Lighting circuits

Loop at the light

The main method of wiring lights is to use the 'loop at the light' method. Batten and rose light mountings provide additional blank terminals used to join (loop) wires. In most lighting installations 3 core thermoplastic sheath (TPS) cable is used to supply power directly to the light mounting. The active is directed from a loop terminal to the switch via one conductor. Then the switched circuit is directed back to the lamp in a second conductor. Either two single core, or one double core TPS cable is used for this function.

From the light mounting, power can then be looped to other lights in the same circuit or to other separately switched lights. The following diagram shows an example of two lights that share the same supply cable but each have their own switch. Both have been wired with the loop at the light method.

Looping at the light

 

Another method that can be used in particular situations is the loop at the switch method. An example is shown in the following diagram.

Looping at the switch