Very early on in the British electrical industry it was decided to standardise and simplify everything as much as possible for uniformity and safety.
The "ceiling rose" is a clever little junction box that we probably take for granted here, but it makes the lighting wiring very straightforward and versatile. Even if it's removed and replaced with a junction box above the ceiling it still results in a standard wiring arrangement to work with.
It's not just a junction box though. It also acts as a decorative and accessible base for a fixed or hanging pendant lampholder and can accommodate quite heavy light fittings like tiffany glass shades. The screw-on cover can also be painted to match the room decor if desired.
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11 thoughts on “British home wiring. the incredibly simple lighting circuits.”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars amy jo jinkerson says:

    I get a laugh at they way they talk

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Sean Dempsey says:

    Hi Clive .great video, the wago junction box is a maintenance free JB but it is only classed as maintenance free when you sill the lid with a cable tie , also wago connectors are only classed as maintenance free connection’s when used in conjunction with the correct wago junction box. Personally I think wago are a godsend they have proven tobe a game changer. Also the cable to the switch I was tort it is termed as Red / brown switch line / feed black/blue is the switch return. Now it is termed as brown is line blue is switching line . The biggest problem DIYers have is they don’t realise that on a three plate lighting circuit there is no natural at the switch. Unless you take the feed to the switch and that is only used for two plates circuit and is becoming more common with the use of LED downlights.

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars BedsitBob says:

    I've just bought a light switch, to replace one that's on its way out and, instead of being marked Com, L1 and L2, it's marked Com, 1 Way and 2 Way.

    Maybe it's another change in the regulations. 🙄

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Janet Sutton says:

    HOW DO YOU CHANGE A SCONCE LIGHT WIRING FROM BRITISH TO AMERICAN

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Steve Jones says:

    With the advent of "smart switches" requiring a permanent neutral, then many new properties have the live feed cable looped through the light switches, not the ceiling roses. For that matter, a lot of properties have down lights in some rooms, so there isn't a ceiling rose, so would need a separate junction box (unnecessary if you loop through at the lighting switch). However, looping through the light switches does make the back boxes rather "busy", so they need to be a bit deeper.

    There is an alternative to looping through the lighting switches an provide a permanent neutral at the switch, and that's to use four core cable to the switch (line, switched line, neutral and neutral) and still loop through the ceiling rose (or a junction box) and it might be possible to retro-fit if the cable to the switch is in conduit or in a stud wall and you can get to the topside (easy on the top floor, more difficult for lower floors).

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars BedsitBob says:

    Instead of a bit of regular sleaving, for earths and switch lives, how about some suitably coloured heat shrink sleaving, so it wont slip off, when the wire is disconnected from the terminal?

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Mukund Solanki says:

    Nice

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Alex Vir says:

    The way you are wireing your swiches is in germany called "Sparwechselschaltung" wich would translate to economy swiching circuit.
    The way we do it is first swich common terminal L and the other two are connected directly to the same terminals at the second swich where the common terminal is connected to the lamp. Inserting intermediat swiches is done very much the same, connecting to the same terminals.
    (looking up "Wechselschaltung" will show pictures on google)

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Darren Glynn says:

    I like the mk 4'way lighting junction box design and I hate the (Loop in system) as I find it bloody confusing..

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars carlu bambi says:

    I don't know how they get away with this plastic junction boxes ,even using AFCI breakers and GFCI breakers .Especially at 220v the arcing is so bad I don't know how fast the arc flash will be quenched before the breaker trips .We use metal boxes for most construction and we still have issues with arcing at 120v .Baseboard heaters and loose or improper connections being the major cause .10% of most household fires are caused by rodents ,the kitchen stove is the major cause .

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Nic Most says:

    A jealous security guard, working for Ernest Jones, ratted me out and called the Metropolitan Police on me. I was taking a Bretling watch to be valued by the jewellers for insurance. I was asked to put the Stanley knife in my car. Just wanna know mr. poloiceman, how in your small minds is that safer than on my person, since you can easily break into the vehicle stealing a knife without resistance from me????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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