Light fitting. Am I capable?

McGray

McGray

McGray

Soldato
Joined
8 Dec 2008
Posts
6,022
Hey guys.

How difficult would it be to replace a ceiling light fitting?

It's just a wire coming from the ceiling and the bit where the bulb goes in is broke. It's just that bit which needs replacing so I reckon I can do this myself.

I don't really need an electrician for this do I?
 
It's not difficult, but make totally sure you can reliably turn off the supply.

Also ensure that nobody else is liable to turn the power back on while you are working! An electrical test screwdriver is invaluable and very cheap.
 
McGray said:
Hey guys.

How difficult would it be to replace a ceiling light fitting?

It's just a wire coming from the ceiling and the bit where the bulb goes in is broke. It's just that bit which needs replacing so I reckon I can do this myself.

I don't really need an electrician for this do I?
Click to expand...

If you can wire a plug, you can wire a light fitting. Just make sure you turn the power off at the breaker/fuse box. Just switching off the light switch isn't enough, as there is still a live circuit up in the ceiling.

Get an electrician's screwdriver with a light in it to make sure there are no live wires after you turn off the power. You can get them from a pound shop quite cheaply. You'd be amazed how many times things are not wired to the circuit you think they are.

If you have to replace the part that is actually screwed to the ceiling, be careful that you don't nick any wires while screwing the new part in. Ideally, you would use the old screw holes and they go into a joist. If you have to drill a couple of holes, be careful, and if necessary use the kind of plugs for hollow spaces if you're going into the ceiling rather than a joist. Any heavy fittings will need to go into a joist regardless.
 
It's literally just the bayonet socket thing that needs replacing.

So just need electrician's screwdriver and replacement socket and I'm good to go?
 
EDIT: Oh! That's very easy to do replacing lamp holder, but switch off at the fuse board before doing it.
 
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I was only expecting 2/3 wires?

Presume the new fitting will be marked for live/neutral and I just attach the corresponding wire?
 
McGray said:
I was only expecting 2/3 wires?

Presume the new fitting will be marked for live/neutral and I just attach the corresponding wire?
Click to expand...

Yes, only Blue & Brown.

Doesn't matter which wire goes in each terminal.

I edited my post after your second about 'bayonet socket thing'
 
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