splitting double insulated lighting circuit

[Risteard]

So stick with double insulated then?

Contact an Electrician is the answer you are looking for.

 

[stevewoody]

This is the switch wiring controlling 4 sets of downlights.

 

[stevewoody]

Is this possible: 2x 3 neutral going into that connector for 4 sets of lights?

 

[Echo the husky]

Yes, it looks like there are 2 separate circuits feeding that switch. 2 of the neutrals are incoming, 4 outgoing. The 2 sets of neutrals must remain separated as they are. If you have only switched off one MCB/removed one fuse it is likely half of that switch is still live...

Edit: Are those red wires entering the back box from a different hole to the blacks?

 

[stevewoody]

OK, thanks, I get it now.

Yeah 4 sets of lights are split between 2 6A MCB, I turned both off before unscrewing fitting.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

 

[winston1]

I don't have access to the switch right now. Rewiring with earth is not really an option. Current light are low voltage, but I was hoping to go double insulated and replace with mains fire rated downlights or spots.

Mains is low voltage. Is that what you mean? Or do you mean extra low voltage as in 12 volts. If so where is the transformer or switch mode supply?

 

[stevewoody]

Lights are non-fire rated low voltage MR16s with individual transformers. Blue/black wires in photo 1 go to transformer which is wired to light in photo 2. I was planning to change to mains (no transformer) fire rated GU10s.

 

[winston1]

Lights are non-fire rated low voltage MR16s with individual transformers. Blue/black wires in photo 1 go to transformer which is wired to light in photo 2. I was planning to change to mains (no transformer) fire rated GU10s.

Lights are non-fire rated low voltage MR16s with individual transformers. Blue/black wires in photo 1 go to transformer which is wired to light in photo 2. I was planning to change to mains (no transformer) fire rated GU10s.

What voltage are they? As I said mains, 240 volt is low voltage. Is this what you mean, if so why are there transformers?

12 volt , if that is what they are, is extra low voltage.

 

[333rocky333]

I think its clear to everyone that he has 12 volt and wants to fit 240 volt

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I think its clear to everyone, including Winston, that he has 12 volt and wants to fit 240 volt

 

[winston1]

I think its clear to everyone that he has 12 volt and wants to fit 240 volt

Well why doesn't he use the correct term then after I had already told him?

 

[stevewoody]

Because virtually every electrical lighting supplier and manufacturer uses the term "low voltage" to refer to 12v and "mains" to refer to 240v when categorising downlights. Must very difficult for electricians to communicate with their clients if both supplier and client use common parlance for choice of lights, but electrician insists they conform to formal regulatory wording at all times.

Forgive my ignorance.

 

[sparkwright]

No, not difficult at all. Most people in the trade say low voltage, and mean 12 v and not 230-240 v.

And the people they say it to usually know exactly what they mean and don't react at all.

Don't worry about that.

Is it likely you can re-strip and join all the missing earths together?

Though the light fittings may not require and earth, it is extremely good practice to have a continous earth running through the light circuit.

 

[stillp]

Most people in the trade say low voltage, and mean 12 v and not 230-240 v.

Wouldn't it be just as easy, and less ambiguous, to actually state the voltage?