hi guys, i have installed all my own light fixtures in my house.

my scenario is that i want to have one switch turn on two lights (example : two pendant lights from the ceiling) although there's only one set of wires (L,N,E) or "daisy chain"

my questions are these :

1) how do i add an extension of wires for the next light from one light
2) how can i be sure that two lights won't cause the wires to overheat and melt , causing a fire? (am using two 14/18 watt energy saving bulbs for 2 lights)


Appreciate your responses!

Just branch out from that light point. L to L, N to N and E to E. You can see the light wire got a socket. branch from there.

Normal wire is more than enough and won't overheat. Cause light using very low amp. A 18W bulb is only using 0.075amp which the wire can carry 10amp.

Lights got no Earth(E) connections.

ahh understood! i just found out it's called Parallel Circuit (some form of daisy chain).

what do you call that plastic thingy that joins the wires? and if i want to buy more wires for my lights, what should i tell the hardware shop?

thanks guys! this is very helpful!

that call wire connector lo, got screw one

normally u can just twist to connect the wire + wrap it with isolated tape, it is enough for light at home.

I don't like that type of method. If i do extension, I'll use wire tap. much neat and easy. Can get @ Ace hardware.

Something like below.

http://malaysia.rs-online.com/web/p/crimp-terminals/4677014/
http://malaysia.rs-online.com/web/p/crimp-terminals/1185708/

Normally the electrician will just use the wire connectors since they are mostly hidden in the ceiling Much cheaper than the Crimp connectors.

there are white connectors are called wire connector terminals

last time secondary school KH class also got use

Yup. Cheap cheap. Only RM1 per pc

sifu's, what is the max number of lights and fans that can be connected to a single switch? i think the wiring is 2.5mm...

Is not about max number of light, but max number of Watt. 2.5mm, you can load until 3000 Watt. But your light switch if not mistaken is rate at 10Amps only, so is about 2400watt.

This post has been edited by weikee: Aug 27 2011, 02:19 PM

1. Loop from A to B L-L and N-N, if have Green then loop the same.
2. Normally 1.5mm for lighting should be more than enough.

Try not more than 6 downlight...

All light fitting should be grounded (green wire) if you don't have one, your wireman just cheated you off it. The green wire should be connected to your light fitting's frame.

most probabaly you will be expecting more than 3 wires. either its 1L, 1 N, 1E or 1L,2N,2E or 2L,2N,2E. Ideally, each light point shouldn't have more than 2 wires for each of L,N or E. This is to make sure easy future trouble shooting for the electrician and the wires can easily terminated to the light fittings.

Light fitting wires are typically 1.5mmsq. 2.5mmsq and above are use for higher wattage fittings such as flood light. Just ask for 1.5mmsq single core PVC cable when u are in the shop.

For 1.5mmsq lighting circuits, each circuits can carry for max of 10amps, anything more, either the cable burn or the switch will. To play it save, u should load it not more than 70% of the max carry amps. generally, advisable to load not more than 15 light points

very informative..thanks for the expert advice..