ES and SES polarity checks

[whatif]

Can anyone tell me if there is anything simple available for testing polarity on es and ses light fittings live?? I was thinking along the lines of a screw in unit which would indicate if polarity was correct

 

[ryanj]

A multimeter?

You'd need to find something earthed, connect one lead of your multimeter to that.

Then carefully, use the other probe to check the light fitting. The neutral should be less than 5v, while the live one will be 230-250v.

 

[breezer]

i would not suggest a multi meter, (not by putting it in the light fitting) as the connections are very close to each other, one slip and ...............

 

[ryanj]

..BANG?

Doesn't the light fitting have L & N marked where the wiring goes?

 

[plugwash]

the problem is this isn't DC and there is no earth connection so you need a test reference

what you need is a pair of leads

on one end of the leads you have plugs ofr your multimeter

on the other end of one you haev a ocnnection ot the earth terminal of a plug

on the other end you have a connection to the centre pole of an ES cap

with a bit of care it should be possible to remove the cap from an es bulb break away the remainder of the glass and glue it to a bar of something insulateing (pvc conduit is the most appropriate thing i can think of that is easilly availible)

 

[plugwash]

another way would be to hook up a small battery to the lighting cuircuit (eith it isolated of course)

and the just mesure the polarity of the dc from the battery with your multimeter

 

[dw3101]

i would just use a set of test lamps from the earth connection at the cable to the fitting, and ensure I didnt slip.

I have a set of cyclim test lamps, have lamp failure indicator and work from 0 - 1kv dc or ac.

only reference I can find is http://www.ewbuyersguide.com/company-81020989.html

David

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Why not get busy with some lamp bases, test leads, soldering iron and epoxy potting compound?

 

[fubar]

Why not get busy with some lamp bases?

Does no-one sell BC and ES plugs anymore? ISTR some concerns about people using the BC type as an inline connector but one would have thought that someone would make them available to electricians.

 

[securespark]

..BANG?

Doesn't the light fitting have L & N marked where the wiring goes?

But there's nothing to say that the conductor connected to the L terminal is carrying the phase......

Never seen an ES plug, but I have a BC one if you're desperate....

 

[whatif]

Replying to my own query..........one of the small screwdrivers which light up when you touch the end on 240v does the trick, just make sure it is insulated with just 3mm exposed at tip.

 

[Lectrician]

Polarity should be a dead test any how.

 

[DESL]

Polarity should be a dead test any how.

I agree (R1+R2) Method 1 will check polarity on ES lamp holder.

Test leads across cpc in rose and centre conductor of es holder

 

[ricicle]

Replying to my own query..........one of the small screwdrivers which light up when you touch the end on 240v does the trick, just make sure it is insulated with just 3mm exposed at tip.

 

[bernardgreen]

Replying to my own query..........one of the small screwdrivers which light up when you touch the end on 240v does the trick, just make sure it is insulated with just 3mm exposed at tip.

NOT RELIABLE.......

It may light up on the neutral if the "earth reference" which is your body is nearer to Live potential than earth due to you being close to live cables.