I've noticed that most fittings that have those screws that go into the side of the base with a turn and secure-type thing need an earth connection. Alot of ikea lights are designed to not need an earth for some reason. Maybe have a look?
1960's house...
- Thread starter ldoodle
- Start date
I've noticed that most fittings that have those screws that go into the side of the base with a turn and secure-type thing need an earth connection. Alot of ikea lights are designed to not need an earth for some reason. Maybe have a look?
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/10230760/
it doesn't say whether these are earthed or not
it doesn't say whether these are earthed or not
Seems that BAS must be off tonight, so I'll do it.
Every single one contains either wrong or dangerous advice.
No more spaces on the CU - it's fully loaded.
Basically I want to put a light in the loft. I have found the last light fitting on the upstairs circuit, so was going to take a feed from here, run to light fitting then down to existing wall switch on the landing. Now I was planning on using 'crappy' pendants in the loft, taken from existing rooms (and replace those with what I linked to at Homebase)
The current switch by the way is brass, and there's a couple of gold plated lights downstairs - this one from the looks of it http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wc...ay?langId=110&storeId=10151&partNumber=645998
Guess who ever put them up didn't know, and seeing as this is a house where the previous owners blocked off an external door from the inside and left the uPVC door in situ rather than bricking it up, I doubt they've hunted for double insulated stuff.
times a million billion trillion zillion!Is this something a survey should have picked up - it's quite important by the sounds of things.
if none of the switches are earthed, i'd replace the brass ones with plastic and get some plastic screws if you're worried about it. Unless you want to rewire the whole house right now, extend the circuit to the loft lights with regular T&E as you've described and snip off the earth or put it into a connector block. If it's easy, you could just run a single (4mm) earth cable into the loft from the CU to earth everything, otherwise, shop around for some fittings that don't need an earth for downstairs. Surveys miss a lot of things btw, inspectors don't usually have any specialist knowledge, and aren't allowed to unscrew or investigate anything as far as I'm aware
Did you employ an electrician to provide you with a condition report for the installation?
Surveyors are surveyors, and know nothing about electrics, so all they ever advise it that you employ an electrician to check the wiring.
You don't need a spare way on the consumer unit. Your new wiring can run from an exisitng way.
Is there a socket near the loft? You could maybe run the new lights from there via a fused connection unit.
As for the existing unearthed metal switches, these should be replaced with plastic ones without delay.
It sounds like you really need to be thinking about getting your installation brought up to standards to ensure the safety of your family for years to come.
Surveyors are surveyors, and know nothing about electrics, so all they ever advise it that you employ an electrician to check the wiring.
You don't need a spare way on the consumer unit. Your new wiring can run from an exisitng way.
Is there a socket near the loft? You could maybe run the new lights from there via a fused connection unit.
As for the existing unearthed metal switches, these should be replaced with plastic ones without delay.
It sounds like you really need to be thinking about getting your installation brought up to standards to ensure the safety of your family for years to come.
Please stop saying this. You must NEVER do this.
As you've already been told, the minimum permitted size for a singles earthwire without mechanical protection is 4.0mm²
You still MUST run a functioning earth to every point in fixed wiring, regardless of the type of fitting to be connected to it.
STOP giving out dangerous advice on here. You're going to get someone hurt.
you're like that annoying voice in those self-checkout machines aren't you
Until you stop posting dangerous advice, I'm going no where.
No.
The thing is, having known this, we might not have bought this house. I've never heard of anybody getting an electrician to verify the circuits before buying. Or gas. Or brick/blockwork. Where does it end?
No.
I think RF meant to say 'run a new cable from the CU'
Lights are wired as a radial so it would be acceptable to have a new T&E cable, with the earth wire earthed, from the CU to the new light, running from the same fuse/MCB as the existing lighting.
Or use a spur from the power circuit on the floor below. (fused connection unit with a neon will stop the loft light being left on). As the wiring for lights often runs through the loft, it's convenient to have the loft light NOT on the upstairs lighting circuit.
Best advice you have given for the past few days!
I'd put obstinate professionals in bold
No - you're deluded and dangerous.
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