Views on plastered in GU10 light sockets or LED profiles

[ey143]

I'm at a stage of plastering ceilings and walls which has plasterboard.

Before then I'm thinking of whether I should install plaster-in style light sockets in the ceiling or LED profiles.

Am I right to worry about the headache that I will face if one of these units break down and need replacing or are they generally quite good that they should last and its the bulbs that will go. Would hate to have to rip one out and damage the surrounding plaster if something went wrong.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Saxby-8157...re+Fire+Rated+Downlight&qid=1624065560&sr=8-1

 

[ericmark]

There was going to be a EU directive about being able to renew parts in lights, although no longer in the EU if a unit can't be sold in EU then likely the model will be dropped, so personally I would not go for any lamp with non renewable parts.

 

[ey143]

Generally speaking, if the light fitting type is one that you plaster in, I'm not sure you'd be able to get access to the parts that would need replacing anyway as it would be a tight fit to get your hand inside and to the back to change anything?

 

[studentspark]

The type Iv'e installed, you plaster in a bezel (Trimless kit). The light sits in the bezel and can be removed, with out damage to the ceiling.

Ive installed lots of this brand

http://www.allledgroup.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=312

 

[plugwash]

That seems better than plastering in the whole fitting, but I would still be concerned about "long term support".

 

[ey143]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plaster-Downlights-Recessed-Trimless-Spotlights/dp/B08BG41GKP/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Fire+Rated+Plaster-in+Anti+Glare+Downlights,+Recessed+Ceiling+Lights,+GU10+Halogen+or+LED,+Trimless+Spotlights&qid=1624308203&sr=8-1

@studentspark

Most units will allow the bulb to be removed otherwise there would be an obvious problem for this type of plastered in light fitting. But what about if the electronic parts fail or you need to replace the whole unit, are you saying you can do that without damaging the plaster?

Can you tell from the description of this item on Amazon or from the following photos I attached, whether it is similar installation to the one you describe from All LED i.e. can change the parts if something is faulty? Are they all done this way?

 

[studentspark]

The type I linked to you can remove the whole fitting. Get the driver out, and any junction box ( Correctly sized for the hole.)
These do not have a lamp like a GU10 which can be replaced, but are a self enclosed LED . If it fails you need to replace the unit.
Some have built in drivers, some separate drivers.

This is a picture of the 'trimless kit', before plaster.
The lip is not that deep so I generally. do not use the screws supplied, as they protruded to much, and will not have a decent plaster covering. I generally countersink a few holes in the plate so a flat head screw sits flush, and grip fill the plate to the ceiling so it does not move, and crack the plaster at some point down the line, if you need to replace the fitting.

you can just about see the cables poking out, so all connections can be done after plastering.

Those pictured look like the fitting it self is plastered in, an will not be able to be removed. You would be able to change the bulb. But if you needed to change the lamp holder, or there was a problem with the electrical connection, you would be in a bit of trouble.

 

[ey143]

Do you know how much each of these cost and which retailers sell it?

Are these not IP rated for for protection?

 

[studentspark]

Yes The fitting itself is IP 65

ALLLED is a London based manufacturer, not sure how wide spread their distribution is, even online their presence appears quite small, and a quick look seems the online prices are over the top

The trimless bezel is around £7 but online Ive just seen it for £23.69 rip off...

The lamps are around £12.50 + vat

http://www.allledgroup.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=6_46&product_id=330

But they don't seem that available online so watch out for the pricing

Other companies do similar though

Ive never used this one, this is just for an example....

https://www.electricalcounter.co.uk/products/Lighting/Indoor+Lighting/Saxby+Indoor+Lighting/Downlights/Fire+Rated+ShieldECO+LED/Matt+White+Trimless+Bezel+for+ShieldLED+&+ShieldECO+Downlights/3566932432

 

[ey143]

I'm thinking of going for these ASTRO https://www.astrolighting.com/products/1248017 priced around £35 each including all the parts. Spoken to a few different retailers and they seem to suggest the Astro are better than the All Led. As you said, just need to make sure that the junction boxes can fit through the holes, but generally speaking isn't the cable for the GU10 sufficient rather than the junction boxes?

 

[Taylortwocities]

Each Astro comes with a “loop in” junction box of its own. You should not need additional JBs.
https://assets.astrolighting.com/pd...trimless-slimline-round-fire-rated-issue2.pdf

 

[plugwash]

It looks to me like they come with a box for connecting a supply cable and a cable onward to the next light, but it doesn't look like it's designed to accommodate a switch drop. So depending on how your wiring is laid out you may need a separate junction box for that.