4kgfJsjikV0Z05r1Scn2oWuA-D9MLQ9CoH_xoCCDgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Jock from the north]

Cheers Jock.. something like this?

https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/products/4304010-16a-downlighter-junction-box?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAyJS7BhBiEiwAyS9uNccUL0k2zLFctTEnLn4kgfJsjikV0Z05r1Scn2oWuA-D9MLQ9CoH_xoCCDgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Yeh the manufacturer states that there maintenance free so could be hidden above light if its your only option .I suppose removing the light would make it accessible in future if there was an issue .if you have access above a normal junction box would suffice

 

[westward10]

That isn't maintenance free.

 

[Jock from the north]

That isn't maintenance free.

Your right I just had a quick look at the link and assumed it was the maintenance free one ,my bad .

 

[Jock from the north]

That isn't maintenance free.

It's even got terminal screws

 

[brianmoooore]

If the hole in the ceiling is large enough to push the box through (and remove it), I would class it as accessible.

 

[Jock from the north]

Yeh the manufacturer states that there maintenance free so could be hidden above light if its your only option .I suppose removing the light would make it accessible in future if there was an issue .if you have access above a normal junction box

Cheers Jock.. something like this?

https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/products/4304010-16a-downlighter-junction-box?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAyJS7BhBiEiwAyS9uNccUL0k2zLFctTEnLn4kgfJsjikV0Z05r1Scn2oWuA-D9MLQ9CoH_xoCCDgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Sorry I never had a proper look at link if it's hidden it would have to be the maintenance free one it has spring fit terminals that supposidly don't slaken over time .but if its accessible that one would do .my apologies I should have paid more attention to link

 

[Jock from the north]

If the hole in the ceiling is large enough to push the box through (and remove it), I would class it as accessible.

I guess anyone looking for a fault would guess there is a jb above light

 

[brianmoooore]

There's plenty of flat area inside that fitting to write "Remove to access JB above" in permanent marker.

 

[westward10]

Plenty of room to tidily fit some Wagos.

 

[brianmoooore]

Plenty of room to tidily fit some Wagos.

There is, but there isn't room to get the four cables through the existing cable entry, so the fitting will need modifying, and that opens up a whole another can of worms.
Three lights suggests a fairly long corridor, with similarly long strappers for the two way switching, so plenty of capacitance between them. I won't be surprised if the OP comes back with a question along the lines of "how can I stop my corridor lights glowing when off/doing disco light impressions?"

 

[danq39]

I'll try one of these maintenance free boxes.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/wago-41a-junction-box-39-x-108-x-44mm-grey/7355F?tc=AA6&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA65m7BhAwEiwAAgu4JLrnLs35l_bzxIV_Evi_s6_t4oWOGF2jmDGbtwoRPus3KbGCeLG0zBoC65sQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds