Replacing Downlights

sfrazi

We have completely gutted our ensuite, At the moment there are 4 mr16 12v 50w downlights dangling down. These need replacing as, at some point whilst removing ceiling for renovations, some of the lighting fixtures were taken off and have been lost in the rubble.

I would like to replace these lights with 4 mains 240v downlights as I believe there are more LED variety with mains GU10 lights as opposed to low voltage mr16.

My question is would is be a simply swap. i.e taking lighting fixture and transformer off and replace with mains voltage lighting fixture or do I need to replace the existing wiring as well? I ask this as the existing wiring consists of thin white wires and I thought it would have been the standard grey thicker lighting wire.

I_have_spoken

I swapped my bathroom lights from 12v to 240v IP65 fire rated and replaced all the wiring with twin and earth 1.5mm. Why skimp ?

sfrazi

Just noticed if I pull a bit more than I find the usual grey wires.

I will therefore get the mains voltage fixings that are suitable for bathrooms i.e. IP65/66.

One more question...do I need the fire rated ones or does that not matter since I am buying ones suitable for bathrooms?

I_have_spoken

IP65, fire rated, bulb inc. for under a £10 - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004C123NA/

sfrazi

Thanks for the link but I would like to know the risks of not installing the fire rated ones please.

27col

Some LV transformers come with the white twin flex, others have terminals for standard lighting cable. I have a mixture of the two types.

The_Angry_Jock

I_have_spoken wrote: »

I swapped my bathroom lights from 12v to 240v IP65 fire rated and replaced all the wiring with twin and earth 1.5mm. Why skimp ?

I did this exact thing at the beginning of the year, the only "problem" I currently have is the lights only have a 35deg beam angle, so I've created dark spots

Tempted to replace them with 90deg ones as I replaced the bathroom last year and some of it looks crap as it's not lit properly - the sink looks yellow (should be white) as it's just outside the beam.

Lesson learned for the future - always check lumens and beam angle.

fluffpot

Fire rated fittings need only be installed where the holes in the ceiling cause the fire compartment to be compromised. However, since the extra cost is minimal, I would always tend to fit them, the enclosed nature of the fitting stops dirt etc falling onto the back of the bulb

almillar

From experience, you want at least 400lm to replace 50W halogens. As above, the beam angle is equally important.