where to position downlights

[petedel]

Im planning on removing two lighting points from my living room ceiling and replacing with 8 230v downlights (2rows of 4).

the room is 3.6m x 5.0m

In order to get the best use out of these would it be best to divide the ceiling into 8 imaginary sections an then use each centre as the new lighting point or divide the length by 5 and place at every metre and same for the width ( 3.6/3 so lights placed 1.2m apart?

ceiling/floor space is accessable from above and doesn't have any insulation inside

before anyone asks I have 2330 level 3 and 17th edition, I also have access to a metril mft that has a valid calibration certificate

 

[JulianC]

Do you also have access to eBay? 'Cos that's where I'd position downlights...:rofl:

 

[Silly Sausage]

Joists permitting!!!!...
I'd go 1.25m in from both long sides, 2.5m between each row of 4 lamps; and 0.45m in from short sides, 0.9m between each lamp.

 

[telectrix]

1.2m spacing is about right, but i'd use smd led's. wide spread ( 120deg. ) and a min of 5watt each led.

 

[Badged01]

before anyone asks I have 2330 level 3 and 17th edition, I also have access to a metril mft that has a valid calibration certificate

But are you an 'electrician'?

And that means ......

Sorry, but Ive just discovered coloured fonts!

 

[Badged01]

Joists permitting!!!!....

I hate to admit Ive discovered this problem before when laying-out ...... but fortunately before cutting!!

 

[MDJ]

, I also have access to a metril mft that has a valid calibration certificate

Will the metrel tell you where to drill the holes though ? :rofl:

 

[telectrix]

i had a stud detector once, but had to scrap it. every tim i put it in my trouser pocket, it bleeped like hell.:ciappa:

 

[dingledong]

surely its personal choice . also if large objects are in the room etc etc . i didnt think putting in down lights had a formula to it

 

[Octopus]

Go for LED's and watch out for joists, noggins, pipes and cables.

 

[amlu]

get some squared paper and draw it with a pencil in scale, make note where joists are (have some strong magnet with you helps find nails/screws holding plasterboard to the joist)

chalk line/laser/big square ruler greatly help measuring things on the ceiling.

and then is up to you, when doing for customers show them the drawing and listen, most of the times they like to be involved in some level of designing their fancy lights)

 

[Octopus]

Out of interest how to plan to get "past" the joists?

 

[PEG]

Out of interest how to plan to get "past" the joists?

Hope it's not using the method i saw a while back...Kitchen ceiling,bathroom above,older property with 7"x3" floor joists and some wild card had cut a 5" (125mm) aperture using a hole-cutter to wire and house down lighter plus tranny! It was very neat but left an inch above and below.Must have assumed the owner was filling bath with helium:tounge_smile:

 

[amlu]

Out of interest how to plan to get "past" the joists?

when you have access from above usual drilling, when not then mark out where one is, cut a notch in in it and a bit of surrounding plasterboard (or lathe, wear good mask!, yuck!), run the wire and patch up the hole with piece of plasterboard and some filler (regs brigade dont like it,anyway i never heard of safe zones in the celing :cowboy::cowboy::cowboy:

 

[D Skelton]

Out of interest how to plan to get "past" the joists?

We usually cut the bit of the joist out that is in the way. A quick nip tuck with the recip, job's a gooden!