replacing a room light.

[outdoorman]

Hello I am new to site and so my first question is, I want to replace my living room light, with a new one, how ever on the new light there is an earth wire connection, but the old light does not have a earth wire, it is tapped up and not in use as there is no earth to connect too. The old light works ok. Thoughts on how to proceed very grateful.Thanks Kev

 

[knowall]

Hi, is the wiring in conduit ?

NA

 

[outdoorman]

Hi Knowall, thanks for your quick reply,no conduit, just two cables coming out of the ceiling with one black wire in each,one connects to the blue and the to brown. thanks

 

[Spark123]

It may work but it could give you a belt if you touched it with a fault present!
Some old wiring doesn't have a circuit protective conductor, if so then the two realistic options I'd look at are using a light that is double insulated or rewiring.
Can you upload some photos of the fixed wiring?

 

[riveralt]

just two cables coming out of the ceiling with one black wire in each,one connects to the blue and the to brown. thanks

Before you change anything mark the black cable that is connected to the brown light wire - that is your switch live.
I take it your new light is metal - in which case provided your property was built after around 1968 - your earth wire will run back to the Main earth terminal.
So with the power off you just connect the new light black cable (switch live) to the brown light wire/terminal and the black cable (unmarked) to the blue (neutral) wire/terminal.
Untape both earths and connect them to the earth terminal.
If you house was built before that date and you haven't had the wiring upgraded then you may not have an earth and you cannot use metal lights.

 

[outdoorman]

HI spark123, may be able to load photos. Riveralt house was built around early 1960's I can not see any earth wires at all just the two separate black wires. Thanks for all you replys.

 

[riveralt]

HI spark123, may be able to load photos. Riveralt house was built around early 1960's I can not see any earth wires at all just the two separate black wires. Thanks for all you replys.

Then it is unlikely you lighting circuit is earthed and I'm afraid you cannot use metal lighting accessories - that includes switches as well.
If this is the case then best option is to return to plastic or use Class 2 light fittings - this website is one of many that offer such lighting.
http://www.double-insulated-lighting.co.uk/?gclid=CKDk-quIlLoCFbIPtAod4B0AJw

 

[outdoorman]

Thanks everyone for their advice. I will get an electrician in at the week end to have a look and sort it. Again thanks to all for the help. Kev