Electrical Advice

nitinpatil

Guys

I have downlights fitted in my house and the wiring for them is routed through loft. The joints are done using Terminal Blocks with black tape on it. The loft insulation guy said you need to replace those joints with proper junction box
does anyone know which junction box i need to use? can anyone recommend where should i buy them?

Also on top of these downlight I need some fire protector so that I can put loft insulation on them , does anyone know what can be used?

thanks

Pats

adaze

You can get fireproof (or resistant) things that look like plant pots that you put over the downlight, over which you can place insulation. The junction boxes should definately be replaced, whether or not you can do it is another question. You could argue that it is a repair and you can do it yourself, if not you would need an electrician, more so if your not sure what you are doing. Junction boxes are generally rated 5, 10, 15A etc... so you would need one which could cope with the loading on your lighting circuit, generally this is 5A, but I don't know the calcs you would need to do to be 100% sure and to find out how many cables you can connect, anyone else?

diable

Something like this for the boxes, check the circuit rating first though as you may need 15a boxes http://www.screwfix.com/prods/18802/Electrical-Supplies/Cable-Accessories/Junction-Boxes/Standard-Junction-Box-5A-4-Terminal and to cover the lights you could use plasterboard to shield around the light fitting.

27col

I suggest that you use a junction box with the higher current rating. Not because you need it, but just because the terminals are larger and this can make it a bit easier to make the connection. If you do do it yourself, make sure that you have noted down on a piece of paper, what cable is joined to what. If necessary put some tape around the cables and mark that as well. If you are in any way not confident, then get someone in. The cables should be clipped close to the junction box. It goes without saying that the power must be switched off at the consumer unit.