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Electrical

PIR + 2 x wall-lights, wired from fused spur not working

Anonymous user 14/03/2024 - 2.32 PM

Hi there I have recently moved into a house that has a PIR and lights, but they don't appear to work. It could be that the PIR is just broke, but I wanted to check here before making any costly investment. Theres a switch in the garage, and a RCD fused spur with 5 amp fuse,has been run off it with 2.5mm cable. The load-side of the spur is delivered with regular flex cable. It runs to a PIR sensor, and it seems to be wired correctly (though has no earth connection, so the earth lead in the PIR appears to have been just snipped off). One cable then leads to a 50w down light (which appears to be wired correctly (the unit has an earth, but it has similarly been snipped), then theres an onward cable to a second 50w down light, from the first light, again, apparently wired correctly. Yet there is no light output. I have changed both bulbs and fiddled with the PIR sensor controls. Nothing. When I press the 'reset' button on the RCD it makes a noise and the red warning light flashes once - repeatedly if I keep it pressed, which I guess would indicate an earth leakage somewhere on the circuit. I am not an electrician, and don't want to start fiddling with it, but at the same time if its simple and I can resolve it without getting an electrician or ripping it out and starting again, it would help. Any ideas?

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2 Answers

Electrical Safety Services

Rating: 5 out of 5
Dereham
From what you say it does sound like there is earth leakage current if the RCD is tripping. As the earthing conductors have been snipped, it very much sounds like a bodged DIY type installation. It's worth getting a Part P registered electrician to have a look and carry out an insulation resistance test on the circuit to see if there is a short circuit somewhere. It could be ingress of water inside the sensor?
Answered11 February 2014
1

Anonymous user

Hi, there could be a number of faults; the CPC (earth) may be non-existent at the supply/RCD side. As you've stated, the units are not double insulated , so needs CPC (earth) terminating and continuity between/across all units. Check the IP rating of the units, some are just 'splash proof'' IP44, so water damage maybe present. Also, the normal flex will need to be upgraded to rubber/external TE flex 1.5mm, which is less susceptible to the hot/cold weather. This is definitely something NOT for someone who's not familiar with PART P and building regs BS7671. Hope this helps.
Answered11 February 2014
0