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  • Another lighting question -

    I want to install a new pendent ceiling light to replace an already installed pendent and I’m trying to work out of its a DIY job or try to find someone to do it.

    The photo is what I see when I unscrew the plastic cover on the current pendent. The instructions on the new light say that no Earth must be attached and it has a junction box with just Live and Neutral terminals. So is it a case of removing this entire assembly, wiring the Live and Neutrals to the other end of the junction box and then what with the Earth?


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  • You have (I think) three cables coming in there, one for the supply coming in, one taking the supply to the next light in the house and one going off to the switch (and back). This is standard in the UK but not done in many other countries, and your instructions are written assuming the latter - i.e. that all of this complexity happens somewhere else and you only have simple connections for the light in the ceiling.

    You need to recreate all of those connections if you want the switch and the other lights in the house to work. So your options are either to wedge some extra connectors in the base of the other light, or reuse this base.

  • It has a junction box with just Live and Neutral terminals

    Seems a bit weird, you’ll generally need a loop in section to wire the switch into the live, unless it’s expecting this to be done before it gets to the light?

    You got a picture?

    There generally isn’t an earth on the actual light cable (if it’s a plastic fixture), but the others in the ring/switch lines definitely need to be earthed

  • That's what's known as 3 plate wiring (or loop in), see https://www.diynot.com/wiki/Electrics:Lighting-Circuit-layouts . If you want to convert to a class 2 light fixture (i.e. double insulated so no earth required) which doesn't use the traditional ceiling rose then I think the easiest and safest option for a DIY-er is to use a Quickwire junction box (https://www.quickwire.co.uk/product/switch-load-16a/) to move all the connections up into the ceiling void and then just run a bit of twin and earth down into the new light fixture (obviously the earth core will be left unused). The Quickwire is much more expensive than a choc box or equivalent but it's a doddle to use and provides a maintenance free connection which is technically possibly required in this application. This is what I did when swapping our ceiling light fixtures. However, obviously if you're not confident/comfortable working with mains electrics then get a pro in.

    Edit: exactly this: https://youtube.com/shorts/n36nVG8l8RE?si=JjeaMtZETe6YBGFf

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