Jump to content

Stupid Mains Powered Lighting Question


aener

Recommended Posts

Hello all.

I've tried Googling, but I think it's such a basic question that I just want to verify that I can't find any answers that unambiguously address it. I'm sure it's a complete no-brainer for anyone who knows even the basics, but I just wanted to check on account of being a n00b.

In my bedroom I have a single ceiling light, with a single switch at the wall.
I haven't opened it up yet, but I've no reason to believe there'd be more than one power cable inside it.
I want to wire two more lamps into a switch on the wall.
I've got a triple wall switch and logistically everything is fine, but here's my question:

Can I just branch the +ve, -ve and earth to all three lamps?
In parallel, of course, but will switching two on halve their brightness, or full brightness and pull twice as much current?
Instinct screams the latter on account of 4-way adaptors etc., but I've not done anything mains related before and just want an authoritative voice on the matter.

 

Thanks!

Edited by aener
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the input.

That diagram seems to imply a series of lights... Am I misunderstanding?
I want to have three switches, each correlating to one bulb.

 

Is the attached a no-go?

 

To slightly complicate matters, I plan on having two switches for the new bulbs so they can be turned on/off at the wall or at the bed, but that's a simple addition to the circuit. Just don't want to burn the house down!

Edit: ignore the extra earthing cables going to the bulbs - got a bit overexcited :P

 

wires.jpg

 

 

 

Edit 2: Horrible timing. Just found this, which pretty much alludes to the same thing, just more wire-efficient. Add the third in the same way, and all is good?

wiring-a-light-switch-double-light-switc

Edited by aener
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I assumed it'd be simple as per your diagrams but I think that 'lighting rose' thing is more common than not in house circuits so be prepared! You're right that it indicates a series of lights but they're in different rooms so the light in the bedroom doesn't go off when the bulb goes in the hall etc.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ah! I see what you mean.

Yes - that makes sense. I'll watch more videos and read guides, but it seems like I can do what I was thinking so long as that "Next Light" cable of yours is also factored in.
I've been thinking of it as an endpoint, rather than one stop in a loop.

Thanks!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Light wiring was a proper headf**k for me the first time too for the same reason. 

Once it clicks in your head it feels simple, but it’s definitely not intuitive (or wasn’t to me) to start with.

All I’d say is once you’ve opened up the switch or rose, stop and think about it for a bit. 

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Electrical installations are a little part of my job for many years, I hope this can help you. As my English is not that great, I'm not sure what you want exactly but I did this. There are 3 single switches, 1 per light. If you want other thing let me know and I will do another drawing

Captura.png

Edited by Guillermo M.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

just to put Guillermos post into English:

Just simply tie all grounds to ground and neutrals to neutral, and switch the live with switches.

20 hours ago, aener said:

1st image for ref

Your diagram  you are switching the neutral while the device always has live. I would advise doing it the other way around.

Lets say you need to change bulbs. With your wiring it will always be live, no matter if switch is on or off. 

If you switch live to them instead of neutral , then you can switch off the power and they wont be able to shock you.

also 

1 hour ago, Guillermo M. said:

 

These are gorgeous mate, I am well impressed

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...