Loft light; confusion with wiring style

[MoonMan2]

The photo below is taken from the loft, of the nearest celing rose (bedroom light) to where I would like to put my loft light:

As you can see there is one thick grey cable running to this ceiling rose. The white cables are for other things not connected with the lighting circuit.

From the bedroom, unscrewing the ceiling rose, looks like this:

The bedroom light has a remote control dimmer that works with the light switch in the bedroom.

I would like to some way or another ‘insert’ the wiring for a loft light and switch.

I can't figure out how to do it because of the single cable (black, red and earth wire contained within) coming to and from the loft light. I’d of thought it would have been two cables, one for main circuit and one to connect to the light switch in the bedroom.

Looking forward to being enlightened.

 

[aptsys]

If the feed isn't at the ceiling rose, then it's either at the switch or a junction box elsewhere.

 

[M1Chanical]

You won't be able to pick up your feed from this partular lighting point. Check the rest to see what the look like.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Yes.
First thing (this isnt, so bad) take off the light switch and tell us (photo) the wires that are there.
Do this before you even think about moving on to the.........
Second thing (quite nasty as it's currently 200°C in the loft, and you'll have to make like a mole under all that itchy loft insulation)
Follow the cable from the ceiling rose until you find a junction box. that's where your connections will probably be.

 

[MoonMan2]

Right, I unscrewed the light switch in my bedroom, the one with a dimmer. This is what I saw:

I followed the cable from the ceiling rose for the bedroom light and it went down this hole, which is near to the light switch:

I had a little rummage around the loft, following these grey cables but didn't come across a junction box. That's not to say there isn't one hidden under the insulation somewhere.

Just thought I get your thoughts first before hunting around like a mole in that heat.

 

[JohnW2]

I followed the cable from the ceiling rose for the bedroom light and it went down this hole, which is near to the light switch .... I had a little rummage around the loft, following these grey cables but didn't come across a junction box. That's not to say there isn't one hidden under the insulation somewhere. ... Just thought I get your thoughts first before hunting around like a mole in that heat.

If there is no junction box (which there may well not be), then it looks as if you would have to 'break into' (and insert a junction box) into (the correct) one of those three wires going to the switch in order to get a permanent live and neutral feed for your loft light.

If (as is often the case in lofts) you only wanted to use the loft light very occasionally, a 'less hassle' approach would be to connect it (and a switch) to the bedroom ceiling rose - the loft light would then only work if the bedroom light was switched on (and would also be dimmed by the bedroom dimmer) - but that might possible be acceptable for 'very occasional use'.

Kind Regards, John

 

[Taylortwocities]

The lighting arrangement is with the permaenent live/neutrals to be looped in at the light switch(es). Like this

there probably will not be a junction box.

You have two options:
1. Try and get an additional cable down through the studwork from the loft down to the switch, and connect up there. Not easy unless you have a set of cable rods and a large amount of luck. You might be able to use one of the existing cables as a pull wire, but it'll ne a learning experience for you!

2. Up in the ceiling, coming through the ceiling there will be the three wires that go to the switch. One of those will go to the ceiling rose, you do not want that one!
The other two will be the permanent live and neutral and earth. Pick one cut it and install a junction box somewhere handy. then connect from there to your new switch. Ohh yes. Turn the power off first!

Meerkat

• Taylortwocities
• 11 Dec 2009
• 53

Simples!

 

[MoonMan2]

Up in the ceiling, coming through the ceiling there will be the three wires that go to the switch. One of those will go to the ceiling rose, you do not want that one!
The other two will be the permanent live and neutral and earth. Pick one cut it and install a junction box somewhere handy. then connect from there to your new switch. Ohh yes. Turn the power off first!

Meerkat

• Taylortwocities
• 11 Dec 2009
• 53

Simples!

I think I prefer that option.

Could I use this junction box?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ashley-Dow...&qid=1531233043&sr=8-15&keywords=junction+box


I watched this instruction video.

Is this good and correct for what I want to do?

 

[Taylortwocities]

Yes.

 

[Risteard]

Is this good and correct for what I want to do?

Pretty poorly done in that video.

 

[Taylortwocities]

I agree, shameful laying out of conductors. Does nobody have any pride in what they do any more?

 

[EFLImpudence]

Does nobody have any pride in what they do any more?

Only the Government.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

If the feed isn't at the ceiling rose, then it's either at the switch or a junction box elsewhere.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

You might be able to use one of the existing cables as a pull wire

Always a popular decision when the join comes apart and then you have no connected cable any more.

 

[Taylortwocities]

I did say "might".