The electrical cable in my lounge roof is not long enough for new light...

[DaveGray]

...fitting, any ideas? Ok so I have just moved in and i have taken down the glass/metal light fitting that the last owner had up in the lounge. I just wanted to put up one of those standard plastic lamp holder fixings but the length of electric cable left in the roof isn't long enough to connect to it.

any help would be great.

 

[rdoan71]

Listen to Derick. Don't listen to Jason M. Derick is correct. Jason M must like to start fires.

Crimp fittings are a last measure resort. Every point of weakness can become a point of heat. "Pulling on the cable" to see if you can pull "clips" loose is also ridiculous advice. If they are metal staples, you can skin the wire also creating a potential fire.

 

[JasonM]

The best thing is to use crimps to lengthen the cable. Get yourself a length of the same type of cable, some crimps (blue ones will do the job) and a crimping tool (borrow one because they're expensive to buy). Join the cables together and either: wrap in self-amalgamating tape or heat-shrink tape; or enclose using a Choc-Box terminal holder if you have room in the ceiling. The first option allows you to move the cable in and out of the ceiling to adjust the slack.

Before you start, have you tried giving the cable a bit of a tug to remove any clips which may be in place, in order to give you a bit more cable?

Good luck

EDIT: So, Rdoan71, you think crimps are a last resort? You think screw terminals are more effective? And you also think that a junction box with no strain relief is a safe way to join a cable? Great advice. Crimps are a much better way to join a cable than using a junction box, and if you use a Choc-Box over the join you will also be able to clamp the cables as per the electrical Regulations. And if you are going to use quotation marks, then please don't paraphrase. I didn't say what you quoted I said. And yes I do like starting fires.