changing ceiling lights

[gina1960uk]

Hi can anyone tell me if it's rocket science changing ceiling lights?

I'm quite good at jobs around the house but never changed ceiling lights.

I was told a while ago that it involves just 2 cables that you reconnect when refitting the lights, and that it doesn't matter how you connect them.

I've just read one of the posts about ceiling lights and 3 cables was mentioned. I haven't bought my lighting yet, SO DO THEY HAVE 3 CABLES?......confused!!

Is this correct?

Gina

[Catso]

If you mean changing the fitting on the ceiling (rather than the dangly bit) I don't think you are allowed to do this now. Some new building regulations came into force last year(?) and you aren't allowed to change any part of your house's fixed wiring (unless you're a properly qualified and approved electrician). Thank John Prescott for this worthwhile gem of legislation.

Look up Part P Building Regulations.

[Clanad]

A regulation prohibiting work such as this here in the U.S. would certainly spark a revolution (pun slightly intended.) If you find that you can do the work, this is one of the more simple tasks in DIY. If the fixture is controlled from only one switch and if your home is relatively new, there will be three cables to attach. First, the obvious advice to turn the electricity off at the circuit breaker/fuse box, not just the light switch. Remove the old fixture, under which you'll find the wires stuffed into a metal or plastic box about 4 inches square and perhaps 2 inches deep. Pull all this out carefully. If you were in the U.S. (some things, by design, just have to be similar), your new fixture would have three wires coming from the back, red (or black), white and green (or bare copper). Here, we would use "wire nuts" to connect the appropriate colored wires to the ones coming into the box. Sometimes the ground wire (the green or bare copper one) is attached to the metal box, but usually to its mate in the box. Carefully, fold the wires back into the box, attach the fixture and turn on the power at the circuit breaker and the the light switch, et voila! Best o' luck (but obey the local regulations)...

[raysparx]

Catso,hasn't got it quite correct if you are changing a light fitting that is ok to do yourself, when you undo the ceiling rose how many wires are there? if you post back I will tell you what to do, I will check back in a little while.

Part P is mainly to do with kichens, bathrooms, changing fuseboards, New circuits, Earthing etc:

[qapmoc]

The ceiling rose which is the part which is permanently screwed to the ceiling might have a variable number of wires permanently installed in it depending on how your house is wired, however there are only two wires which go from the ceiling rose to the actual light bulb itself.
Provided that you don't touch the ceiling rose permanent wiring you should only need to take out the two old wires and connect in your two new wires.

PLEASE remember to isolate the circuit before even thinking about touching it (Switch off the circuit breaker) and under no circumstances assume that if the wall switch is off it is safe to work on the wiring - IT IS NOT.

[gina1960uk]

Raysparx It will be a while yet before I attempt replacing my ceiling lights as I have yet to do some painting an decorating but I would be much obligued if you didn't mind me contacting you for help on my lights, It might not be for another 3 weeks..many thanks the more i get to learn the better.

Regards Gina

Ps; thanks to everyone else that has responded!

[raysparx]

Hi ,Gina, Hey good name for Kitchen units that,

Oh you have heard it before,sorry

Contact me by e-mail if you like I will try to guide you through it, [email protected]

Cheers, Ray

[Catso]

raysparx, I thought you weren't allowed to meddle with any fixed wiring now?