Replacing bathroom ceiling light

GeorgeDuckett

I'm trying to replace a light in the ceiling. It, with an extractor fan is controlled by a switch.

In the ceiling are 3 electrical wires.
One has a yellow/green wire, a red wire and a black wire.
The 2nd wire has 2 black wires and one red wire.
The 3rd has one yellow/green wire, one yellow wire, one blue wire and one red wire.

The new light only has 3 inputs, live (brown), neutral (blue) and earth(?) (yellow).

I was hoping i could just take the light out and just replace like-for-like but it doesn't look like its going to be that simple.

I'd appreciate any help as i don't want to try something and make more problems!

GeorgeDuckett

I've made some progress. I now know that it was a looped ceiling rose on there originally, with the extractor fan connected to that.

My issue now is that the new light isn't a ceiling rose, it's just got 3 inputs; live, neutral and earth.

How can i connect that to the system, that originally connected to the looped ceiling rose?


Can i buy something similar to a terminal block that combines multiple wires (i.e. what you'd find within the looped terminal rose)? Do they have a name?

The looped ceiling rose has these that i can take out, however they're solid metal so think i'd better not use them out of the looped ceiling rose!

staffie1

Don't forget regulations for bathroom lights - just thought I'd mention it. http://www.lightahome.co.uk/bathroom-zone-regulations.htm
I'd ask an electrician if in doubt about the wiring.

Leif

staffie1 wrote: »

Don't forget regulations for bathroom lights - just thought I'd mention it. http://www.lightahome.co.uk/bathroom-zone-regulations.htm
I'd ask an electrician if in doubt about the wiring.

And I think that by law you are not allowed to work on the electrics in a bathroom unless you are a qualified electrician. You MIGHT be able to replace like for like e.g. replace a light fitting with one of the same kind. Best to check.

GeorgeDuckett

Thanks for the quick replys.

Regarding regulations, the light is in zone 3 (as is the extractor).

I've looked around re. Part P, and notifying etc. and it's a bit unclear as i'm replacing an existing light, but it's not like-for-like.


Andrew, Re. using terminal connectors, are you saying that i can just stick multiple wires in the ends of the them?

27col

Leif wrote: »

And I think that by law you are not allowed to work on the electrics in a bathroom unless you are a qualified electrician. You MIGHT be able to replace like for like e.g. replace a light fitting with one of the same kind. Best to check.

Who the hell's going to know.

greatgimpo

...until it comes to selling, and then you have to declare you've done no Part P work.

Leif

greatgimpo wrote: »

...until it comes to selling, and then you have to declare you've done no Part P work.

I do not condone doing illegal electrical work, but how do they prove that you did it? Is there a central register of work done on houses? And how do they prove it was not done by someone before the new regulations came into force?

evoke

OP: if you're struggling with the colours of the wires then it's time to get a qualified electrician to do the work. I would never take a risk with electrical wiring in the bathroom. Your life isn't worth it.

27col

Leif wrote: »

I do not condone doing illegal electrical work, but how do they prove that you did it? Is there a central register of work done on houses? And how do they prove it was not done by someone before the new regulations came into force?

My point exactly.

eryn_kathleen

Zone 3 is now effectively unzoned (as of 30th June 2008):

Not Zoned (was Bathroom Zone 3) - the area beyond zone 2. Zone 3 used to stretch 2.4m horizontally and up to 2.25m vertically, but this is now not separated and any lighting fitting can go in this area. There is not a specified IP rating for this area, although some products are marked as not for bathroom use. SELV or shaver units are permitted. However, all other portable electrical items such as hairdryers, floor lamps or extension cables are not.

So it shouldn't impact Part P regulations.