Class 1 Light without earth on supplied plug

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Matt Woodroof

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Bought a wall light from Amazon which I planned to install plugged in to a mains socket. Went to put it up today, but found there was no earth in the wiring, just live and neutral.

The light has a Class 1 label on it, so my understanding is that using it like this would not be OK, earth is required.

The mounting plate even does have a ground cable to wire into the connector block, but doing this on the supplied cabling would not connect the ground to anything (see picture)!

The product page on Amazon has a question from someone about this (the instruction sheet does not mention earthing at all) and someone else has replied to say that the earth wire needs to be connected if you are "hardwiring" (I assume they mean installing into lighting circuit) but is not required if you are plugging it into a standard socket.

I think this is wrong, can anyone with electrical knowledge confirm whether I am right? Am I missing some reason why earthing is not needed if using a plug rather than "hardwiring"..?!

Thanks!

upload_2021-1-16_16-44-41.png
 
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The middle connector is likely on a metal tag connecting it to the base ready for the supply earth to be connected, so it should not be used without an earth.
 
If any parts of the fitting are metal, (and they look as though they are), then you need an earth regardless of how you are supplying it with electricity.
Send it back and make Amazon aware why you are returning it.
 
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Thanks for the replies. Thought so. Pretty shoddy that this is sold like this. Really annoying as the lights are really nice and exactly what I wanted and I can't find anything similar anywhere. All for the want of just fitting a cable with 3 cores they have made the product illegal and very disappointing. Aaaaaaaagggghh!!
 
It doesn’t look as though the earth connector is actually attached to the metalwork of the light fitting which is a bit of a concern.
 
Matt Woodroof said:
Thanks for the replies. Thought so. Pretty shoddy that this is sold like this. Really annoying as the lights are really nice and exactly what I wanted and I can't find anything similar anywhere. All for the want of just fitting a cable with 3 cores they have made the product illegal and very disappointing. Aaaaaaaagggghh!!
Click to expand...
If you like it then Keep it and replace the flex yourself
 
333rocky333 said:
If you like it then Keep it and replace the flex yourself
Click to expand...

I did consider this. Should not have to do this, but it might be worth the hassle as I really can't find anything similar anywhere. The lights have an inline switch which is moulded on, so I wouldn't be able to re-use that. I guess I could buy one... any tips? Would need to be black. Will take a look...
 
OK... So I think I could use a torpedo switch:


Along with some twin and earth cable, I believe this would then be safe and meet regs.

I believe all I need to do is replace the cable from the connector block in the picture back to the plug, and then connect the ground strap on the wall mounting plate to the other side of the connector block. Actually, this would be a very simple job... I don't have to change the supplied live/neutral wiring from the connector block into the light fitting, right?

Can someone confirm that would be a good and safe fix?

I am really loathe to do this, as I should not have to, and the cost of replacement cable and switches is annoying, but the alternative is more searching and I have looked for ages and am pretty sure I can't find anything similar I like anywhere, and these were quite cheap, so overall cost will probably still be better than any alternative I find...

Thanks for all your help everyone!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Tricky one this, there's a major difference between what you "should" do for the greater good, and what would be a practical approach that enables you to use the thing.

What you should do for the greater good is get trading standards involved, make a big fuss, and get somebody kicked off Amazon for selling dangerous illegal goods which other people probably wouldn't bother to question the way you have, and may, as a result, be injured. But that'll be a pain in the backside and doesn't actually help you much beyond getting a refund.

A practical approach would be to go buy three core flex and a suitable switch and just rewire it properly. Suitable flex and switches can be obtained from any decent electrical supplier, most of the main DIY chains, or the likes of Screwfix/Toolstation.

Sadly you can't really do both because option one would involve returning the offending light, or sending it to trading standards as evidence.
 
Yes, I totally agree! I was all up for doing the right thing and getting them pulled from Amazon, but I also really need some lights and if these can be made safe, they are my best option.

TBH, I am still going to email Amazon to tell them, based on that, they ought to get them pulled.

In the meantime though, would really appreciate if anyone can confirm that my summary above of a safe fix is correct, I think I am just going to do this...
 
Can you Put a link up to the Amazon light, we may be able to suggest an alternative, personally i have never seen something like that, it looks like a wall light poorly converted using the hole in the base, for the flex, maybe originally for a pull switch
 
I replied with a link, but it is awaiting mod approval, maybe that is standard for all posts with links? Don't know when that will happen, if it doesn't, search Amazon for "HOXIYA Retro Wall Lights" and it should come up, 2 x black lights for £55.

It is a nice light, and I really can't find anything similar anywhere. If you can find something, I am all ears! But I am now pretty convinced that a rework on it to make it safe is my best option...

upload_2021-1-16_19-12-57.png
 
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