Totally NOT an electrican

[Paskylou]

ok, as the header says, i have absolutely zero electrics knowledge or experience, so if I need to get a pro to do this then that's fine. BUT. I do like to give things a go, so i'm just asking to see if this is something I could attempt myself!

I had a light in my living room, a basic bulb hanging with a lampshade. I have bought a new light and it's not a lightshade, so needs to be fitted.

I figured I could do it, but the plastic fitting bit that goes into the ceiling (is that the ceiling rose? or junction box?) that's currently in the ceiling, is smaller than the fittings for this new light.

so, can I do this myself, is it a case of just buying something and changing it over, or is it much more technical and I need to call a professional?

Sorry if that was also not explained well!

 

[ETAF]

it maybe possible - BUT it will really depend on your competance and undertanding
how olds the house and is the new lght fitting metal - IT maybe there is NO earth on the lighting circuit and the NEW fitting has to be earthed, which will make it a lot more complicated

perhaps some photos of the existing light and the wiring currently in the rose and the new fitting

you will probably need a maintenance free junction box (wago) to replace the rose connections and that would go into the void in the ceiling - OR depending on the new fitting it may go over the existing rose - BUT how that will then fit to the beams in the ceiling maybe an issue

The existign rose mayhave a LOOP in and LOOP out - so thats LIVE & NEUTRAL (Posibly earth
and then a cable - which has liVE to switch and switched LIVE back (and maybe coloured blue or black - BUT still a LIVE = possibly with a Brown or RED sleeve to indicate LIVE

 

[Paskylou]

Just those words make me feel like i'll need a pro! i'll take some pics and post them and then hopefully i'll know for sure! The house is about 50 years old.

thanks for your quick reply

 

[ETAF]

1970's = Should have an Earth on the lighting , as i think late 60's was required to be fitted , BUT only way to check is to have a look

where about in the country are you . I'm see a UK flag , so assumed in UK

 

[ericmark]

One of our contributors has this web page in my case I can unplug the light fitting and wire it on the floor, but these are not that common.

 

[FrodoOne]

One of our contributors has this web page in my case I can unplug the light fitting and wire it on the floor, View attachment 363593 but these are not that common.

Lucky you.
Those excellent Maestro fittings are no longer available.
Cheaper plastic ones are still available.

Hager Plug In Ceiling Roses

 

[Murdochcat]

Water - you can see it
Gas - you can smell it

Electricity - could kill you when you feel it

 

[ebee]

It`s only fair to advise you to get somebody competent to do it really.
There are pitfalls with mains electricity

 

[EFLImpudence]

Yes. The fact that you needed to ask the question verifies that.

 

[blup]

Plenty of youtube videos on the subject, but as your experience of domestic wiring installation is virtually zero, get a sparky in. There are to many theoretical and practical basics for you to master first before you to get stuck in to this job, even though it is relatively straightforward for an average diyer

 

[mattylad]

Before you do anything, make sure you take clear photo's of where all the wires go in the old fitting, mark them up with a permanent pen (simple 1,2, 3 stripes will do).

THen you can get better advise where to put them when putting them in the new fitting.