How to wire spotlights Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[HilaryN]

I want to put in 3 spotlights with 1 switch.

How do I wire this?

My thought is a junction box with:

1.Cable from previous ceiling rose on circuit
2.Cable to next ceiling rose
3.Cable to switch
4.Cable to 1st spotlight.

Then connect 2nd spotlight to 1st, 3rd spotlight to 2nd. Finish at 3rd spotlight with nothing else connected to it.

Is that the normal / correct / best way to do it?

[BLAKEY1963]

[quote="HilaryN"]I want to put in 3 spotlights with 1 switch.

How do I wire this?

My thought is a junction box with:

1.Cable from previous ceiling rose on circuit
2.Cable to next ceiling rose
3.Cable to switch
4.Cable to 1st spotlight.

Then connect 2nd spotlight to 1st, 3rd spotlight to 2nd. Finish at 3rd spotlight with nothing else connected to it.

Is that the normal / correct / best way to do it?[/quote]

HilaryN
WHICH room do u intend 2 fit these lights ?
BLAKEY1963

[HilaryN]

In the living room. We're actually putting in a new lighting circuit - part of long-term plan to re-wire the whole house.

Building Control have been notified and done a prelim inspection to check the correct-sized cables used for lighting and sockets.

No transformer is needed for the spotlights.

[HilaryN]

I'd still love an answer to this if anyone can help me out?

[kbrownie]

take live(brown),neutral(blue) and earth(green/yellow) conductor from previous light fitting to new spots.
and then take Twin and Earth from switch, this are switch wires and both considered live so blue is not a neutral.
At the switch connect brown to com/L terminal blue to L1(this cable should be sleeved with brown insulation) and earth to earth(sleeve bare copper yellow/green).
Then at first fitting connect the two live(brown cables) one from switch and one from previous light together in seperate plastic connection block with nothing else.
then sleeve the blue cable from switch with brown insulation sleeve to indentify it as switch wire and not a neutral.
This will then be connected to the live terminal on light fitting, the blue neutral from previous light will then be connect to neutral terminal on fitting and the two earth cables to earth terminal.
Your first light will now work.
So to connect the other two spots we string a twin and earth cable across first spot light to second spot light connecting the blue cable ends to neutral terminal and the brown cable ends two the live terminals and earth to earth on both fittings and repeat that from second to third fitting.
Remember to sleeve the bare earth cables with yellow and green sleeve.
This is considered non notifiable work but must still have a minor works certificate to be signed off.
Hope info was help.
KB

[HilaryN]

Many thanks for your reply, KB.

You've described how to connect from the previous light, and I think I follow that (except there don't seem to be any earth terminals in the spotlight fittings).

How would I continue the circuit to the next light on the lighting circuit after the spots (e.g. the next ceiling rose)?

(I'll be getting everything checked out by a professional before going live, but I'd love to be able to do as much of the wiring as I can myself beforehand.)

[kbrownie]

Some fitting don't require an earth connection, these fittings are know as double insulated and should have a symbol that shows a square inside a square.
Google "en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_insulated#Class_II"

I would still run the CPC(circuit protective conductor, commonly called earth but it's really not an earth) and fix in terminal block and pop up in ceiling void to keep continuty, your next fitting may require a cpc.
Google "tlc-direct.co.uk/Book/5.4.2.htm"

To continue the circuit it's simple just repeat my previous instruction regarding the previous light to the first spot and switch.
https://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/li ... itches.htm
Follow the links for more information.
Be sure to contact building controls or get a competent scheme registered electrician involved
Google "competentperson.co.uk/"

I've left some links that will be useful to you
KB

[HilaryN]

Many thanks, KB, I'll have a read through those links.

H

[moggy1968]

are you sure these aren't low voltage spots?

[kbrownie]

[quote="moggy1968"]are you sure these aren't low voltage spots?[/quote]

Andy! low voltage or ELV?

[moggy1968]

Doh!!
sorry, SELV!
I have flagellated myself!