Downlights for apartment

Hi,

Can I please have a second opinion on whether a ground level apartment can have downlights installed? One electrician informed me that you can't install down lights for ground level apartments due to something with the circuits or wiring?

 

"Circuits" is a bit grey, more detail?
Assumption;
Depending on ceiling variables you could possibly use bulkheads.

 

If you have any height to spare, you could use a dropped ceiling, maybe 100mm is enough.

 

Your right because circuits is just so vague and would like further details. Is it annoying for electricians to install downlights?

 

That's a good idea but would prefer to still have the same height if I can.

 

Circuit is still grey, but any job is annoying when there are easier one$ available elsewhere.
Being an apartment you possibly have a concrete slab preventing standard sunken install of down lights (unless bulkheads) therefore only have batten fittings.

There are many batten options available, check your local lighting retailer.

 

What are the current ceilings made of?
Is there a cavity there or is it concrete slab?

 

Circuit issue - can't chase the slab to install wiring. You need a false ceiling to install the lights or have exposed wiring.

 

Also received confirmation that l cant have the 4 in 1 lights for the bathroom due to the amp.

 

Being ground floor unit you will most likely have concrete ceiling.
Installing recessed light fitting to a concrete ceiling is a no brainer. It a can't be done unless you are willing to drop the ceiling height.
Again most likely can't be done due to minimum height required in habitable areas to be 2400mm. Having said this. I have seen it done. Further inspection would be required.
Also cost would be a determining factor.
Cheapest option would be to replace existing light fixtures new surface mounted type.

Bathrooms are different. Most bathrooms in unit complexes are already dropped ceiling spaces. Due to coinciding units above having plumbing that requires hiding.
You could have a 3 in 1 installed provided there is adequate room, generally a minimum of 300mm and also that there is the ability to install exhaust venting to outside atmosphere or ducted into buildings mechanical ventilation.
Amperage is not going to be an issue unless you already have 30-40 lighting fixtures on the same circuit and you generally run them all at once.

 

Go with the electrician's recommendations

 

Old units were designed in the dark ages.

Typically gas for kitchen & two circuits, one each for power & light.

You'll find that there's insufficient power for aircon as well. You will find it difficult to upgrade anything unless your unit is next to the switchboard, even then the board may not have capacity.

 

Finding that my tenants live in a much better home than I do with a backyard, new kitchen, renovated bathroom and so on. Going to start organising to get basic lights installed, checking to see if I can install the 2 in 1 lights for the bathroom, bamboo floors and custom kitchen. Think that should keep me going for abit and keep the other half happy.

 

I'm a spark. If your spark is knocking it on the head it means he can't physically run the wires.

In my ppor 60s unit I dropped the ceiling 110 mm and shadow lined it, recessed in the new led lights, used the same switch wires. Ran new feed to bathroom for ixl tactic.

With your bathroom you also don't have enough switch wires and running a new feed for the heat lamps is a problem.

 

100% possible to install down lights in ground floor unit! but as others have said you need to drop the ceiling and then get it sheeted. I did this to an ip in the inner west by dropping the ceiling I was also able to rewire the whole unit

 

great affect! When I did it was about 4 k to line and set. I painted and wired. The look was awesome, just like yours .

 

Yeah I was really happy with the result.

 

Sorry to dig out an old thread. How much ceiling height did you lose by doing this? Was this a DIY job? What tradie would do a job like this?

 

@smator