Industrial lighting for home use - UK

[Mark2469]

Is the advice I’ve been given correct? The existing lighting in my loft and garage is dark. In my daughter’s work they had some industrial lighting tubes in the warehouse that were no longer required, so she brought round 2 big light fittings. When I looked at the fittings, they seem to have 2.5 twin and earth armoured cable going into the fitting but my existing cabling in the loft and garage is 1.5 twin and earth (I think?). When I queried this, she asked a colleague (not sure if he’s an electrician) who had already fitted two lights in his garage and he said “The lights are standard 240v. There is a step down transformer in each unit providing 12v to the bulbs, so the existing 1.5 twin and earth will be fine”. Is this correct? Also, how do I open the silver brackets to get inside the unit? I’m thinking that I put a screwdriver in the clip under the circular hole. Thanks

 

[Mark2469]

Attached photos

 

[Spoon]

Is the advice I’ve been given correct? The existing lighting in my loft and garage is dark. In my daughter’s work they had some industrial lighting tubes in the warehouse that were no longer required, so she brought round 2 big light fittings. When I looked at the fittings, they seem to have 2.5 twin and earth armoured cable going into the fitting but my existing cabling in the loft and garage is 1.5 twin and earth (I think?). When I queried this, she asked a colleague (not sure if he’s an electrician) who had already fitted two lights in his garage and he said “The lights are standard 240v. There is a step down transformer in each unit providing 12v to the bulbs, so the existing 1.5 twin and earth will be fine”. Is this correct? Also, how do I open the silver brackets to get inside the unit? I’m thinking that I put a screwdriver in the clip under the circular hole. Thanks

Sounds about right, 1.5mm should be fine, depending on you are not intending to keep the same IP rating of the light, without fitting the correct gland.
What new light do you have?
Can you post some pics up? Then we may be able to help with the 'silver bracket'

 

[snowhead]

The "silver brackets " release from the diffuser (clear) side.
Your picture shows the hinge pin.

 

[Spoon]

Sorry, I didn't see the pics you posted in your second post. I just thought it was an advert and ignored it... We have adverts shuck in between posts that look like your post. ?

 

[DefyG]

1-1.5 sq mm cable will be fine.
The diffuser clips should just flick down to open (Finger pressure usually)
Recommend a compression gland with oval grommet if using flat twin and earth which should be ok temp wise in an attic.
The fittings will have a 12v led driver inside, which to all intents and purposes 'steps the voltage down' but also rectifies to DC.

 

[Mark2469]

Is the attached photo a compression gland? If not what is it and what is it's purpose. Two replies have mentioned this, so it seems to be important. Only one of these came with it, so do I need only two? One light in the loft and one in the garage. Thanks

 

[Alex W]

Is the attached photo a compression gland? If not what is it and what is it's purpose. Two replies have mentioned this, so it seems to be important. Only one of these came with it, so do I need only two? One light in the loft and one in the garage. Thanks

That is a CW SWA Gland, the gland you need is a "Compression Gland for Flat Cable". They can be bought very cheaply from your local electrical wholesaler or any other DIY Shop, they should look like this:

You can take the old metal SWA Gland out, replace it with one of these and just feed the 1/1.5mm twin and earth in thru the hole.

 

[Mark2469]

That's brilliant. Thank you all for the advice. I will fit these tomorrow. Many thanks.