How to replace LED downlights?

Some of my led diwnlights are starting to flicker I've checked and they are just plugged into a socket in the ceiling you can buy them at bunnings but it says on packaging must be installed by electrician but they have a plug on them surely I can just plug them in?

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Comments

MikeTNZ

Hi @emmadave,

Welcome along to Bunnings Workshop,

The idea is that if there is no socket in the ceiling that you can connect to, you would need an Electrician to install a circuit for the lights.

However, as you already have sockets for these fittings, just plug away!

Cheers,

Mike T.

emmadave

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/19331#Comment_19331

But it says on the packaging must be installed by electrician. These downlight come with plug attached and there is a socket to plug into is this legal

emmadave

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/19331#Comment_19331

So it's legal for anyone just to plug in?

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/72334#Comment_72334

Hi @emmadave,

Can you please provide details on the product you're asking questions about? Typically, lights with plugs already attached are classified D.I.Y. and don't require an electrician. However, if the packaging says that they must be installed by an electrician, I suspect something else is going on here. Once you provide the product details, I'd be happy to look into it for you.

Mitchell

MikeTNZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/99521#Comment_99521

Hi @MitchellMc, @emmadave ,

I'd also be interested in what the packaging says, as this sounds really confusing.

Usually what would happen these days with new installations, is the Electrician that wires the house would install an un-switched single socket-outlet in the ceiling adjacent to where the individual light fittings will be and would also fit the lights as a rule.

The sockets in the ceiling are then controlled from the light switches in the rooms where the lights are, this is so much easier and there is no need to have to get an Electrician in, should one of the LED drivers fail (and lets be fair, some of them DO fail)

It is then just a matter of plugging in the new lighting into the socket provided and fitting the light fitting into the hole in the ceiling.

If you require any further advice, by all means, let me know.

Cheers,

Mike T.

emmadave

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/99521#Comment_99521

The led down light is Arlec 9w tri colour 5 pack they say tobe installed by electrician

MikeTNZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/116566#Comment_116566

Hi @emmadave ,

Is there any chance that you could please post a picture of the Instructions where it says you need an electrician?

Sorry to be a nuisance, I'm a qualified electrician and I think something is not right with them instructions.

Thank you,

Mike T.

emmadave

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/116565#Comment_116565

Arlen 9w led tri colour 5 pack. it seems to say on all led down lights similar to these the same must be installed by electrician. All are supplied with plugs on!

MikeTNZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/126356#Comment_126356

Hi @emmadave,

Do you have sockets like or similar to the ones they supplied you with, already installed in your ceiling for your existing light fittings?

If you do, ignore the ones they supplied you with and plug the new fittings into the existing sockets in your ceiling.

You only need an electrician, IF you don't already have sockets in your ceiling that will take the plugs on the light fittings you have bought.

Thanks,

Mike T.

emmadave

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/126355#Comment_126355

I will take a pic next time I’m in store as I’ve checked online and there isn’t all the info that in the box, like I said all there led down lights say the same, I’ve got one I bought from Woolworths and it says it on the box I can post that if that helps

MikeTNZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/132879#Comment_132879

Hi @emmadave,

I think something must have got lost in the mix here.

Could you please confirm that you already have some sockets installed in your roof void that the existing fittings connect to?

Cheers,

Mike T.

emmadave

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136899#Comment_136899

Yes

emmadave

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/132879#Comment_132879

Same light different brand

MikeTNZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136900#Comment_136900

That sheet is wrong.

If you have the sockets in your ceiling, you do not need an Electrician.

Cheers,

Mike T.

emmadave

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136899#Comment_136899

Same light different brand with a plug on it yes I have a socket in the ceiling nearly all the lights I’ve seen say the same usually in the small print

MikeTNZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139656#Comment_139656

Hi @emmadave,

Good as gold, just be careful up in your ceiling and remember to only stand on the timber up there (top plates and other solid timber), a lot of people have fallen through their own ceilings with a moment of in-attention.

Let us know how the result came out.

Thanks,

Mike T.

emmadave

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139655#Comment_139655

They all say the same I have not seen any that don’t say the same as you can see it’s clear on the box on this particular brand sold by Woolworths it’s the same on the box of atom down lights and all the others have it in the small print

emmadave

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/141536#Comment_141536

Next they will say we need electrician to plug in toaster bring back DIY

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/142946#Comment_142946

Hi @emmadave,

It's great to see that @MikeTNZ has been providing helpful assistance. You might like to consider our Arlec 9W Tri Colour Dimmable LED Downlight. It is suitable for a D.I.Y. installation as long as you have the 240V sockets in your ceiling ready to plug it directly into.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

MikeTNZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/143933#Comment_143933

Hi @MitchellMc, @emmadave ,

I was reading a thing from the energy safety division in Australia.

Apparently, that warning must be attached to all electrical equipment, irregardless of how it connects to the mains supply.

Which in itself is quite cumbersome and I think people (consumers) have every reason to be confused.

What is more, is that the product is supplied with socket-outlets, normally, if you didn't have the socket-outlets already installed, you would hire

an electrician that would supply, install and test their own provided sockets.

I think by supplying the sockets with the product, it is inviting people to do their own electrical work, as it is cheaper to do so.

I had no idea that there was a blanket ban on ALL electrical work in Australia, this seems pretty heavy-handed, as here in New Zealand,

you can replace like-for-like switches and socket-outlets.

You can also install new circuits or relocate them, provided the house has new wiring in it and you must have an Inspector connect it at the switchboard.

We use the same voltage over here as Australia and even as a Fire Officer, I don't ever recall a DIY person ever causing either a fire or shock situation

to people in any given house in the last 20 years since the regulations were relaxed.

Sorry I will get off my soap-box now.

Mike T.

bugs1dhjvjg

How can you tell if the integrated LED is plug and play or wired? I don’t want to pull it out if I can’t fix the light. We got it free through the VIC Govt program maybe 10 years ago.

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/53791#Comment_53791

Hello @bugs1dhjvjg

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your LED lights.

I'm currently unaware of a method to tell if the LED is hardwired or a plug in type just by looking at the front face. I'm afraid the only way to tell is to remove the light and look inside to see what type of connection the LED has.

Let me call on our experienced members @CSParnell and @MikeTNZ for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

CSParnell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/89120#Comment_89120

@bugs1dhjvjg @EricL

They look like integrated plug and play to me but saying that some of these also had the ability to hardwire direct into the terminals. Unfortunately the only way to know is to turn the lights off at the switch or at the breaker in the switchboard and pop one down and check. Fingers crossed they are plug and play. Sorry I can't be definate from a photo.

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/110324#Comment_110324

Hello @emmadave

Just to reiterate what @CSParnell has mentioned. In the interest of health and safety, please make sure that the light switch and breaker are in the off position when you check your LED connection. If it is hard wired, I suggest engaging the services of a licensed electrician to change your LED to plug in types.

Eric

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