Would you install your own light fitting ?

[bluecatt]

Hi everyone

My husband fancies himself as a bit of a DIY'er, and he's not bad at it to be honest.

We've just bought a lovely light fitting for the living room, and he reckons he can remove the old one and wire up this new thing. I think it's a job for an electrician.

What are your thoughts? Is it normal to install your own light fittings? Am I neurotic? Or is he about to install an imminent house fire??

Cheers!

[cruella]

Hi bluecat
My Husband is not too bad at DIY when pushed.
I felt the same as you when we moved house and he suggested that he fit the lights in the ceiling.
He fitted them without any problems. Think if you know what you are doing and how the wiring works, then there is no problem

[gina32]

he may think he knows, but should an accident occur, do you think insurance would pay out, no i dont think so

[buildersmate]

The usual hassle is with the earth cable. With a normal pendent fitting the circular 'box' on the ceiling contains a four way junction box - including the earth terminal - which is not necessary to use on a simple plastic pendant / lampshade. Assuming this new thing is metal, he MUST the casing to this terminal - there will be a wire provided on the fitting. The best way to do this is with a 5A choc-block from B+Q or similar. This job is not difficult - you insulate the choc-block when wired and push it into the void in the ceiling.

[goodlooking]

I think that you will find that if there is going to be a problem, it is more likely to be the confusion between Neutrals and switch Lines which, are in fact Live when in use although both are Black or in the case of a new installation Blue .
Best leave it to an Electrician it maybe cheaper in the long term

[crossroads]

Take some advice from me.
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I tried installing a light once and ended up at the bottom of the stairs on a strecher being carried to an ambulence.
"DON'T DO IT, ITS DANGEROUS AND IT HURTS."

[nightmare]

crossroads,
you only have yourself to blame for being stupid enough to work on a light fitting that was still live.
As with any electrical work -if you are not sure, get someone else who is, to do it. Mistakes with electricity often are only made once................