BIGGEST DIY Mistakes with Downlights

Common mistakes DIYers make with downlights in homes.

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[pb]

Another great video George. Concise and simply explained without excessive waffle!

[muhammadsalah]

Thanks buddy for all the videos. I really enjoy the tips and advice. Very thorough and eloquently explained.
Thanks again.

[errolmagill]

As always a very useful explaination, thanks for taking the time; without knowing you will be saving people much grief.

[MarcusT]

Good channel buddy. Hope you keep making vids!

[_tmmy_]

We had an electrician / bathroom fitter in to do our bathroom 6 years ago and I can honestly say as a DIY electrician the wiring for the spots was absolutely appalling - single cores exposed and junctions made without any kind of enclosures and insulation tape used rod the earth wires. It’s surprising how many rogue electricians you get these days and then people instantly blame the DIYer for being responsible

[PraiseandWorship]

Thanks for this video and the clear explanation. I have the exact same lights in my bathroom, the IP65. I've been struggling trying to get the bulb out, but no luck. I ended up giving up as 2 needs changing. What l didn't realise is that l need to change the whole unit. I can't thank you enough. Finally, I'll get those lights changed. Thanks alot

[gerryslater]

Excellent video.
Always remember; Lamps glow, bulbs grow. 😊

[pjmorgan]

Great video. Worth pointing out that the CPC is generally always single insulated.

[johnriggs]

Thanks for this... not sure about our bathroom downlights - they're all 12v but not IP rated in any way.

[acespark]

The earth or CPC carries current under fault conditions. One of the first tests carried out when electrical testing, is continuity of the CPC. So never cut it off always connect it. In the end it's your house and you do as you see fit. But if you want to sell it, the electrical system must comply with building regs and BS7671

[dazfrench]

I've got these exact lights in my living room (ip65) 4 of them, however when switched on the last light on the run takes two to three seconds later to light up than the others, hopefully someone can explain what's going on.

[reecehorner]

Good Video, the big question is should people be attempting electrical work if not competent, When as a competent and registered electrician I conduct an EICR, I absolutely dread seeing down lights within the property because I know through experience there is a 90% chance they will of been installed but someone who isn't trained or competent, It works so it must be safe, 😅

[pjmorgan]

I wonder how many building control offices have ever been notified about work in zones one or two? 😂

[michaelprosperity]

I use cans either remodeling or new construction. These new lights are dangerous and the bulbs aren't replaceable

[tellitasyouseeit]

George, you mentioned all downlights in ceiling above shower or bath should be a minimum of IP44. However zone 1 and 2 heights are 2.25m which is lower than most ceilings of 2.4m. which means the lights are out of zones, therefore do not need to be IP rated.

[stuarthancock]

Lamps in fittings bulbs in the ground👍🙄

[mountainable]

Much better to connect twin and earth into a joint box and wire downlights in heat proof flex

[gibberingidiot]

As an electrician, I'd like to say well done for covering a lot of stuff that even other electricians get wrong!

Only thing that you maybe could have added is the issue of insulation over downlights, which used to cause any number of melted fittings in the past. It's mostly solved now with modern LED fittings that are built to allow insulation directly over the top, but not all are so something to check.

The fire rating thing is not quite as simple as having a habitable room above either, since its related to the fire resistance of the ceiling you are fitting to - and in most houses the downstairs ceiling is not considered a fire barrier. However, it's always safer as you say to fit fire rated ones, and the vast majority are now, so no real reason not to use them these days.

[TheGhost-gxvd]

I'm a retired spark those push fit down lights i find are absolute rubbish the wires won't stay in what is wrong with the screw terminals or wago type

[TheChipmunk]

That diagram is incorrect... There is no zone around a hand basin