BS 7671

[frank999]

Hi

Can someone advise on installing LED strip lighting.

I am not an electrician.

If the 12V transformer for the strip lighting is installed in a Gewiss Junction box, with a 5amp fused plug on the end of a 2mt flex connected, it is connected to a length of LED strip lighting on the bench, which is inside a protective profile with a diffuser - can an electrician certify the wiring and provide the necessary documentation to confirm it complies , can I then take it off the bench and install this at a location myself.

Thanks

 

[EFLImpudence]

Unassembled ELV lighting is no longer notifiable in England if that's what you mean.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

If the 12V transformer for the strip lighting is installed in a Gewiss Junction box, with a 5amp fused plug on the end of a 2mt flex connected, it is connected to a length of LED strip lighting on the bench, which is inside a protective profile with a diffuser - can an electrician certify the wiring and provide the necessary documentation to confirm it complies,

So you have an enclosure containing a transformer and a plug on some flex connected to a LED striplights. My question is plug goes where?

can I then take it off the bench and install this at a location myself.

To me it sounds like a portable light, you can take it just about anywhere you want providing IP rating of equipment and enclosures are suitable for the location

 

[frank999]

Is that what LED lighting is referred to as, thanks.

So 12v LED strip lighting does not require any form of check or certification by an electrician ? does that apply to the wiring up of the transformer, ie putting a plug on the end of a piece of 2mt flex, and wiring up the LED strip lighting to the transformer, or would he need to cert that.
Is it OK to use bell wire to connect breaks in the LED Strip ? ie where it runs at floor level around a room - and then across a door opening. I assume bell wire is OK to wire up from the transformer to the start of the strip - is there any regulatory restriction on how long run this can be ?

I assume any runs of bell wire needs to be in some form of plastic conduit.

 

[frank999]

Umm, its a clumsy looking portable light I guess, the plug would be a 5amp fused mains plug, with the 12v transformer on the other end.

So if all Transformer connections are hidden in the box and the LED Strip in the plastic profile with the diffuser that is acceptable - what happens when I need to run cable (bell wire) - am I able to do that ?

 

[frank999]

If I need to quote this to someone:

"Unassembled ELV lighting is no longer notifiable in England"

Where can I find that information.

Thanks

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

http://www.diynot.com/wiki/Electrics:Part-P

What you are describing is DIY portable appliance, this should come under PAT testing.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Listen carefully -

This is a list of what used to be NOT notifiable of which

2. says Work which -
b. does NOT involve work on a special installation.

4. Description of special installation.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/2214/schedule/4/made



Now there is just a very short list of what IS notifiable which does not include ELV lighting.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Is it OK to use bell wire to connect breaks in the LED Strip ? ie where it runs at floor level around a room - and then across a door opening. I assume bell wire is OK to wire up from the transformer to the start of the strip - is there any regulatory restriction on how long run this can be ?

Yes, that is why, I assume, it did used to be notifiable.

The current at 12V will be 20 times that at 240V for the same wattage.
This may be alright with led lights but you will have to work it out.


It would be better if you lengthened the 240V cable.

 

[JohnW2]

Now there is just a very short list of what IS notifiable which does not include ELV lighting.

... unless it is in a 'special location', and I don't think the OP has yet identified that to us...

- can an electrician certify the wiring and provide the necessary documentation to confirm it complies , can I then take it off the bench and install this at a location myself.

Kind Regards, John

 

[EFLImpudence]

Yes, true but not because it is ELV lighting.

 

[JohnW2]

Yes, true but not because it is ELV lighting.

Indeed - installing (or adding, or altering) anything in a special location is notifiable, whether its LV or ELV, lighting or otherwise.

Kind Regards, John

 

[winston1]

Hi

Can someone advise on installing LED strip lighting.

I am not an electrician.

If the 12V transformer for the strip lighting is installed in a Gewiss Junction box, with a 5amp fused plug on the end of a 2mt flex connected, it is connected to a length of LED strip lighting on the bench, which is inside a protective profile with a diffuser - can an electrician certify the wiring and provide the necessary documentation to confirm it complies , can I then take it off the bench and install this at a location myself.

Thanks

LED strip lighting requires 12 volt DC. Transformers are AC devices so you cannot use a transformer.

 

[frank999]

OK, so even though the transformer sits in a box that is certified and PAT tested I cannot then connect bell wire up to it to drive LED Strip lighting.

I was referring to:
1) domestic situations (dwellings):
2) Exhibitions, Shows and Events

Thanks

 

[winston1]

OK, so even though the transformer sits in a box that is certified and PAT tested I cannot then connect bell wire up to it to drive LED Strip lighting.

I was referring to:
1) domestic situations (dwellings):
2) Exhibitions, Shows and Events

Thanks

PAT testing is nothing to do with what you do with it. You can connect your LED strips direct to 240v mains but they won't last long. Likewise you can connect them to a 12 v transformer but as they are DC devices they would likely be damaged.

It is likely that the device in your box is not a transformer at all but a switch mode LED driver which some idiots, including manufacturers, wrongly call transformers.
From Wikipedia:
A transformer is an electrical device that transfers energy between two circuits through electromagnetic induction. A transformer may be used as a safe and efficient voltage converter to change the AC voltage at its input to a higher or lower voltage at its output. Other uses include current conversion, isolation with or without changing voltage and impedance conversion.