How to replace downlighters Ultimate Handyman DIY tips

[Nabishi]

how come they are not fire rated

[ultimatehandyman]

@Nabishi

They were made that way!

[Kropotkinskaya]

Also, you are connecting another cable to the box - this is for another light right? It's OK practice to do that? Thanks!

[ultimatehandyman]

@Kropotkinskaya

Yes, it is fine!

[Kropotkinskaya]

Hi. Me again (from how to drain your rads)! Thanks for this - really helpful. Question - I can't fit my 1mm twin and earth cables into that small light junction box. What cable size are you using? Thanks!

[ultimatehandyman]

@Kropotkinskaya

The cable was 1mm. What type of junction boxes are you using? I would use wago boxes and connectors if possible as there is loads of room in them!

[Kropotkinskaya]

@ultimatehandyman i mean the junction box of the light itself, not the junction box which connects all lights.

[ultimatehandyman]

@Kropotkinskaya

They can be a bit difficult to wire.

If you are having problems please take a picture and ask in the forum on my site.

[Kropotkinskaya]

@ultimatehandyman ok, will try. the box itself has a lid, like yours, but also a folding plastic arm which fits over the cable a little further back. Cannot use this arm when two cables are in the box. Just impossible. I wonder i it's still safe to use it without this arm. I'll send pictures.

[ultimatehandyman]

@Kropotkinskaya

It sounds like the little plastic arm is the cord grip.

You can cut a little off the cord grip so that two cables can fit in it- normally!

[ozymandias2010]

I don't think using a non-contact voltage detector is generally regarded as being acceptable.

[ultimatehandyman]

@ozymandias2010

You are right, but I'm trying to demonstrate how to at least do some kind of test to show that the circuit is isolated correctly. Many people will be following DIY books- which often make no mention of testing the circuit is dead. In an ideal world we would all use a GS38 approved voltage tester, but hardly any DIY people will own one or be prepared to spend the £40 plus to buy one.

[Jaya365]

@ultimatehandyman I follow your stuff mate and refer back to it quite often first thing I made sure of when doing wiring being doubly sure that the circuit was isolated the way you always emphasize on your vids - no shocks so far.  your videos show that you can do the simple stuff yourself as long as your not a complete idiot.

[ultimatehandyman]

@Jaya365

Thanks. I try and demonstrate to at least make some kind of test to ensure the correct circuit has been isolated, as my videos are aimed at DIYers I try and use equipment that they mught already own. If you were a professional electrician you would only be able to use a GS38 approved voltage tester to confirm a circuit is dead, and you would also have to lock the circuit off. Taking the time to make sure that you are 100% certain that you have isolated the correct circuit is worthwile

[ozymandias2010]

Shouldn't that circuit be isolated before you start playing around with it, especially given the poor standard of work you have encountered?

[ultimatehandyman]

@ozymandias2010

Not really, how else could I demonstrate just how bad the wiring was.

I made sure that I could not touch any of the conductors.