Browse Forums Lighting + Lighting Design 1 Jul 02, 2009 2:38 pm Hi All, We are building our first house in WA Perth. We have our prestart pretty soon and wondering how to fit down light + dimmer + flour cent lights. Thinking of getting the builder to install junction box only and later get a sparky to install downlights. I am thinking of dividing the downlights into 2 banks and control them each with a separate sw. Do we need 2 junction box, each wired to a separate switch? What provision do we need to make to also have a flour cent lamp in the same area. So that we can have 3 light options for the same area. Thanks Tama Re: Wiring downlights into 2 banks?? 2Jul 10, 2009 7:55 pm I'm surprised a sparky hasn't already responded... If you want two banks of downlights, separately switched, then yes, you'll need two junction boxes in the ceiling, each controlled from a separate switch. If you also want fluros in the same room (whether it's recessed compact-fluros or 4-foot 36w fluro's, it wont matter) then it's just a matter of having a 3rd junction box running off a third switch. The dimmer doesn't require another junction box; it just connects in series with the switch for the lights you want to dim. You can't use 1 dimmer to dim two separately-switched banks of downlights, though (unless you are going all-out, and installing an expensive intelligent-lighting system like Clipsal C-Bus or Dynalite etc), and you're not going to be able to dim the fluros unless you get special (more expensive) dimmable compact-fluro globes. The trickiest part is usually getting the wires from the ceiling space to the switches after the walls are sheeted-up, so if the junction boxes are put in the ceiling with the switch wires run down the wall, that'll make it alot easier for the sparky to connect up whatever lights you want to the switches... If it's a two-storey house, then it's virtually impossible! Good luck! Re: Wiring downlights into 2 banks?? 3Jul 25, 2009 11:59 pm Hi there Tama, The lighting inspector has beat me to it. And i must say, it is an excellent response. Sorry, my wife has just had a baby i've been a little slack, but now back to it. Re: Wiring downlights into 2 banks?? 4Sep 05, 2011 3:39 pm installation inspector I'm surprised a sparky hasn't already responded... If you want two banks of downlights, separately switched, then yes, you'll need two junction boxes in the ceiling, each controlled from a separate switch. If you also want fluros in the same room (whether it's recessed compact-fluros or 4-foot 36w fluro's, it wont matter) then it's just a matter of having a 3rd junction box running off a third switch. The dimmer doesn't require another junction box; it just connects in series with the switch for the lights you want to dim. You can't use 1 dimmer to dim two separately-switched banks of downlights, though (unless you are going all-out, and installing an expensive intelligent-lighting system like Clipsal C-Bus or Dynalite etc), and you're not going to be able to dim the fluros unless you get special (more expensive) dimmable compact-fluro globes. The trickiest part is usually getting the wires from the ceiling space to the switches after the walls are sheeted-up, so if the junction boxes are put in the ceiling with the switch wires run down the wall, that'll make it alot easier for the sparky to connect up whatever lights you want to the switches... If it's a two-storey house, then it's virtually impossible! Good luck! With the junction box itself, is it better in terms of future downlights installation and location, to install in the roof/ceiling space or in ceiling where you can see from inside the house? Im just concern if junction box is incorrectly located to a point where I dont want downlight to go into such as in the middle of double vanity basin. Say you want each downlight to go above the basins. With dimmer, can it be installed afterwards provided that downlights are dimmable. Does this mean that dimmer switch will have its own switch next to lighting switch? Was trying to organise elec plan for my appoint ment in a couple of weeks time. Any help would be appreciated. Hi Tama, How did you go with your elec appointment? I use Tramex moisture meter and it will tell me instantly if the wall is cement sheet or plaster or masonite but most people dont have the equipment. 5 7045 the step up is 30mm and wanting it to be flat . how much does the concrete have to be lowered .we plan on removing bath and lenghten shower and adding seat. the old bath… 0 11828 8 6119 |