Wiring ceiling lights (warning stupidity within)

Adz

Adz

Adz

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This is probably one of the most idiotic things I've asked on this forum but I've googled with little luck so here goes:

If you have a 3 way ceiling light, should the lights be connected in series or in parallel?

My obvious first thought is parallel but presumably I'll need to buy some kind of connector block for this.
 
parallel otherwise they all go out when one goes.

Got a photo of what you talking about? does the rose end have 6 wires? 3 brown, 3 blue? If so then bunch the blues together then the same with the browns
 
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Just becareful. I've found lighting wiring very wierd sometimes. Almost blew the fuse box one time. Any more than 2, 3 or 4 wires I would be wary. Yep lighting is usually on a ring circuit.
 
The_blue said:
parallel otherwise they all go out when one goes.

Got a photo of what you talking about? does the rose end have 6 wires? 3 brown, 3 blue? If so then bunch the blues together then the same with the browns
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That's exactly how it is. I'll tell you the full story.... I'm visiting my mum at the moment and she's asked me to take a look at this. I wired this light up ~7 years ago by connecting the 3 lamps in parallel (twisting the wires together and pushing them into the single connector block) but it constantly blows bulbs and always has so I thought perhaps I did something wrong.

Obviously the problem is elsewhere. Thanks for your help :).
 
Frequent lamp failure can be caused by a number of things:

Cheap poor quality lamps
Vibration
Excess supply voltage (if possible purchase lamps rated for 240v)
Supply disturbances caused by nearby industry
Supply disturbances caused by arcing connections (also a fire risk) and worn switches

EDIT: Oh, and lighting is very rarely* wired in a ring formation!, that would be non-standard, but I suppose could be adopted in tricky situation WRt to keeping VD in check

*-(well very rare if you don't count the times when lighting has been installed in a house by someone who reckons it ought to be a ring....)
 
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Im pretty sure, but not certain, that its now illegal to mess around with lights unless your an electrician..
 
James07 said:
Im pretty sure, but not certain, that its now illegal to mess around with lights unless your an electrician..
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No (well it would be a bit hard considering there is no legal definition of an electrician ;) )

Edit: although the building regulations, electrity at work regulations, heath and safety at work act, electricity safety, quality and continuity regulations all have certain requirements do have requirements relating to electrical installations
 
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Im not sure, i aint certain on it anyway, i just thought it was true.

As for the insurance, thats entirely down to what is stated in the contract.
 
Adz said:
This is probably one of the most idiotic things I've asked on this forum but I've googled with little luck so here goes:

If you have a 3 way ceiling light, should the lights be connected in series or in parallel?

My obvious first thought is parallel but presumably I'll need to buy some kind of connector block for this.
Click to expand...

well the ones ive had are prewired or ive done it some times in series

Basicly rig all 3 lamp holders up togther then take one a lead wire from this to the jct box
 
In the end I replaced the light fitting with a brand new Halogen cluster from B&Q. The confusing point was that the switched live was just black - it wasn't marked at all. I just went by how the previous fitting was wired and it works fine.

Thanks for the input :).
 
James07 said:
Im not sure, i aint certain on it anyway, i just thought it was true.

As for the insurance, thats entirely down to what is stated in the contract.
Click to expand...

you can wire up anything in the house yourself but i believe you have to have a shower and a cooker checked by a certified electrician.
 
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