Light fitting wires

[Stevie R]

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]

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]

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

 

[Stevie R]

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

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

 

[Andy™]

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]

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

 

[ProDave]

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]

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]

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]

Can you show the inside of one of the lampholders.

 

[Stevie R]

Can you show the inside of one of the lampholders.

Attached is a photo of lamp holder

 

[Fleeting]

That can be connected any way polarity is not important.

 

[Stevie R]

That can be connectedcany way polarity is not important.

Ok thanks for your help

 

[ProDave]

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]

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