Loft Preparation - Electrics

Previously the loft had been used as a dump site for unwanted possessions. The previous residents, who had rented the property had left a variety of stuff that they no longer required including a selection of child's shoes and clothes (which were 'converted' into cleaning rags), broken Christmas decorations and a bag of snooker trophies. The first temporary source of light (there are no windows!) was an outside light in a strong case connected to a powerpoint downstairs with using an extension lead.

I intended to install proper lights connected to the existing wiring circuit. The wiring was fairly new and up to a modern standard (I think) as I believe it had been replaced after a chip fan fire (interesting what you find out from your neighbours). This also explained the newish plaster, paint and wallpaper which were much new than the house (1936).

The wire leads to 3 batten holders attached to the wooden beam along the highest part of the loft. To maximise the light I have not added lamp shades, however the light does not reflect much of the black roof felt. I might place some silver foil behind the bulbs

I placed the switch for the new lights in the loft by the hatch. I probably should have put the switch on the landing below with a warning light to show if I had left the lights on by mistake. However this would have meant routing the cable down the wall and there were already two light switches on the narrow bit of available wall on the landing.

I have used low energy bulbs. This reduces the effect if/when I do leave them on, but the loft is a good location for this type of bulb. Low energy bulbs get brighter (They don't actually heat up and this is what makes them low energy, they produce only light and less heat then normal bulbs) as you leave them on for longer. This makes them unsuitable for hallways and bathrooms etc, but you don't generally just pop into the loft. However you always need the light(s) on when you are in the loft and if possible you will spend a long time up there, eg. converting the loft or more importantly, driving around your finished circuit.

The wires for the lights on the floor below were all visible, but needed re-routing as they passed over the rafters, meaning they would be crushed when a floor was put down. I also wanted to place them so they could be accessed with the minimum of disturbance even after being covered with insulation and the new floor. The new wires are all routed along the centre beam of the loft.

Some of the existing wires were not long enough to go where I wanted so I added new wire. I also replaced the old junction boxes as they were made of Bakelite and the earth wires had been connected using chocolate blocks outside the boxes. The bare earth wires were insulated with green plastic instead of the current yellow and green.

I also used the opportunity to add extra wires for when I do up the rooms below (you have to get your priorities right, Scalextric circuit first). I have added the wires need for a light above where I intend to place my bed. There is one wire for the switch and one for the light itself. I have labelled them clearly so that I know what I have done as there is no way I will remember.