Lighting circuit with no cpc

[SparkJ]

I need to quote for the installation of two additional metal ceiling spotlights in a 1960 bungalow.

There is no cpc in the lighting circuit although the owner has fitted metal light switches in every room and already has aluminium tracklights in the kitchen and dining room.

The consumer unit is a GEC model about 15 years old that has a 30ma RCD protection on five ways. There is a spare way and I could move the lighting circuit to that way if I can locate a 6A MCB that fits.

Are there any other options open to me other than either rewiring the entire lighting circuit with twin and earth or adding a 1mm cpc to the circuit?

The light switch back boxes seem to be wood rather than conventional metal back boxes. Will these have to be changed as well?

All seems a lot of work for two lights.

 

[Evans Electric]

Its the old question of how far do you go . Assuming they do not want the lighting rewired you have to leave it safe. If it were me , in that case, rewire the two lights and switch drops with T/E and change the back boxes to metal. ( The wooden ones are deemed to be combustible !!)

Option 2 . Earth the two fittings with a seperate cable and change the switches to plastic. You are not responsible for the other stuff, just note it in the " Comments on existing Installation" box.

And its a Minor Works IMO. Leave the consumer alone.

Deke

 

[Andy™]

you will have to install an earth if they want a metallic fitting. they should also have all other stuff changed to class II or wire them with an earth.

also make them aware of the fact that if there is a fault and they touch the light (i.e changing a lamp, or even turning the switch on/off), there could well end up dead. usually gives them the hint that its dangerous

 

[bigclive]

You can get double insulated "metal" light fittings for the multitude of houses with no lighting earth. Although if their houses are that old then maybe a rewire is due.

I recently encouraged some friends to change back to plastic light switches for this reason.

 

[Andy™]

You can get double insulated "metal" light fittings for the multitude of houses with no lighting earth. Although if their houses are that old then maybe a rewire is due.I recently encouraged some friends to change back to plastic light switches for this reason.

and you can get live metallic chandeliers....

 

[green-hornet]

All fittings should be double insulated.

Back boxes are available with plastic lugs for connecting faceplates to.

No light fitting that requires an earth should be used.

A sticker or label should be placed on or near the cu to warn others that the cpc of the lighting circuit is absent.

 

[bigclive]

and you can get live metallic chandeliers....

Which are much more exciting that ordinary chandeliers. Largely by virtue of their badness.

I ended up taking that thing down and replacing it with one of my "monstrosity of great luminosity" CFL cluster lights. (With an LED twist.) The original deadly chandelier got to the age where all the lamps started failing at around the same time which was annoying.

 

[Evans Electric]

Is " Monstrosity of Great Luminosity" a new technical term ? Like when light fittings suddenly became " Luminairs"

 

[bigclive]

The reference is to the two lights featured on my website, one of which is hideously dangerous and one which is hideously bright.

Here's the hideously dangerous one:-

http://www.bigclive.com/halogen.htm

And here's the much safer but blindingly bright one:-

http://www.bigclive.com/hamster.htm

 

[Evans Electric]

Hey man B-) Where can I buy" The Close Encounters of the Third Kind" one.

 

[bigclive]

Are you sure you don't want the "close encounters of the 230 kind" instead? :^O

Both those lights were cobbled together out of ordinary stuff (except for the custom PCBs in the death-chandelier.)

If it's the sputnik one you like then you just need to lay waste to a plastic motorised hamster ball with a suitably sized holesaw and whack in a parallel string of ordinary bayonet cap holders.

You can also make a five lamp one with a plastic junction box with lampholders on five of the faces.

That could be your weekend project!

 

[binky]

Assuming you can't persuade owners to re-wire or install earthing, there is another recommendation within NICEIC guidelines, namely RCD circuit so that any shock is limited. Other than that MWC is essential with comments to cover your bum

 

[Badger]

personally no earth present and they wanting metal lights fitted id walk away

 

[batty]

personally no earth present and they wanting metal lights fitted id walk away

Me to.

 

[Riggy]

I'd walk as well, it's tempting to always try to give the customer what they want, but you've got to maintain your integrity as well. I find if you explain the dangers rather telling them "it's against the rules" you can generally convince them you are trying to keep them safe rather than rip them off.