How to wire a plug base for downlights

This video shows you the basics of a plug base, what the terminals are and how to wire in one cable or more. This example is not relevant to all scenarios because your house may be wired differently meaning looped at the light or looped at the switch. A video is coming soon explaining the two.
PLEASE READ THE DISCLAIMER BEFORE WATCHING.
DISCLAIMER:
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DO YOUR OWN ELECTRICAL WORK UNLESS IT IS LEGAL IN YOUR COUNTRY OR STATE. PLEASE CONTACT A QUALIFIED AND INSURED ELECTRICIAN FOR ALL ELECTRICAL WORK. ALL ELECTRICAL KZbin CHANNEL AND OWNER DOES NOT ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR DAMAGE OR INJURY/DEATH. THESE VIDEOS ARE FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES AIMED AT AUSTRALIAN QUALIFIED ELECTRICIANS AND APPRENTICES ONLY AND ARE AN INSIGHT INTO BASIC ELECTRICAL PRINCIPALS AND COMPONENTS.

[@scottrussell7659]

Magnificent job. Thank you so much. Great to hear some Australian content. Thanks mate

[@terryfoley67]

Great video and commentary, it is exactly what I have to do to remove old hardwired Down lights and replace with plug in led down lights. Many thanks 🤙🤘

[@allelectricalau]

Yep this video would of been very useful for you! Thank you for watching and im glad it was helpful.

[@paulabbott5298]

Very Helpful. Well explained. Thank you.

[@jingsun6238]

great job, that’s what I am looking for how to remove old wired downlight and replace with plug in led, thank you so much😊

[@allelectricalau]

Your welcome thank you for the comment please like and subscribe if it helped 👍

[@kiddy86522]

Thank you! Very detailed steps!

[@allelectricalau]

You're welcome. Thank you for watching!

[@JonathanDoyle]

Massive thanks for this brilliant video. You are a legend!

[@Ali_Al_Abdu]

Thanks alot, very helpful!

[@bonaminhrasmey42]

Great job, thanks for sharing your work. 😊

[@allelectricalau]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@wally4172]

Hey, could you please make a video on switchboards explaining the wiring and the differences between breakers, rcd’s and rcbo’s. Thanks and really appreciate these videos as a first year apprentice 😊

[@allelectricalau]

Great video idea! Thanks for watching!

[@Afamousperson]

@@allelectricalau I would also like to see a video on this. Thanks for your videos

[@1Odama]

how to do you terminate the circut on a led run lights (say 8 lights).... thanks for you genius electrical expertise .

[@ianneil6892]

Great video. This is very helpful replacing my batten light in toilet and bathroom for plug and play led downlights ❤

[@allelectricalau]

I have another video for the job your doing 😁

[@ianneil6892]

@allelectricalau which video would that be mate? 😁

[@allelectricalau]

@@ianneil6892 kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5Pbf6Snf8eDmrMsi=xFLUOPQu00aBj49R

[@ianneil6892]

@allelectricalau thanks 😊 Gone to change batton to outlet and the batton has 2x earths wired in (black) 1x positive wired in (red) And 1x positive and 1x active (green) looped (not wired into batton) No actives are wired into batton at all. Do I copy this set up from the batton straight to my new outlet, or do I need to cut these looped wires, strip them, and install them into the new outlet??

[@FernandoPerez-cq8cz]

Hi mate! Great video and commentary. Could you make a video how to install LED lights under the kitchen cabinets. Many thanks.

[@ross3d807]

Nice, detailed video! Thanks! Q: Maybe a silly question.... I've got existing downlights that run with transformers wired in (2 wires - A and N). Any problem with removing the downlights + transformers, wiring up to a surface socket and using downlights that already have a 2 pin plug?

[@Tigerratcat]

Hi great video on best practice. I was wondering, if I plan to link 3 x pedants to a smart connector and then into a pre-existing plug base. Is it legal to daisy chain 3 plug bases into a single 3 pin Flex and Plug lead to go into the pre-existing plug base?

[@a.kumar.5760]

Hi mate, very nice informative video, if possible can you please create video on installation of ceiling fan? Thanks

[@allelectricalau]

It's on the list

[@ow3n25894]

Thank you!

[@stephenc4161]

Helped me out big time thank you!!! Now it's DYIi not DIE lol.

[@Prizm44]

Thank you

[@mao5990]

awesome straight forward video mate. Can these be daisy-chained to multiple plug bases running to 1 light switch using 1.5mm for powering LED lights with plugs ?

[@allelectricalau]

Yes mate thats exactly how it works

[@patconnaughton2027]

Hi there, Can you talk about main switch connection in the future

[@MALITHA8]

Hey Mate, Appreciate if you can do a video to show how to convert a single lamp in a room to 4 or more down lights. Thanks

[@InstantKaarma]

Hi, I want to swap my mr16 downlights globes with gu10 downlights globes. I don't want to change the whole units just the globes. Now I have plug bases in the roof with transformers plugged in. Since the GU10 don't need the transformer and can be plugged straight to the plug base (240V) I will pull out the transformers, but how do I connect the new GU10 globes to the plug base? I hope you can help, thank you in advance

[@thecelt4807]

excellent mate cheers

[@allelectricalau]

Your welcome mate!

[@jimmyw168]

Hi All Electrical, thanks very much for the very informative post. You mentioned in the video that one can have a single cable, two or more cables wired to the plug base. Do you mean even four or five cables wired to a plug base should be fine? I asked the question because I noticed that some cluster of LED downlights are controlled by one single switch. In order to have an individual plug base for each LED downlight, the plug bases (say five LEDs) will have a single, two, three, four and five wires respectively. The plug bases here have 10A rating. Are there any bigger sized plug bases for the purpose of being able to host four or five wires? Cheers,

[@allelectricalau]

Hi first off thanks for watching! To make it simple imagine you have a switch with the wire going to the first light. In order to add another light off the same switch you can run a cable from the first light to the next and just daisy chain them. So you will have an in cable and an out cable at each light. Now the last light will only have one cable because thats the end of the circuit. Look the cables could all run back to one plug base and join them but that will be very difficult to fit that many in one plug base. This is just the basics and every house can be wired slightly different. If unsure i suggest you contact a local qualified electrician.

[@jasontan6655]

Great video, can the 2 cable method be used with the quick connect plug base or only the ones in your video? Thanks!

[@allelectricalau]

Yes it can but you dont cut the wires. It needs to be a continuous loop of wire so new installations. The outer sheath is stripped and the quick connect clamps down into active,neutral earth. You could then use these sockets in the video at the ends of each circuit where there is a single cable.

[@steveewen5438]

Cheers man just what I needed to do the job! Interested to know what is the purpose of the looping terminal, can you please explain?

[@allelectricalau]

Looping terminal is just like a connector. Commonly used if looping at the light. I have a video on this- How is your house wired.

[@1DamienJ]

Great video and explanation 👍 I’ve got a question about an older style switchboard with ceramic fuses from a 1990’s home. Do the plug in circuit breakers work the same as rcd’s and would it be acceptable to Australian standards to install plug in circuit breakers rather than upgrade the switchboard?

[@allelectricalau]

Great question! Under no circumstances should the plug in ones be considered a switchboard upgrade. Fuses and the plug in ones protect the cables. New rcd or rcbo miniture breakers do both protect the cable and people. Any detection of current going to earth will trip an rcd. I recommend if anyone has these old switchboards upgrade them or risk a potential house fire.

[@allelectricalau]

A house rewire and switchboard upgrade may be needed $$

[@1DamienJ]

Great thanks for clearing that up, I appreciate it

[@aaronelder5080]

Hi nice video because of access can you leave plug in ceiling roof or does it have to be mounted to timber frame thanks

[@allelectricalau]

No its does not have to be mounted to timber but you can if you like.

[@aaronelder5080]

Thanks for reply no real access to mount will leave up their thanks for you help

[@user-qi9qy9ph4z]

thankyou!

[@Shalk7]

Great video! I have a few questions. If I currently have a tube light, I believe one cable is from mains and one goes to the switch. If I take the tube light down, install the base plug socket and then take another cable from the existing base plug socket to a spot where I want to install a brand new downlight and install another base plug will that work ?

[@allelectricalau]

Need to be careful there because this sounds like your house is looped at the light. Which means there is ALWAYS power at the light! Even with the light switch off. In order to isolate it should always be done at the switchboard. Your permant active at the light would go into the looping terminal. Then the active to your switch would go in the active of the plugbase. An aditional light off the plugbase would also go in the active neutral and earth.

[@allelectricalau]

This is just educational and every scenerio is different. I always recommend to use a qualified electrician for all electrical work.

[@Shalk7]

Thanks so much mate!

[@noelhenderson8095]

can you explain the loop feature on that plug I am installing downlights and I am just curious what it actually does and how you would wire it

[@allelectricalau]

The loop terminal is a dead terminal it just acts as a connector. It is also used for the hard active if your power loops at the lights. I have a video on looping at the light that you can refer to. kzbin.info/www/bejne/haKnh2B_bbKheZI

[@panpanww]

May I ask where is the new cable connected with the existing system?

[@TH3PIONEER]

Great video. I am finding it very difficult to remove the clear backplate. Have tried various screwdrivers. Is there an easy method or truck to removing these easy? Thanks

[@allelectricalau]

Haha it can be a pain! Best way ive found is a flat screw driver in and twist the plasic tabs inside slightly and push.

[@TH3PIONEER]

Thanks

[@llewellynbehrens8505]

If changing from a old downlight transformer to a plug base, does it make a difference if there is no earth? Only active and neutral wires (black and red)

[@allelectricalau]

For downlights it's ok. If the light fitting is metal it needs an earth for safety.

[@stormer6364]

Hi Great video thanks.. just wondering how tight I should screw onto the wires? Are the screws on hpm base unlikely to cut the wires?

[@allelectricalau]

Finger tight plus a little. Give them a pull to make sure nothing pulls out. Make sure the screw bites into the copper and not the cable insulation.

[@stormer6364]

@@allelectricalau thanks for the reply, best Regards

[@schylertkatchew2659]

do you double them over for one wire going in. I've been taught to do so, im just questioning weather it helps or is good practice

[@allelectricalau]

I double it over. More copper for the screw to bite down onto making a better connection.

[@amparchitecture]

Great video, my electrician wants to use quick connect sockets instead of the standard 413 socket. Im concerned the quick connects are less safe and secure. Do you have a particular preference for one over the other? Am I being unreasonable to ask that my electrician use standard 413 socket outlets instead? Thanks

[@allelectricalau]

Good question! They are perfectly fine if installed correctly but the same also goes for the 413 surface sockets

[@amparchitecture]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Really appreciate you sharing your knowledge. I think I'll probably need my electrician to do a full rewire for downlights as I don't have an earth at the existing oyster lights (1970s). Existing TPS cables with red active and black neutral looped at the light. Too complicated for me but trying to understand it so I don't get taken for a ride.

[@Bipolarvideos]

a couple of questions. first, once that clear back plate is on, is it possible to ever remove it again. and also when it comes to folding back the exposed copper, is that a practice all electricians engage in? I found that on solid core wire it can break off over a long period of time. also, aren't you meant to break off one of those 2 tabs for the incoming cable

[@allelectricalau]

Thanks for your questions! Does the clear back come off? Yes it does with a flat screw driver and a slight twist on both sides. It is anoying if you have never done it but practice makes perfect. If you have one cable going into the plug base you should twist each core red,black and green and yellow and then trim the ends nicely then fold over the copper wire. If you have two cables going into the plug base you would strip all cables and match the colours then twist two together and trim the end nicely then terminate into the plug bases corrisponding terminal. You can twist more than two cores together for example you might have 3 wires at the light instead of two. That is common practice in australia and provides a good solid connection for the screw to make connection with the copper wire. Be sure to pull on all wires to make sure they don't pull out. With solid core wire the same principals apply but you just need to be gentle when twisting if you have two or more cables. No tabs are required to be broken those tabs are for mounting the plug base on timber so its not flopping around in the roof for example timber in the roof which your bathroom exhaust fan plugs into. It is not required to screw it into timber though. Hope this answers your questions!

[@Bipolarvideos]

@@allelectricalau thanks for that. okay new question 👅what do you do if theres 2/3 or more olex cables leading into the plug base, and the cover just won't go on. do you trim the white outer insulation back?

[@allelectricalau]

@@Bipolarvideos No you would nip the sides of the white plastic off and extend the slot to fit more cables. There should be notches on the surface socket to snap off if needed.

[@Mikadelosangeles]

What if you have an extra white cable?

[@cw4522]

Hi…. Wiring this base in to replace an old batten fitting. Only one light in circuit. Wiring from the switch is two core (red/white). Power supply cable is three core. In old fitting the red from two core and the red from three core were twisted together and fitted off in batten holder, then remaining black, earth and white (from two core) fitted off. Trying to follow same wiring into new downlight base results in the downlight always on? Switch has no effect. How do I fix this please?

[@allelectricalau]

Two joined reds would go into the looping terminal. The white into the active terminal the neutral into the neutral terminal and earth into the earth terminal.

[@allelectricalau]

Your house is looped at the light. This video explains it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/haKnh2B_bbKheZI

[@cw4522]

Thanks heaps!! Sorry I missed your other video when I was searching 😳

[@axnlogix]

I have a 2 x downlights in a room, 1 that is plugged on a single plug base and the 2nd is daisy chained to one without a plug base that has it's active and neutral wires running through an LED driver. Would it be possible daisy chain onto another plug base?

[@plakey2001]

What’s the max LEDs you would daisy on a standard lighting circuit?

[@allelectricalau]

Well LED lights have alot lower wattage than the old halogen ones. How many were you thinking? I would say apply common sense because a 10w led downlight is very bright so to many in one room may require a dimmer. But you could easily have 20+ on one circuit.

[@plakey2001]

@@allelectricalau 5.5 x 4.5 living room, so probably 4-6

[@allelectricalau]

@@plakey2001 yep that sounds good!

[@josephcini7691]

How do u take the back clip off once it’s clipped in?

[@allelectricalau]

Flat head screw driver with a slight twist and push.

[@frankbarletta571]

What happens when you have 40 down lights and some have the earth wire and some don't. I have some that just have the red and brown or black wire but no earth wire and some with all 3 wires

[@allelectricalau]

All lights should have an earth so if there is a problem it can operate a rcd. Any potential difference between active and neutral will trip an rcd exceeding 30milliamps in domestic situation.

[@Mobijub]

I have two 3 core cable A,N,E coming in then a double core Red and black (switch), how to you connect that to one of this base? It's off a baton light socket. The double core red is twisted with the A of the three core, the two 3 core Earth twisted together. 2 of the neutral (black) twisted together but the switch black was on it's own. Where does the black from the switch double core goes?

[@allelectricalau]

Switch black goes into the Active of the socket. All red 3 actives joined go into the looping terminal.. The two joined neutrals go into the neutral terminal. And all earths green/yellow go into the earth terminal. If you are unsure please contact a qualified electrician these are just educational videos and don't explain everyones scenarios.

[@Mobijub]

@@allelectricalau Thanks mate, actually figured it out after I posted this comment and did exactly what you mentioned. I was wondering why it was black instead of white and red. The extra black got me confused.

[@allelectricalau]

@@Mobijub Thats the problem with electrical you don't know who has touched it before and what they have done so every scenario is different.

[@Mobijub]

@@allelectricalau So right mate, thanks so much for the educational video. Top notch to see pro's like you helping out. BTW. Happy New Year for 2022, stay safe mate!

[@allelectricalau]

@@Mobijub You too legend

[@oxfoxx]

can I use wire ferrule at the end of the wire for good connections?

[@allelectricalau]

Not needed but nothing wrong with that

[@oxfoxx]

@@allelectricalau thanks

[@Sam-ul1ql]

Thanks for the video but just a question. Is this work legal to be done by a non-certified individual in sydney?

[@allelectricalau]

No its not legal but people will always do it anyway and atleast if they stumble across this video they may actually do it somewhat properlly. These videos are for educational purposes and they don't apply to all scenerioes. Contact a local electrician if unsure.

[@Sam-ul1ql]

@@allelectricalau Thanks. One of the downlight bulbs in my apartment just went out, and when I was trying to swap it out I noticed the electrician actually skipped the installation of the plug base. So apparently now my newly bought flex-plug downlight is useless until I change all the wiring.

[@allelectricalau]

@@Sam-ul1ql Older downlights use to be hardwired straight into the transformer. Nothing wrong with this apart from when a fitting eventually faults and needs replacing.

[@alexliakhov4792]

Whats the loop terminal used for?

[@allelectricalau]

This video linked bellow goes into detail about why the looping terminal is used. It's like a connector to join cables. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYjIdX-MhaqGnpo

[@georgioskambourakis]

BP connector

[@jaimie072]

How do you wire in the switch cables?

[@allelectricalau]

I have other videos explaining this check them out!

[@bonaminhrasmey42]

What's the loop connector for??

[@allelectricalau]

Just acts as a connector to join cables. My other video "how is your house wired" will explain this in more detail.

[@brodieedwards3639]

How do you then wire in a switch to be able to switch this plug base off?

[@allelectricalau]

I have other videos explaining this 😁

[@Boosted_Hotwheels-yp8gu]

@@allelectricalau Thank you, I have found them! Great videos

[@mets23q]

What happens if there is no earth wiring from ceiling only live and neutral?

[@allelectricalau]

Sounds like a old house with wiring from the 50s or 60s or even 70s. First thing i would advise would be a house rewire due to the age. Some older houses do not have a earth at the lights because it wasn't a requirment back in the old days. These days a earth is mandatory with no exceptions in new or added installations. A plastic light fitting doesn't require an earth due to no metalic surface so this might be good as something temporary until a house rewire.

[@mets23q]

@@allelectricalau so I checked some of the downlight wiring have earth some dont all lights are hard wired at this stage, is it possible to use earth from existing wiring instead of doing a whole house rewire and how much are we talking to do it there are 9 downlights

[@allelectricalau]

You could take an earth from another light yes.

[@leejohn4966]

@@allelectricalau the new downlight power plug doesnt come with earth prong.

[@allelectricalau]

@@leejohn4966 surely they would still sell them for class 1 appliances such as a rangehood that requires an earth because its metal.

[@Bozana7171]

I did that.. i have two led lights with two plugs.. but running from one switch, but only the first light switches on and not the second... what am i doing wrong?

[@allelectricalau]

Could be a broken cable

[@Bozana7171]

@@allelectricalau second one worked prior to me install the new lights. I'm removing the old cam lights throughout the house.

[@Bozana7171]

@@allelectricalau For some reason, youtube isn't allowing me to post links to my photos.

[@Bozana7171]

@@allelectricalau 1 and 2 is what I did. 3 is what my electician did a few years ago.

[@Bozana7171]

if you go to my account. I have photos there.

[@Colstah]

Great disclaimer, I'm sure no one who is not qualified would never attempt this. You also didn't mention the requirement to anchor the cable to the socket if it, and the associated cabling, isn't fixed in place, let alone following the manufacturers specifications and AS3000 regarding clearances of the soon to be fitted down-light from timbers and insulation. Then there's requirements for adding RCD's to an unprotected circuit if adding downlights, complications arising from connections involving switch wires and so on.

[@_tim]

What state requires anchoring? Qualified electricians have upgraded my wired lights to plug bases for LED downlights and none of my wiring or plugs are anchored to anything?

[@Colstah]

@@_tim As long as the wiring is is anchored to the socket, usually by a zip tie, then that's OK. This isn't necessary if the wiring and socket are fixed to (usually) the timbers in the ceiling (or any fixed structure). The point is if the wiring or socket are pulled apart then the wiring isn't relying on the terminals in the socket to remain connected. Hope that makes sense.

[@_tim]

@@Colstah It does make sense, thanks for explaining. Though my house here in Queensland that was built in the early 00's has nothing of the sort anywhere. The lights converted to base plugs by the previous owners, and the ones I've had done since are not anchored anywhere nearby that I can see. Would there be a requirement for the longer TPS length from the switch to the socket be anchored?

[@michaelmitchell8191]

there’s only 2 wires going to my light

[@allelectricalau]

Sounds like a old house and old wiring. Lights should have an earth. If this is the case i suggest a house rewire.

[@johnlennon1151]

This is all great and all but you're just encouraging more dodgy diy. It's illegal to be working on your own electrics guys, hire an electrician!+

[@allelectricalau]

These are educational only. Not all electrical situations are the same so I dont encourgage DIY jobs because of the danger. I agree to always use a qualified electrician. If someone does ignore the rules and seeks information these videos might keep them safe because they are going to do the work anyway with or without guidance.

[@efen3897]

Yeah nice telling D.I.Y people how to do electrical work, very smart

[@TradieTrev]

Cheap shit junk lol! I could pull them apart in my hands and get direct exposure to active conductors yet the ESO is careless!! Because it passes SAA standards!!?!?!?!?