Benefits of using a lighting electrician

By Luke on

Many years ago, there was not the vast choice of electrical light fittings that there is today. The ability to look up different designs online from shops all over the country or the world is incredibly easy. Every light fitting will have its own set of installation requirements and these may not necessarily line up with the wiring system that you have in your property.

As a local electrician in Bracknell, we understand that there are many different ways that a lighting circuit can be wired meaning that there may be hidden junctions, anything from three to 15 wires in the ceiling and various wireless switching methods as well.

The benefits of using a lighting electrician like ourselves will include:

Safety checks to ensure earthing is correct
Professional installation
Excellent product knowledge
Safe installation to the wiring regulations BS7671

Indoor lighting

There are a staggering number of choices for indoor lighting systems and fittings. Social media has brought us many inspirational ideas for indoor lighting schemes and we are able to install almost anything that you would like.

Whilst there are seemingly endless possibilities for indoor lighting, there may be some requirements that need to be fulfilled before a completely new lighting system can be installed such as:

Ensuring there is proper earthing to the lights
Checking the age of the existing wiring and consumer unit / fuse box
Junctions may need to be installed
Building Works

Proper Earthing to the Lights

Many light fittings require an earth to safely function and to be able to turn of the electrical supply if a fault develops. Whilst in many cases, there may appear to be an earth visibly there, without proper electrical checks and testing we cannot be sure the earth is unbroken and continuous to the fuse box and beyond.

Proper earthing does NOTHING for the aesthetic finish of your lights but will mean there are safety precautions in place should something unexpected happen.

Checking the age of existing wiring and consumer unit/Fuse box

In order to achieve a new lighting installation, it is often necessary to extend wiring and alter the electrics. Where a fuse box or consumer unit is very old, it may be necessary to upgrade components or replace the unit entirely in order to comply with current wiring regulations.

Try not to worry, we are here to help. We can check your electrical system for you to make sure it is safe to expand and introduce new lighting installations.

Junctions may need to be installed

Many modern light fittings will only allow for the entry of a single Line, Neutral and CPC (circuit protective conductor or earth). This can mean BIG problems, especially for DIY installations.

Where the ceiling lights have more than three single wires, it may be necessary to create a safe electrical junction above the light fitting in order to bring the three wires in safely.

Electricians will sometimes create a “Maintenance Free” junction using specific electrical products and methods so the junction need not be accessed later on. A Maintenance free junction is less likely to fail than a simple junction box.

Building Works

Where you have a grand lighting scheme design planned out, it may be necessary to have some building or redecoration works carried out in order to achieve the finished product. Internally, cables have to be hidden, buried in plasterwork, and made safe which may involve some remedial works to achieve the finished look.

Its important to consult us from the start of your redecoration or room renovation so we can talk you through the order in which things happen and where we need to carry out installations.

Outdoor Lighting

Improving a garden or yard space with a fantastic lighting design can bring the area to life. There are many different products and possibilities for outdoor lighting and we can help make all of them a reality.

There are some important requirements for outdoor spaces though and these need to be considered. As your local lighting electrician in Bracknell, we are able to run through your options with you. Safety and aesthetic considerations include:

Sufficient Electric Shock Protection
Adequately rated light fittings for outdoors
Maintainability and Access
Level of lighting required

Sufficient Electric Shock Protections

Needless to say, we are a very wet country. Outdoor spaces are subject to near constant drenching with rain and as such electric shock is more likely to occur when electrical installations fail. It is for this reason that we MUST ensure the electric shock protection is adequate when planning your outdoor lighting installation.

Adequately rated light fittings for outdoors

Not all lights can be installed outdoors. Those that can will also have specific requirements for installation to ensure that no dust or water can ingress into the lights.

The IP rating of the light fitting (or other electrical equipment) is a measure of how well it can withstand the elements and prevent the electrical fitting from becoming saturated with water or dust.

Outdoor fittings will have an IP rating, the higher the IP rating the better the product can withstand the elements and continue to work. Professional installation is a MUST under these circumstances to ensure that the IP rating is maintained.

Maintainability and Access

We get it, we hate to see electrical wires and junction boxes on show. Unfortunately, cables, junctions and wiring are necessary in order to achieve ANY indoor or outdoor lighting scheme. We always aim to achieve a ‘hidden’ look for aesthetic purposes BUT there are requirements that need to be followed to ensure that any wiring is maintainable and access is not impossible.

As a professional electrician in Bracknell, we understand your requirements and need for aesthetic perfection but we will also ensure that our installation is maintainable and safe according to the safety wiring regulations.

Level of Lighting Required

No-one wants a garden party blinded by overpowering lights so its important that we get the level of lighting right for your requirements. Speak to us about dimming modules, colour changing mood lighting and other special products so we can achieve the look you want.

You may love your new lighting installation but the neighbours may not so its also important to be able to focus the light where it is needed and be able to control it.