Pls see photos. Will it be a simple matter of wiring to new fitting or is 'earth' missing?
Tnx.
Tnx.
ceiling light replacement
- Thread starter notaplumber1
- Start date
It is conduit wiring.
There is no separate earth wire shown in the photo, an earth MAY be provided by the conduit itself (through the brass screw).
BUT
You would need to determine (with a test meter) that this really is an earth connection.
Does your new light fitting need an earth?
There is no separate earth wire shown in the photo, an earth MAY be provided by the conduit itself (through the brass screw).
BUT
You would need to determine (with a test meter) that this really is an earth connection.
Does your new light fitting need an earth?
I thought we highlighted the missing earth problem with your last post - use the same method to resolve this missing earth - you did resolve it didn't you before fitting that new light?
Also the question of what type of new light you were fitting was not answered then - perhaps you can answer now as TTC requested!
For this one the two red sleeved cables are your live loop - your white sleeve is your switch live - your un-sleeved cable is your neutral.
FWIW, the age of your current lamp fittings suggests you will not have an earth on the lighting circuit.
So either you fit new 4mm² earthing cable from the Consumer Unit earth terminal to the lighting circuit or you fit Class 2 light fittings only.
Also the question of what type of new light you were fitting was not answered then - perhaps you can answer now as TTC requested!
For this one the two red sleeved cables are your live loop - your white sleeve is your switch live - your un-sleeved cable is your neutral.
FWIW, the age of your current lamp fittings suggests you will not have an earth on the lighting circuit.
So either you fit new 4mm² earthing cable from the Consumer Unit earth terminal to the lighting circuit or you fit Class 2 light fittings only.
It was suggested in a previous post that this is Pyro.
Tnx for advice. I have not bought new light fitting yet. I was investigating the wiring first b4 going any further. Really appreciate response. Thanks again.
Okay - that's good to hear a sensible approach is being taken.
Houses built prior to the mid 60's invariably didn't have earth connections for the lighting circuit.
The general advice is two fold. Either stick to Class 2 (double insulated) light fittings and switches - your plastic ceiling rose and your plastic light switches are Class 2.
Most metal versions of either light fitting or switches are not allowed. However, recognising this problem several websites now sell Class 2 products which are a little less boring then the bog standard ceiling rose and switch.
This is one of them..
http://www.double-insulated-lightin...vdPTVAuP3hXIBRWk0YiMHNCQg1l2pnGYIoaAlED8P8HAQ
Or alternatively run a new earth connection from your Consumer Unit to the lighting circuit.
That is Pyro / Micc, the box in the ceiling is most likely one of these:
Earth connection via the two threaded fixings.
Earth connection via the two threaded fixings.
What is confusing me is that the black conductor (probably two black conductors) terminated in what I would have expected to be the earth terminal of the lampholder appear to have red identifications (sleevings) on it/them. Am I wrong in thinking that's the lampholder's earth terminal?
Kind Regards, John
It's just a separate terminal for the loop.
Obviously can be used for other purposes if needs be.
Obviously can be used for other purposes if needs be.
True - but, as I've just written, there seem to be connections to all three terminals of the lampholder, albeit the (I think) two conductors which go to what I would have expected to be the earth terminal are red-sleeved.
If, as the OP suggested in his initial post, there is no earth, exactly what would the third terminal of the lampholder be? ... my worst fear is that it is, indeed, the earth terminal of the lampholder (hence connected to accessible metal parts of the lampholder), but has been used as a 'JB' for joining two live conductors!
Edit: - Ah, EFLI has given a credible explanation - that it is a 'floating' terminal, deliberately provided for 'JB' purposes. That would make sense.
Kind Regards, John
Ah - that would make sense - but does that imply that the lampholder can't have any metal parts (like the 'collar' of a B22) that would require earthing?
Kind Regards, John
It's just a (n old) batten lamp holder (which used to have loop terminal).
The collars aren't earthed.
The collars aren't earthed.
Fair enough. That makes perfect sense. Thanks.
I have to confess ... having never needed that terminal for looping, I've always used it (obviously no problem) as somewhere to park the CPC, and I have probably assumed that it was, indeed, an earth terminal for the collar. However, on reflection, I suppose it's actually safer having the collar 'floating'. One learns something every day!
Kind Regards, John
I don't think I could trust a company that says on its website "WE STOCK THE LATEST IN SPECIALIST LIGHTS THAT ONLY REQUIRE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE WIRING".
Well spotted, Winston. Must sell my shares in them!
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