First fix downlights - junction box?

[mattm123]

Hi

I'm putting in the first fix wiring for my kitchen, the plan is to have a run of 9 or so downlights going around the worktop areas.

I'm planning on using 240V spots and am wondering how best to do the first fix.

The wiring is standard with spots will be daisy chained off a "master" spot supplied with neutral and switched live .

Normally to get a switched live from the lighting circuit i'd put in a 4 way juntion box or do it on a ceiling rose but spots dont't have a rose and i'm not going to be able to get a junction box into the ceiling after plastering has been done.

So does this mean i need to wire up a junction box and put it in the ceiling before i plasterboard? or do you use some nasty choc block things?

Any thoughts?

 

[Belboz]

One of the experts on here will better advise you but AFAIK you cannot use junction boxes where they will not be accessible. You need to use maintenance free kit.

I think any normal screw connector j/b needs to be accessible but using maintenance-free connectors is permitted.

 

[wingcoax]

You will have holes where the down lights are fitted, you can use small junction boxes that will fit through the holes.

 

[wingcoax]

deleted (double post)

 

[mattm123]

i hadn't realised you could get these
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/ASJ804.html

I guess that's what i use

thanks
M

 

[wingcoax]

Not really neccessary, the 5A round ones will do (and cheaper) as they are accessible when light fitting removed.

 

[Belboz]

As wingcoax advises, the small 5A j/bs are cheaper but assess suitablility by taking into account its size against the cutout plus any additional width you will need.

 

[JohnW2]

Not really neccessary, the 5A round ones will do (and cheaper) as they are accessible when light fitting removed.

... but, if they are left lying loose (such that they can be accessed through the hole), they have no cable restraint/ strain relief. The only way in which 'traditional' JBs should be used is by screwing them to joists (or whatever) and also clipping the cables to the joists (or whatever).

Kind Regards, John

 

[davelx]

Not really neccessary, the 5A round ones will do (and cheaper) as they are accessible when light fitting removed.

... but, if they are left lying loose (such that they can be accessed through the hole), they have no cable restraint/ strain relief. The only way in which 'traditional' JBs should be used is by screwing them to joists (or whatever) and also clipping the cables to the joists (or whatever).

Kind Regards, John

These should be suitable (they have strain relief and are designed for this purpose):

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/ASJ501.html

They're not MF, but they should fit through the hole cut for the downlight and would be accessible with the fitting removed.

 

[mattm123]

brilliatnt!

As always someone else has had the same problems and someone else has made something to get around it!

Thanks all

M

 

[JohnW2]

These should be suitable (they have strain relief and are designed for this purpose): http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/ASJ501.html ... They're not MF, but they should fit through the hole cut for the downlight and would be accessible with the fitting removed.

Yep, they're fine - and, as you say, 'designed for the job'.

Kind Regards, John