How much of a risk is it not earthing a ceiling light?

More important, he pointed out in horror that the new wiring system had never been connected to earth! He did it for her, there and then, at no charge.

Yeah, I found that with the communal supply in a tenement building. The contractor had proudly stuck his "I'm A Member of Niceic" stickers everywhere though.
 
Can you see the outer sleeves of the cables or just the conductors?

I ask because I had a couple of light fittings where the earth wires were twisted together and shoved into the ceiling out of sight. It was built that way in the 70s.
 
Would it be OK for the op to run separate earth cables to the metal fittings and connect them to the MET?
 
Aslong as the earth cables follows the closest path as possible to the original cables.....And if you are following the same route, you may aswell replace (as in rewire).

In years gone by you could pick up an earth from pretty much anywhere and take it to the fitting. This is no longer acceptable.
 
A quick question for lectrician where does it say it is no longer acceptable to run an earth from alternative places. I am not trying to be some sort of smart arse and catch anybody out I am genuinely interested (everyday is a school day). Thanks in advance.
 
From here I cannot tell you....

You used to be able to share earth conductors when running singles in conduit/trunk, this is no longer permissible either. I recall all this mentioned at the 17th edition NIC seminars - I am sure there are regs to back it up....
 
Could be a NICEIC makey-upper? like compulsory earth fly-leads to back boxes which the absence of at a friend of mine's has just been given as a PIR code 2 :roll:
 
Could be a NICEIC makey-upper? like compulsory earth fly-leads to back boxes which the absence of at a friend of mine's has just been given as a PIR code 2 :roll:
The NICEIC do not make up regulations and that observation is almost certainly a lack of understanding by the contractor. It's a common one, made by most older electricians, because they do not understand that regulation 543.2.7 refers to using conduit as the CPC.
 
You used to be able to share earth conductors when running singles in conduit/trunk, this is no longer permissible either.
Yes it is, although it is unusual to see it done nowadays. Reg 543.1.2 refers to a circuit protective conductor common to two or more circuits.

Section 314 requires that each final circuit shall be connected to a separate way in the distribution board and that each final circuit shall be electrically separate from every other final circuit. But this is really referring to the live conductors - not all circuits have or need protective conductors.

Reg 521.8.1 says that each part of a circuit shall be arranged so conductors are not distributed over different multicore cables, ducting, trunking or conduit systems.
 
Would it be OK for the op to run separate earth cables to the metal fittings and connect them to the MET?
It would need to be done in minimum 4mm earth wire :shock:
Easier to ditch the class 1 fitting and use a class 2 double insulated one.
 
The NICEIC do not make up regulations and that observation is almost certainly a lack of understanding by the contractor. It's a common one, made by most older electricians, because they do not understand that regulation 543.2.7 refers to using conduit as the CPC.

My apologies I was of the understanding that the NICEIC have their own rules in addition to the regs which they expect their contractors to adhere to (and insist on for their annual assessments etc)
 
Would it be OK for the op to run separate earth cables to the metal fittings and connect them to the MET?
It would need to be done in minimum 4mm earth wire :shock:
Easier to ditch the class 1 fitting and use a class 2 double insulated one.

Why 4mm ? The normal cpc for a lighting circuit is only 1mm ???

Could anyone explain EXACTLY what the diffrence is between an "ordinary" fitting and a "double insulated" fitting? The blurb just mentions "extra insulation" .... Could this not be retro fitted?
 

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