Installing a bathroom LED shaver light

Choochtown

Looking for a bit of advice here so thanks in advance.

Our existing light (strip bulb type) seemed to be a little hot around the transformer even when switched off so I removed it from the wall and found that it was connected to 2 cables. 2 browns twisted together and 2 blues twisted together. The bare earth wires were also twisted together but not connected to the light.

I decided to install a new LED shaver light. (230V). This one does have an earth connection. I assumed both cables were "live" so I chose 1 of them and proceeded to connect my new light. I taped up the other cable. After completing the task the light did not work.

It was then that I discovered that neither did the bathroom light and fan and 2 bedroom lights.

To cut a long story short it turns out that the taped up cable is "live" and the other one is a feed to the bathroom light, fan and the other 2 lights. I've checked and verified this.

I've attached a picture to show what I have at the minute. I've reconnected brown to brown, blue to blue and earth to earth as you can see. The cable with the tape around it is the "feeder".

I don't know who did the wiring but I assume that this practice is not normal?

Anyway, where do I go from here? Does a safe junction box exist whereby I can keep this connection and output a single cable for my new bathroom light?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Picture attached.

MoodeRator

But how was the old light connected to this?

Choochtown

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122426140#Comment_122426140

Thanks for quick reply.

The 2 browns were twisted together and connected into 1 side of a connector. Single wire out the other side to the light. Same with the 2 blues. Earths were twisted together and hanging loose.

(I've left them like in the picture for tonight so I can turn my bathroom light on)

MoodeRator

I personally would have left the twisted wires as they were originally on one side then connected light to the other side. (I am in no way qualified to advise on electrics)

Tow

You are over thinking things. Just connect it up the same way as the old light.

Choochtown

Thanks for replies.

I wasn't totally happy with the way the old light was connected as both cables and their connectors were forced behind it causing the back casing to break (as I found out when I removed the light).

The cables cannot be forced back into the wall and I am reluctant to drill a channel into the tiles.

Is it safer to house the connections in a junction box?

Could anyone recommend a junction box to house the connectors? Would it be better to source a weatherproof box given that this is in a bathroom?

Would it be common practice for an electrician to do this in order to add on a feed for other lights?

I should add here that I don't know who did the wiring. The light was installed when we moved in.