I replaced a halogen security light with a LED version about a year ago. I mirrored the wiring and all went well until a few weeks ago when it kept tripping the fuse board in my garage. I checked it out for water ,tightening the connections while I had it open. The earth from the 3 core input seems to have no where to go and is taped off. Could this be the problem? I could upload a picture if I knew how!
Connecting a LED security light.
- Thread starter johnFbrown
- Start date
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You seem to have excluded most causes other than a faulty light fitting. Is it an RCD (with a test button) that is tripping?
No. The earth wire "having nowhere to go" is normal for such light fittings. The only thing to check is that this 'taped up' earth wire is not able to touch anything else; it would be better to put it into a little bit of connector block, to make it 'safe'.
Kind Regards, John
It is a Memshield RCD and has a test button. The main switch will not longer engage if the switch for the security light is in the on position. I will try a better solution on the loose earth wire. Thanks for your help. If this does not help I guess it is a new light?
Have you investigated the switch and cables within the enclosure of it.
Puzzled why no earth terminal on the fitting, all LED security lighting I have fitted have a terminal for the CPCs.
Puzzled why no earth terminal on the fitting, all LED security lighting I have fitted have a terminal for the CPCs.
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I there any way I can upload a photo?
Yes, take photo, save it on your PC as a JPG file and just drag it on to the text reply panel.
Simples!
Simples!
As with many Class II items, I've certainly come across a good few which don't have any terminal for a CPC (and often hardly enough space for a bit of connector block!). Experiences clearly vary.
Kind Regards, John
I have taken the pic on my phone and I am posting via my phone using the App. I do not seem to be able to drag from within the photos folder.
Copy and paste, maybe. I've never tried it from one of those new fangled phone things...
Well I have managed to get the picture up at last. This will help I hope?
Could someone have a look at the picture I posted and comment please?
All the external LED security lights I have fitted, all have a CPC terminal, never ever seen a class II fitting of this type, but never had specify one.
It would be wise to place the CPC in a terminal block, rather than have it taped up.
I assume the switch allows you to either have the sensor on or the light on when desired.
If so wiring looks fine, I assume no evidence of water ingress?
I would be taking a look at the seals around the enclosure of terminals, sensor and lamp.
Then the switch needs to be looked at.
Interesting. What happens with the all-plastic ones, then? If there's no metal to earth, they can't be Class I. If they're not Class I and they're not Class II, then what are they? Illegal?
Kind Regards, John
TBH never fitted a plastic LED external light, always been metal. Luckily I have always had a cpc present or been in a position fit one.
My comments are nothing to do with class I versus class II or the legality of fittings. I have simple not come across an LED external light that does not have an earth terminal!!!
I am not suggesting they do not exist, never needed to spec one!
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