Polarity!

[fraser2801]

Might be a daft question but how can you tell the polarity of the wires coming out of my spotlights both white cabling.

 

[breezer]

with a multimeter, or follow the wires backwards untill you find somewhere that is marked

 

[fraser2801]

sorry i meant for when i connect them up, not connected at the minute

 

[breezer]

connect them all the same then.

it doesnt really matter which way you connect them, assuming they are not ES (edison screw lamps) as ES the centre should be the live, but seeing as yours are all white i should say they are not es, so it doesnt matter (so long as they are all paralell)

 

[securespark]

Not should, Breezer, mate - MUST!

All ES lampholders MUST be wired with live to the centre contact.

 

[plugwash]

im sure i remember hearing there were some exceptions to that rule but im not sure what they were

 

[breezer]

i think it was the "it doesnt matter in a tom and jerry cartoon, as they will light up anyway" rule

 

[Damocles]

low voltage?

 

[dingbat]

im sure i remember hearing there were some exceptions to that rule but im not sure what they were

It's when you are using the type of ES fitting that have no exposed live parts - some plastic threaded ones have contacts that are only made live when a lamp is fully screwed in.