Light fitting wires

Stevie R · Nov 20, 2024

Please see attached photos of a light fitting which I’m about to fit, obviously there are 3 wires connected to the light one is the earth but the other 2 aren’t identifiable as L or N they are just identical wires I’ve never had a fitting like this before so which would be L & N ?

roys · Nov 20, 2024

What type of light is it?
A lot of the time it doesn’t matter, sometimes it does though.
Is it a new light fitting as the ends look a bit rough and with some rough solder on them.

Murdoch · Nov 20, 2024

Yuk, those awful cables. What are you trying to connect those cores to?

Stevie R · Nov 20, 2024

Murdoch said:
Yuk, those awful cables. What are you trying to connect those cores to?

It’s a ceiling fitting going to a LN&E

Andy™ · Nov 20, 2024

look very closely. there usually a coloured string in there

if there isn't then unless its a ES holder then its not going to matter. if its ES then you'll have to test which is which

Fleeting · Nov 20, 2024

Probably won't matter if it is ES if manufactured to correct standards.

ProDave · Nov 20, 2024

What do the manufacturers instructions say?

If it's second hand and has no instructions then all bets are off.

Post a picture of the actual light fittings, and if it is a replacable lamp (one or more) post a picture looking into where the lamp fits (with the lamp removed)

SPECIAL LOCATION · Nov 20, 2024

Looks like a bit of second-hand butchered flex to me..?
Otherwise those fine strands would have ferrule/crimp over them.

I would start by trimming the sheath and cores back a bit..
Crimp on some ferrules..
Then some continuity tests to verify not just polarity, but earth continuity to any exposed metal parts.
Plus an IR test in case the other end of the flex is as bad looking as this end, and it has some wire strands touching bits they shouldn't touch!.

Stevie R · Nov 20, 2024

SPECIAL LOCATION said:
Looks like a bit of second-hand butchered flex to me..?
Otherwise those fine strands would have ferrule/crimp over them.

I would start by trimming the sheath and cores back a bit..
Crimp on some ferrules..
Then some continuity tests to verify not just polarity, but earth continuity to any exposed metal parts.
Plus an IR test in case the other end of the flex is as bad looking as this end, and it has some wire strands touching bits they shouldn't touch!.

It’s not second hand it was installed in our previous house weve brought it with us

Fleeting · Nov 20, 2024

Can you show the inside of one of the lampholders.

Stevie R · Nov 20, 2024

Fleeting said:
Can you show the inside of one of the lampholders.

Attached is a photo of lamp holder

Fleeting · Nov 20, 2024

That can be connected any way polarity is not important.

Stevie R · Nov 20, 2024

Fleeting said:
That can be connectedcany way polarity is not important.

Ok thanks for your help

ProDave · Nov 20, 2024

Fleeting said:
That can be connected any way polarity is not important.

I disagree.

That is an SES Small Edison Screw lamp holder.

The bottom / left contact in that lamp holder touches the bottom of the lamp That should connect to L.
The top / right contact, makes contact with the metal screw thread of the lamp, that should connect to N.

This is important because if someone tries unscrewing the lamp while it is on, they might be able to touch the screw thread part of the lamp, which could be disastrous if that was connected to L

Anyone else back me up on this?

Yes it will "work" either way, but I do not believe it will be safe if connected wrong.

Fleeting · Nov 20, 2024

That lampholder unless my eyes deceive me complies with EN 60238 so see Regulation 559.5.1.206.

Stevie R · Nov 21, 2024

ProDave said:
I disagree.

That is an SES Small Edison Screw lamp holder.

The bottom / left contact in that lamp holder touches the bottom of the lamp That should connect to L.
The top / right contact, makes contact with the metal screw thread of the lamp, that should connect to N.

This is important because if someone tries unscrewing the lamp while it is on, they might be able to touch the screw thread part of the lamp, which could be disastrous if that was connected to L

Anyone else back me up on this?

Yes it will "work" either way, but I do not believe it will be safe if connected wrong.

So how do I identify L@N?

ProDave · Nov 21, 2024

Fleeting said:
That lampholder unless my eyes deceive me complies with EN 60238 so see Regulation 559.5.1.206.

You can hope it does, and trust that you can't touch the screw thread of the lamp holder, or very simply you can choose to connect it so L goes to the top cap of the lamp and N goes to the screw thread of the lamp. I know which i would do. Why take ANY risk?

ProDave · Nov 21, 2024

Stevie R said:
So how do I identify L@N?

Using a continuity tester or a multi meter. Once you have identified which is L and which is N mark them with some tape or sleeving.

Stevie R · Nov 21, 2024

ProDave said:
You can hope it does, and trust that you can't touch the screw thread of the lamp holder, or very simply you can choose to connect it so L goes to the top cap of the lamp and N goes to the screw thread of the lamp. I know which i would do. Why take ANY risk?

This is a multi headed lamp the wires in the picture are goin to the mains supply in the ceiling

ProDave · Nov 21, 2024

Stevie R said:
This is a multi headed lamp the wires in the picture are goin to the mains supply in the ceiling

So personally I would check continuity and first confirm they are all connected the same way around.

Or take advice from others and just connected it. I seem to be a lonely voice here suggesting you try and connect an SES lamp holder the correct way round. I like to do things technically correct, but nobody else seems bothered about that.

Light fitting wires

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