Extend cable inside kitchen ceiling

[GB]

We have a fault in the cabling for one of our kitchen ceiling lights. The lamp I have just removed was running rather warm, and it's cooked the end of the cable.

I can't replace the cable without taking up carpets and loads of floorboards upstairs. And I've pulling on the cable, but it won't budge, so there's no hope of pulling a new one through.

My plan is to trace the cable back 30 cms to a sound bit of cable, make a hole in the ceiling, and extend the cable from there to the lamp. The idea is to put the replacement light in the same position as the old one.

So, some questions:

Are there any connectors I can use that are allowed within the regulations?

Are there any connectors I can use that are safe, even though not allowed within the regulations? ;)

I'd prefer a small connector, so I don't have to make a whopping hole in the ceiling. Any suggestions, please?

[The Natural Philosopher]

Crimp or solder and heatshrink

If you can solder do that. Finished result wont be much bigger than the cable you pulled out to extend - soon tuck back...

[Andrew]

Is selectively removing plasterboard ceiling more work to reinstate then ripping up flooring ?.

There are nifty attachments for a router that cuts a circular hole, and a special repair ring allows the round section removed to slot right back in with no need for faffing with noggins etc, if you decide to go through the floor.

even carefully removing square holes of flooring (drill pilot hole and use jigsaw cutter), can be quite easy to make a solid repair.

[Robin]

Can you persuade yourself/others of the need for another light fitting on the same circuit and then daisy chain from that?

If not (a) crimp connectors or (b) if you don't have/want to buy a crimper, Wago connectors - in a box if you want to be a good boy:

[GB]

Sadly, no. It would look all wrong. Is that the only way to stay within the regs?

I'm quite happy to shell out a couple of pounds on a Wago box. I thought it would be harder.

[newshound]

I'd also say Wago connectors are quicker and easier than crimps, especially working overhead on a ladder. And unless you do a lot of crimping, likely to be more reliable too.

Or, this sort of thing which includes the box

(several types available from various sources)

What I have never tried is the solder ring in heat shrink type connector. These look very good in video ads but I'm a bit skeptical.

[alan_m]

Wago?

[Robin]

Plus the Wago connectors :) I've been in Toolstation when people who only look at the pictures marched in to complain about that.

And I think the 2-pole 773 series will fit if you've some of those - with the 2 cables into the same end of the box. But it's a while since I used one so I may be due for a right bollocking when my homework's marked.

[Dave Liquorice]

Big Clive has done a teardown. IIRC the verdict was sort of work. The bigger question is are they mains rated...

[Brian Gaff (Sofa]

Obviously though, you need to sleeve each wire and the whole lot in heat shrink for the safety of the next person who comes along after you!

This from a person who has just remembered the chock block he pushed behind the convection heater blocking up the chimney in the living room. Ahem, well it was a good idea for a temp way to run four filament strip lights at half brightness cos I got fed up with them blowing. Brian

[ARW]

[GB]

That's smart. And because it's nil maintenance it's actually completely legal (within the regs) to hide it in the ceiling?

[newshound]

Interesting, though easy enough to put an extra bit of "rated" sleeving or heat shrink over them.

[ARW]

Yes.