Best Way to Add a Light in the Loft

[am549]

I've got a new build property and it looks like the electrician has left some wiring in the loft ready for a plug socket to be installed (2.5mm twin and earth cable). I'm assuming it's for a plug socket due to the cable size and that it's not wired into any of the lighting circuits (checked by switching off all the lighting circuits and the cable was still live according to my voltage pen).
What would be the best way to wire in a light? I've got some 1.0mm twin and earth cable which I'd like to use so my thought was this:
Install double socket off the current cable
Use the 1.0mm twin and earth to wire a pendant into a 3 pin plug with a 5amp fuse installed and plug it into the above.

Based on the above, would I be able to wire the plug into a junction box in order to feed 2 pendants? Thanks

 

[am549]

OP: Why do you want to use twin and earth cable? As @Pete999 says, its not suitable for your idea.

I had it leftover from some work I had done before and thought I could use it. What could I use instead?

IF the errant cable is a spur from the upstairs RFC then fit a FCU and wire your loft light from that, simples.

Sorry I should have made it clearer, the reason for wanting the plug socket was so that I could have somewhere to plug in in the loft at a later date.

 

[Spoon]

Sorry I should have made it clearer, the reason for wanting the plug socket was so that I could have somewhere to plug in in the loft at a later date

If you are going to use the cable to add a 2 way socket outlet onto it, then you really need to find out where the cable is fed from. If its wired into an upstairs socket then find out which one and see how its wired up.

 

[westward10]

A volt pen can show a dead cable to be live if it is in close proximity to cables which are live!

 

[Pete999]

So, what's the consensus? get a sparky in to do the work?

 

[am549]

A volt pen can show a dead cable to be live if it is in close proximity to cables which are live!

I had switched the lighting circuits off at the mains before checking that cable and it was still live. Unless there is other socket wiring in the ceiling then I'd like to think it's accurate.

If you are going to use the cable to add a 2 way socket outlet onto it, then you really need to find out where the cable is fed from. If its wired into an upstairs socket then find out which one and see how its wired up.

It looks like it's coming off one of the upstairs sockets judging by the direction of the cable but I've got no easy way of finding out as the insulation is in the way in the loft and the closest socket has got those stupid screw covers on so I can't easily get it off to check without destroying those (unless there's a nack to getting them out).

I've emailed the developer and hope they can provide me with the information.

 

[Pete999]

I would demand from the developer, that he gets the idiot who left this live cable floating around in the loft, back ASAP and finish what he started, also check the EIC for the original installation, just realised it's new build.

 

[NDG Elecs]

Use flex to go into a plug. I gotta say I have never known loft insulation that is not movable!! Gloves and mask on, move, check, put back! Really simple mate..

 

[westward10]

As Pete says get the developer in to sort it as a live cable, assuming it is should not have been left floating about.

 

[Spoon]

I've emailed the developer and hope they can provide me with the information.

Did you state you have a live cable in the loft, connected to nothing?

OK @Pete999 says it better than me in the post above..

 

[am549]

I would demand from the developer, that he gets the idiot who left this live cable floating around in the loft, back ASAP and finish what he started, also check the EIC for the original installation, just realised it's new build.

Are you saying it should't have been signed off if the cable has been left like that? What should I be looking for in the EIC?

Yes I stated that there is a live cable connected to nothing!

 

[Pete999]

Are you saying it should't have been signed off if the cable has been left like that? What should I be looking for in the EIC?

Yes I stated that there is a live cable connected to nothing!

The person conducting the test is the one to blame as well, it's a dangerous occurrence in my book, in answer to your question the installation is not complete, not safe therefore should not have been signed off on. The omission of an accessory on the end of this cable is obviously an oversight by the installer, the EIC should have picked this oversight up.

 

[westward10]

Any chance you can have a look in your neighbours loft to see if it is the same.

 

[am549]

Any chance you can have a look in your neighbours loft to see if it is the same.

Possibly, I'll have to see when they're home. If in the first instance though we're saying that cable should have been terminated in some shape or form then I'll raise it with them and get them to sort things out.

 

[DPG]

There is no doubt the cable should not have been left live and unterminated! Anyone reaching around in loft, especially with no proper lighting, could have touched it and received a shock.

As said above, the testing should have picked this up.

 

[Octopus]

I think a decent spark needs to visit site.