Noob lighting questions!

Buildingourfirstnest · Jul 13, 2017 11:15 pm

I know people have said that it's best to install all downlights on the ground floor for a two storey build because of the lack of cavity space.

My two storey looks like this - the meals/living area on the ground floor extend beyond the first floor. Does that mean that it will be relatively easy for a sparky to add downlights after handover?
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Question 2 - if I'm hanging pendants above the kitchen bench, should I be indicating batten light points or downlight points if the bulbs are led?

Question 3 - if I intend to place a chandelier or statement piece in the entry way, is a batten light the thing to install? Same question with our formal living area - I want to install some track lighting to highlight art pieces and light up the room - what should I be installing? Batten or downlights?

Question 4 - anyone has tips on where they have installed two way switches? I'm installing one each on the stairs, in the master bedroom and entry/living. Would love to get more tips and suggestions from people here. We are living in a small apartment now and have never lived in a big house so any help is appreciated!

Sorry for the amateurish questions but I'm really out of my depth when it comes to figuring lights/power out!

Building a Clarendon Ferndale MK II

Berek · Jul 15, 2017 11:14 am

Batten lights for everything that's not going to remain a down light. The batten is strengthening that anything heavy takes the weight.
Personally hate 2 way switches. My OCD kicks in when down can be off or on....

arcadelt · Jul 15, 2017 11:17 am

Berek

My OCD kicks in when down can be off or on....

Me too! Fixed that by installing push-button light switches:

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Buildingourfirstnest · Jul 15, 2017 10:40 pm

Berek

Batten lights for everything that's not going to remain a down light. The batten is strengthening that anything heavy takes the weight.
Personally hate 2 way switches. My OCD kicks in when down can be off or on....

thanks berek, so that means the chandeliers and track lighting should be batten points right?

Berek · Jul 16, 2017 10:55 pm

Yes. Although depending on location, ceiling joists are fine. Make sure the builder knows how heavy the lights are.

Renman · Jul 21, 2017 9:33 am

Stick with batten lights where it's going to be replaced with something else post handover. It's cheaper to get a standard batten light than a Led downlight.

Also if any of the pendant or statement pieces are going to be big and heavy. Request to have noggins put in to support the light.

My KDR Metricon Hampshire - Liberty - 45 Melb

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Buildingourfirstnest · Jul 21, 2017 11:18 am

Thanks Renman. Would you know anything about roof access to the ground floor fixtures if there is no second floor on them (as per my plans)?

Buildingourfirstnest · Sep 03, 2017 11:54 am

If I only did prewiring for a fan and not a light, will the sparky be able to do install a fan and light combo?

Building a Clarendon Ferndale MK II

Renman · Sep 03, 2017 2:35 pm

Buildingourfirstnest

Thanks Renman. Would you know anything about roof access to the ground floor fixtures if there is no second floor on them (as per my plans)?

Once the plaster is up there's access from the ground floor.

My KDR Metricon Hampshire - Liberty - 45 Melb

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sparky_JsP · Oct 01, 2017 1:04 pm

Buildingourfirstnest

If I only did prewiring for a fan and not a light, will the sparky be able to do install a fan and light combo?

Building a Clarendon Ferndale MK II

No as it would require a extra core to switch the light separately. Depending on the construction of the home either being brick or plasterboard walls.

Brick: requires a conduit to install a extra core to existing switch unless the existing switch has enough cores to rewire to suit.
Plasterboard: Can be done as you can probably use existing wires as draw wire to install extra core.

Example: Toilet 1 x light & switch (Most builders do this if the toilet does not have a window), you can install an exhaust fan and have this separately switched using a switch multiplier if you can not get to the switch to add wires. It converts the existing wiring to 2 switches though relays.

Switch multiplier:
http://updates.clipsal.com/ClipsalOnline/Files/Brochures/W0001492.pdf

LiamMcCrink · Oct 02, 2017 12:56 pm

Judging by the drawing you posted, it seems there will be access in this ground floor area of your ceiling (that is if a man hole is installed for this area) It may be worth asking your builder if a man hole can be installed, as it will likely come in useful down the track when wanting to do work on your home. Even if the house has plaster walls, a draw wire may not be possible due to cables being clipped on timbers during rough in.

If there is no ceiling access after handover in downstairs area, I would strongly suggest having noggins installed in ceiling where you intent on installing chandeliers or pendant lighting that may be quite heavy, as it may not be possible to install these weight bearing timbers without cutting holes in your plaster. (Not always the case but saves any surprises later). Also as others have suggested, battens should be installed for any light point that is to be upgraded after hand over, as a downlight will leave a much larger hole and will limit what fixtures can be installed later.

Buildingourfirstnest · Oct 02, 2017 2:49 pm

LiamMcCrink

Judging by the drawing you posted, it seems there will be access in this ground floor area of your ceiling (that is if a man hole is installed for this area) It may be worth asking your builder if a man hole can be installed, as it will likely come in useful down the track when wanting to do work on your home. Even if the house has plaster walls, a draw wire may not be possible due to cables being clipped on timbers during rough in.

If there is no ceiling access after handover in downstairs area, I would strongly suggest having noggins installed in ceiling where you intent on installing chandeliers or pendant lighting that may be quite heavy, as it may not be possible to install these weight bearing timbers without cutting holes in your plaster. (Not always the case but saves any surprises later). Also as others have suggested, battens should be installed for any light point that is to be upgraded after hand over, as a downlight will leave a much larger hole and will limit what fixtures can be installed later.

Thanks Liam! I've asked the builder and they have refused to install a manhole as I've already sign the building contract :/ So I'll probably have to think of cutting it out after handover if I want to do work on the house.