Fixing lights to metal ceilings???

C

changes

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Hi,

Does anyone have any advice on how best to bridge between metal ceilings (under bison slab) in order to fix lights - in the upstairs with ordinary joists I can use wood set between the joists and fix the lights to that? But i'm not sure how best to fix lights downstairs with the metal floating ceiling

Thanks
 
Hi
There are a few possibilities
It depends on the
1. weight of the light
2. Type of metal in ceiling
3. Is the metal earthed in the ceiling by the electricians? There has been a few problems with metal ceilings where electrical fittings have been fixed and the metal has conducted the electricity and basically was "live".
If the fitting is lightweight there are "zippies" screws which directly screw into metal or you can use togglebolts where you drill a certain size hole say 8 or 10 mm and insert the first piece into the hole which has a spring nut and then fix the bolt to this. The latter are available at electrical wholesalers as well as places like B & Q.
If your house is hollow core above the ceiling it may be possible to drill in to it for a fixing if there is not a big void in between .( Recommended if heavy fittings)
If you are not sure ask your sparks as it is electricity you are working with.
 
If you still have access to the ceiling the best way is to fix wood on top of the metal crossbars either ply or 4 x 2s then it is no problem. Earth it also.
 
Thanks kadumph,

Yeah I still have access to metal ceiling the plasterboard hasn't gone up. The wood across the metal sounds like the way to go.
 
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