ADDING ANOTHER LAMP TO STAIRS - SOME ADVICE PLEASE...!!

[chris301up]

I am currently rewiring my house and, whilst doing so, have decided to add another lamp at the bottom of the stairs, if possible?

At present, the existing wiring is a two-way circuit with a single lamp at the top of the stairs, and I was hoping to replace this with another two-way circuit with an added lamp at the bottom.

Does anyone have a wiring diagram available for this, or is it just a matter of taking an extension from the lamp connections at the ceiling rose?

 

[sprocketflup]

I thought youd said you had trained as an electrician?

 

[samson337]

I always wire the landing light from the down stairs curcuit, not sure how you have wired yours, but if you have your best off coming off a light downstairs for your hall. Just simply take a feed from the ceiling light or switch if it's looped there.

 

[chris301up]

Yes. I did train as an electrician over 30 years ago and I got out of the business then when I realised I could earn more in the motor trade,

Things are very different now and I just wanted to bring things up-to-date and make sure I am doing things correctly and, above all, safely.

I am attaching a rough layout of my planned wiring.



IS THIS LAYOUT CORRECT ??

 

[alpha spark]

Yes Chris that's ok or you could of used a 3 core to 2 way the switches makes no difference really

 

[ProDave]

Just to get this right. you are ADDING a new lighting circuit such that you can switch the downstairs light from upstairs or downstairs.

Surely the existing landing light, also switchable from downstairs or upstairs will remain?

So you will change both existing light switches for 2 gang switches and wire a new circuit in addition to the existing circuit.

There are many ways of wiring 2 way circuits, so I would work out how the present one is wired and configure the new circuit the same to avoid confusion for future owners.

2 way switching works exactly the same way it did 30 years ago (except now we pay more attention to where you get the neutral from)

 

[chris301up]

No. I am NOT ADDING but replacing the existing, old 1.0mm wiring for 1.5mm twin & earth plus new switches and lamps.

I am only adding another lamp at the bottom of the stairs to give more illumination in this somewhat dark property.

I just want to be sure how the additional lamp should be configured?

 

[kme]

1. You "configure" the new lamp dependant on how you want it to work (i.e. with the existing hallway light, or on a separate switch).

2. "Your" drawing shows "junction boxes". If you DO intend to use them, make sure they are the correct type to comply with the accessibility requirements of 7671.

3. In your last post...... "no, I am NOT ADDING...."......on the next line " I am only adding". Make your mind up mate. Either you ARE adding something, or you aren`t. Can`t have both.

 

[ProDave]

No. I am NOT ADDING but replacing the existing, old 1.0mm wiring for 1.5mm twin & earth plus new switches and lamps.I am only adding another lamp at the bottom of the stairs to give more illumination in this somewhat dark property.

I just want to be sure how the additional lamp should be configured?

Why on earth do you want to remove 1mm wiring and replace it with 1.5mm?

I'm a fan of 1.0mm for lighting circuits, unless it's a long run and VD may be an issue.

Particularly if downlighters are involved. Some are simply impossible to get two 1.5mm cores into the pathetic terminals they give you.

 

[chris301up]

Let me clarify. I have removed all of the old wiring which was single 1.0mm black and single 1.00mm red and intend to replace this with 1.5mm twin & earth and, where necessary, 3 core or 4 core cable for the two-way switches.

Therefore, I am not adding any circuits only replacing them. Whilst doing so, I wanted an extra lamp at the bottom of the stairs, hence my original post.

I have uploaded an image, which utilises a junction box, but this is only a rough idea. I would prefer to wire the stairs lighting with two-way switches and two (2) lamps and no junction box

If anyone has a better wiring diagram then please upload it?

 

[alpha spark]

Use the joint box as your first pendant they have loop terminals in them for this very reason u will have a mains in and out a twin to your 2nd fitting a switching cable wheather it's a single or a twin

 

[ProDave]

If you have removed singles, then it must be in conduit?

Are you putting the t&e back in the conduit?

 

[alpha spark]

I think he's on about double insulated singles

 

[Andy™]

there are lots of wiring diagrams for lighting on here & on the net. if you cannot understand them &how they work enough to be able to wire it to suit what you want, then i suggest you call someone competent.

 

[chris301up]

Right. Will use a junction box and connect as shown in diagram. This by the way is my diagram based upon my knowledge from many years ago. I think I am more than competent to understand most diagrams, and of course, I can always ask - can't I?

For your information the single black & red wires that were removed were not in conduit nor will the 1.5mm go in conduit.

 

[alpha spark]

There is no need for the join box Chris wire what you have at the joint box to the first fitting

 

[jakecameron]

So let's get this right? You got out the trade before completing because u realised u CAN earn more money in the motor trade???? So please can u tell me how to rebuilt the engine in my van please? Can I post a diagram and see if it's right and u talk me through it?? If u have so much more money than us pay a spark!!!!

 

[Doc Hudson]

I am currently rewiring my house....

Has part~P been mentioned yet? .Doc H

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

Yes. I did train as an electrician over 30 years ago and I got out of the business then when I realised I could earn more in the motor trade,Things are very different now and I just wanted to bring things up-to-date and make sure I am doing things correctly and, above all, safely.

I am attaching a rough layout of my planned wiring.

View attachment 4135

IS THIS LAYOUT CORRECT ??

The way to do this correctly would be to employ a compedant person who after the installation can test & certify the work to make it fully legal. Rewiring a house, even if its only 'replacing' what is there has to betested, certified & also notified to the council (unless in Scotland)

 

[ProDave]

And don't take that diagram too literally. We don't use red and black any more.