Lighting Via Central box

OWLelectrical · Jan 3, 2013

Just had a call out for a lighting fault. Whilst looking for all the cables as every light and switch had 1 cable I found a junction box with all cables in. How often were houses wired like this as never come across it myself? Well the fault was the Xmas stuff had been dumped on the jb and smashed to pieces. Where could I find a similar box as it was fairly discreet and tidy. Cheers

trev · Jan 3, 2013

It was a fairly common way to wire lighting ciruits once upon a time. Nearest you'll find now will probably an adaptable box with din rail connectors

OWLelectrical · Jan 3, 2013

Yeah that's what I was thinking Trev. Just wondering if they still made anything similar that's all. Cheers

trev · Jan 3, 2013

Probably easier to go with the above mate than spend hours trawling for something you'll be likely not to find

Fin170 · Jan 3, 2013

We occasionally do them using surface patresses full of push ins or crimps

Normally the most economically sensible way of rewiring lighting circuits in occupied houses, not forgetting to leave a note of where said box is

Guest111 · Jan 3, 2013

the only thing that may do is one of those WIRING CENTRES that they use for central heating, basically a flat box with a lump of stripblock in its about the same size.

paul_h · Jan 3, 2013

We use either a 4x4 or 6x6 metal box and connector block if a lighting jb is required. Another option for you.

Darkwood · Jan 3, 2013

We wired like that under the 15th (Yellow reg's book if i recall) alot... having a central JB on landing and one in loft was the most common place to locate them.

Phil · Jan 3, 2013

seen one the other week. all nice and neat great readings and not a turn needed to nip up the connections

onions1066 · Jan 3, 2013

Fin170 said:
We occasionally do them using surface patresses full of push ins or crimps

Normally the most economically sensible way of rewiring lighting circuits in occupied houses, not forgetting to leave a note of where said box is

you still wire like this or used to?

Des 56 · Jan 3, 2013

There used to be a patented system for many council properties,a surface mounted box that had the upstairs or the downstairs lights pre wired into them,with switch and light cables cut to length ready to be wired,only the feed needed adding
The actual enclosure sat over the top of the bank of connectors,it was a nice system to install and for fault finding

Geordie Spark · Jan 3, 2013

phil d said:
the only thing that may do is one of those WIRING CENTRES that they use for central heating, basically a flat box with a lump of stripblock in its about the same size.

A tobacco tin with the joints twisted & taped inside it is the way to go !! :cowboy:

diditrain · Jan 4, 2013

I came across one once, think it had octopus stamped on the box lid.
Stripped this out on a heating system the other week:

[ElectriciansForums.net] Lighting Via Central box

Engineer54 · Jan 4, 2013

diditrain said:
I came across one once, think it had octopus stamped on the box lid.

That was indeed the name of the system, Not unusual to see the sockets also wired on the system.
Circa ...around the middle to late 70's era i think!!