HELP: No earth fitted halogen recessed lighting

[jig]

Hi,

I have just had halogen lighting fitted in a dining room but the wiring had red and black and no earth. The lights have been daisy chain connected, with transformers then connected to the light.

There is no earth will this be a problem? Am I compliant? Do i need to rip the whole ceiling down to add earth from somewhere

 

[Albert]

You have to make sure that the continuity of earth is not broken, you can use a junction box (before each transformer) so to allow you to make sure the the earth in continued.
In many cases if the light fitting is double insulated you should not earth them, there are instruction on each light fitting.
If the outlet of the transformer does not have an earth wire do not add one.

I hope that you are aware that the circuit has to be tested to verify its (your) safety.[/u]

 

[jig]

You have to make sure that the continuity of earth is not broken, you can use a junction box (before each transformer) so to allow you to make sure the the earth in continued.
In many cases if the light fitting is double insulated you should not earth them, there are instruction on each light fitting.
If the outlet of the transformer does not have an earth wire do not add one.

I hope that you are aware that the circuit has to be tested to verify its (your) safety.[/u]

Hi Albert,

Thanks for posting. I am cocerned as the feed does not have an earth would that be a prob?

 

[Albert]

Your basic and very important protection is earth. Must be in the circuit.

 

[securespark]

Are they LV or SELV fittings?

 

[GaryMo]

Are they LV or SELV fittings?

The lights have been daisy chain connected, with transformers then connected to the light.

They would appear to be SELV.

 

[securespark]

D'oh!

 

[GaryMo]

Even though the fittings themselves don't require a CPC, every connection on the LV (230v) side should have a CPC (411.3.1.1)

 

[jason1958]

A not uncommon "Ooops".

You say the lighting was red/black & no CPC?
o Thus probably done to 13th regs, pre 1966
o Permitted with class-2 devices where no earthed metal simultaneously touchable

Your new lights should be on a NEW final circuit.
o This NEW final circuit would have a CPC provided
o This NEW final circuit would need RCD/RCBO protection under 17th


Obviously at some point in the future this NEW final circuit with earth could be used to "transition" each room to with-CPC as redecorated.


You can not really use the NICEIC/ECA get around with no CPC & new CU.
o In that instance you make the client sign a waver
o You also remove any class-1 fittings & accessories & fit class-2
o Basically returning it to ORIGINAL regulation compliance (13th)

You can run a 4mm 6491X back to the CU, but if you can do that then you might as well run a new cable so that argument is a bit suspect really.


So the best fix is a new final circuit for those lights, FTE.
That gives a migration path for every other room to follow.


Stick a warning label in the CU re the f.c. without CPC, no class-1 fittings.
Need yellow warning label for CU
"WARNING Circuit Nos xxxx do not have provision for earthing
metal equipment. TO AVOID RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT
REPLACE INSULATED LIGHTING FITTINGS OR SWITCHES WITH METAL
LIGHTING FITTINGS OR SWITCHES"