What technique is best for wiring lighting?

[cairns]

Whats better loop in or the junction box system and why?

Cheers,

John

 

[monkeyelectric]

Whats better loop in or the junction box system and why?

Cheers,

John

I personally would say a junction box system is best in principle but its not used very often now, you only have one wire at each light and one at each switch, but the 3 plate wiring is more commonly used and is better than looping through the switch box as its better to have more wires in the ceiling than trying to conceal them in the wall

 

[Davey101]

I would agree that the normal 3 plate system is usually best and quickest, however, sometimes its easier to wire everything from the switch. i.e if you are wiring wall lights, you really dont want 3 or more cables at the fitting, its usually hard enough getting one in. I've heard people argue that you shouldnt connect the neutral into a 'choccy block' connector in the back of the switch though.

 

[Des 56]

Looping in and out at the switches is good for easier testing,ease of connection at the lights
Three plate is handy having the supply at the light,but can become choca bloc when cramming them into small fittings
Junction boxes are easy for installing wiring,but should remain accessable
Each has its advantages
I use all three to suit the situation at hand

 

[Spudnik]

Im with Des on this.

I have just finished a rewire and they a mixture of pendants and downlights.

Rooms that had the downlights had the circuit dropped into the switch.

I personally dont see anything wrong with the choccy in the back box.

If space is tight, i tend to use thru crimps.

 

[Davey101]

Agreed about the choccy, its how I do all my switches. Read somewhere that choccies dont comply with regs, dont know if its right or not (I think it may have been something to do with it not being a fixed terminal). Either way, you'd have to be pretty pedantic to fail it.

 

[Mr Mark Sparks]

i tend to wire to the switches to keep the number of wires down at the fitting and i use connector blocks to join through.
if i can i will put a 47mm deep box in to help with space for dimmers etc

 

[Adam W]

I don't see what's wrong with choccy block behind the switch - the joint would be perfectly accessible if you just remove 2 screws.
I'm not a fan of feeding switches though, particularly in domestic properties, because I don't trust a DIYer not to come along and try to turn the switch into a socket; my view is if there's no neutral there it won't work so they won't do it.