Garage lighting

[cdbe]

Can I use this to wire up my new plastic led battens in my garages?

It's bog standard twin lawnmower type flex.

I'm going to have 3 in each garage each on its own switch and some will be 2 way switched.

My issue is (assuming it's ok to use anyway - partly because it's free and partly because I want to hang the battens from hooks so I can (within reason) reposition them side to side across the garage (I sometimes have a caravan/car on a trailer in and I'd rather not illuminate the roof)) I've bought some 3 way switches in the Screwfix clearance and they're metal so would I be ok just using standard twin and earth/3 core and earth for the feed and switches and then the orange stuff to the lights?


Edit - and what are the rules generally on surface mounted cables? Am I ok to clip everything to the rafters and drop down to switches and sockets in trunking?

 

[Wayners]

Using wire like that looks like a DIY job. Any future visit from a electrician will make them nervous and recommend replacing it all.

1.5mm lighting cable is cheap enough. Why wouldn't you use the correct wire and make it look tidy.

 

[cdbe]

Yeah I know what you mean, or they might think it's pyro and that I'm dead professional!

Just trying to use what I have if it's allowed, I have some standard t&e if not.

 

[pete01]

Lawnmower flex is probably 2 core so no.

 

[cdbe]

I believe the battens are Class11.

 

[BS3036]

I believe the battens are Class11.

The wiring to them must still have an earth.

 

[cdbe]

The wiring to them must still have an earth.

Ok. That's answered that.

 

[MickTheBrick82]

The orange cable used for lamp cords unfortunately won’t do the job, as grounding is essential. The best option is to use the standard T&E (Twin and Earth) cable you already have on hand, as it is both safe and compliant with regulations

 

[morqthana]

The wiring to them must still have an earth.

Hang them from chains, then they will no more need an earth than Class II pendant bulb holders do.

 

[Highway Man]

Hang them from chains, then they will no more need an earth than Class II pendant bulb holders do.

Under regs if you are wiring from new (as the OP is) you still have to take an earth to class 2 lighting in case further down the line someone changes them to metal case lights.

 

[morqthana]

And what of all the Class II pendants on 2-core flex?

 

[Highway Man]

And what of all the Class II pendants on 2-core flex?

Existing or new installation as the OP is undertaking?

 

[ericmark]

Back in 1966 the regulations changed, before that, a filament lamps installed in a room having a non-conducting floor, mounted at such a height that they cannot readily be touched and are out of reach of earthed metal could be supplied by a supply without an earth.

Since you are not using filament lamps, even before 1966 you would have needed an earth, the edition before 1955 I don't know what it said, the 1966 edition said "D.6 At every lighting point an earthing terminal shall be provided and connected to the earth-continuity conductor of the final sub-circuit." I don't have the current edition, but 2008 it said "
A circuit protective conductor shall be run to and terminated at each point in wiring and at each accessory except a
lampholder having no exposed-conductive-parts and suspended from such a point." I don't think that has changed, so the flex from ceiling rose to lamp holder can be just twin flex, but up to the ceiling rose, or any lamp fitting not suspended needs to have an earth wire.

I would assume this is because fittings can be changed, and I know with my mothers house, finding a class II ceiling lamp was not easy for her kitchen.

We looked at what seemed exactly the same light at half the price in B&Q but could not use it, as missing the class II sticker. And the kitchen was being refurbished by social services so had to comply.

 

[pete01]

And what of all the Class II pendants on 2-core flex?

Where?

If you mean the 6 inch from pendant to lamp holder, thats allowed

 

[Highway Man]

Where?

If you mean the 6 inch from pendant to lamp holder, thats allowed

Exactly