Lighting circuit spurs

[EvilDonut]

Is it better to wire all light fixtures sequentially in series, or is it acceptable practice to use JBs to create spurs?

Specifically, if my bathroom downlights are served by a spur off a junction box in the upstairs light circuit, does that sound ok?

As far as I can tell it may just make it slightly more effort to test, but is otherwise ok. Will make the wiring easier as I want to install the bathroom lights at a later date than the rest of the lighting.

 

[JohnW2]

Is it better to wire all light fixtures sequentially in series, or is it acceptable practice to use JBs to create spurs?

There are often branches in lighting circuits, and that is acceptable. It would be nicer to do it without using JBs, but one would probably struggle to get the required number of cables/conductors into a standard ceiling rose or equivalent.

Bear in mind that (a) any junction boxes which are not 'accessible' (e.g. above ceilings, below floors) have to be of a 'maintenance free' type and (b) that all circuits supplying a bathroom must be RCD-protected. ... also (c) in the unlikely event that your bathroom ceiling was less than 2.25m above floor level, installing ceiling lights in certain places in the bathroom (essentially near to bath/shower) would be 'notifiable' work, probably meaning that it would not be cost-effective to DIY it.

Kind Regards, John

 

[EvilDonut]

Ok.

I'd bought a load of Wago boxes and connectors for those purposes as those are classed as maintenance-free.

The whole lighting circuit will be RCD protected so that's no problem.

Will try to use the first downlighter as the junction then, if I can fit 1 extra conductor in its terminals

Thanks!

 

[Iggifer]

If you can't fit two cables in the downlight - you've bought the wrong downlights

 

[JohnW2]

I'd bought a load of Wago boxes and connectors for those purposes as those are classed as maintenance-free.

Wago certainly believe that they are MF if used in combinations they approve.

Will try to use the first downlighter as the junction then, if I can fit 1 extra conductor in its terminals

If you could fit all required conductors into one light, you presumably could with the others - in which case you might well need few, if any, JBs.

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnW2]

If you can't fit two cables in the downlight - you've bought the wrong downlights

It would be three cables in some cases if he is 'branching'.

Kind Regards, John

 

[Iggifer]

Yea in that case he might be struggling. Wouldn't be a problem in Click Inceptors or Aurora M5/10's etc but a standard robus would be a push with 1.5

 

[EFLImpudence]

...and however it is done the lights will be in parallel - not series.

 

[JohnW2]

...and however it is done the lights will be in parallel - not series.

Indeed, but "we knew what he meant"

Kind Regards, John

 

[Simon35]

Indeed, but "we knew what he meant"

Kind Regards, John

I'm not sure he did, and he's designing the installation.

 

[Collectors]

We often on larger jobs 2 plated everything, running live & neutral in & out of the switches & a 3 core & earth to each light. We was covered for most eventuality's. We would also fit 35mm boxes every ware. This made fitting light fittings so much easier with just one cable.

 

[Jurassicspark]

This thread isn't a collectors item.