What could really happen

[JamesAsus]

So i had a good read about lighting circuits and how to fit a light fitting safely etc.

But ive done a couple lately and the fittings are incredibly awkward and the terminal is ridiculously close to the outer rim of the light fitting, so in order to get the wires in they bend practically 90 degrees. So ive been wondering, if the live/neutral/earth slipped out at any point (ive made sure they were tight when i put it up but you never know) what would actually happen in each case?

If the live and earth slipped out then the light wouldent work, so if you turned off the circuit at the mains before touching you would be ok surely? What would happen if the neutral came loose?

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

What happens would depend on the material the fitting was made of, and whether the fitting had a path to earth and what type of devices where protecting the circuit.
If the neutral came lose, several things could happen, one being that the light would not work and if a looped neutral then nor would other lights downstream.
If the fitting was earthed and the neutral then came in touch with the fitting and a residual device was protecting the circuit, then this device would trip, possibly taking out multiple circuits.
Those are some possibilities if the neutral became loose.

 

[JamesAsus]

What happens would depend on the material the fitting was made of, and whether the fitting had a path to earth and what type of devices where protecting the circuit.
If the neutral came lose, several things could happen, one being that the light would not work and if a looped neutral then nor would other lights downstream.
If the fitting was earthed and the neutral then came in touch with the fitting and a residual device was protecting the circuit, then this device would trip, possibly taking out multiple circuits.
Those are some possibilities if the neutral became loose.

But if any of the wires come lose, could it cause a major fire or anything serious, or is the circuit likely to trip out quickly

 

[Iggifer]

If they come loose but not disconnected, then yes, they could start a fire.

Somewhat unlikely in a lighting situation, more common with high current items like cookers and showers. But it could happen.

Loose connections cause a high resistance joint, high resistance means higher temperatures and that's where you get melting and fire.

If you're happy they're tight, don't worry about it. What I like to do with tricky terminations in tight spaces, is make my connections, get the offending item offered up and in place (sometimes fixed up by one screw or something) and then drop my item down again, double check that nothing has worked it's way loose, and then finally fit.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

But if any of the wires come lose, could it cause a major fire or anything serious, or is the circuit likely to trip out quickly

That would again depend!
You have fitted or replaced a light fitting.
What test did you do, to confirm continuity of conductors, that a fault path to earth was present, that disconnection times are compliant?
Loose conductors can also overheat, which can become a fire hazard!