Browse Forums Lighting + Lighting Design Re: Australian Lighting Wiring Question 2Jul 07, 2018 7:15 pm SaulSydney I am asking this as I like watching the 9Life channels. Never touched the wiring in my house. After spending my lifetime in my house I know the bones of it as any owner would after a lifetime. I am seeing in the USA that everything (light fixtures, switches and power points) are screwed in to a junction box. Is it just me? I have a house built in the 1950s in Sydney, Australia and the lights are just screwed onto the ceiling with no junction box behind it, the power points are screwed onto a bracket on the drywall and same for the power points. There are some insulated screw connectors behind some lights. Was this common in the 1950s? Is it common now? Is it safe? It's been like that for 68 years now. Thanks in advance. In the 1950's generally you will find exposed "train track" like installation (single insulation) wiring with porcelain cleats. The joins in the roof are exposed with no covers. It was not a requirement back then to have connections covered.... These days all installations are wired with double installation cable and all joins are covered with an insulated box (plastic) and screwed connectors inside. Standard light points (bayonet type) the single insulation should not protrude past the ceiling gyprock. All recessed lighting points are generally connected to a 413 (socket). All gpo's in brick walls have insulated wall box's to screw to. When the house is stud framed, you will find the joins behind the gyprock would be exposed, according to the wiring rules of Australia they deem this place inaccessible therefore this is allowed. I have also noticed on the american shows that yes there is a cover to each light, which is a great idea although would probably limit you to certain lights. I would say they make all their joins inside that JB also, it would just eliminate using them elsewhere in the roof space. In most cases the homes built in the 1950's would have been rewired to some degree as the original wiring would have broken down and maybe causing/caused faults. The train like systems are unsafe and should be rewired. The exposed connections are unsafe only if you enter the roof-space and are unaware of the installation. Best thing to do is switch the Main Switch off and have a look in your roof-space. Hope above helps _____________________________________ Building in Bedfordale Perth WA https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=89716 Churchman Brook Electrical Services EC 8659 Building Standards; Getting It Right! 1. optional, you can but normally just use the earth from the main switch board 2. should be enough but the distance determines voltage drop - sparky should work it… 1 29430 I have a really long hallway which is 1100mm W x 11500mm L I would appreciate if anyone can give suggestions to light it up with Linear LED lights that goes from wall to… 0 9334 What? It's a lighting question, the control joint is only needed at 12m centres, a bulkhead or change of direction will suffice as a 'break' in the ceiling, just make… 8 9012 |