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Electrical

Found no earth wire in built in custom made wardrobe light fittings

Anonymous user 09/03/2024 - 3.15 PM

I am fitting new light fixtures to plugged-in lights which were custom made for a built in wardrobe.  When I took apart the old light fixtures I realised that there was no earth wire in them.  When wiring these wires into the new fixtures should I be concerned about the absence of the earth wire and should I only use new fixtures which are plastic? I have just wired in some fixtures which are I think aluminium and realised I might have made a mistake! These lights are plugged- in, so they go into a socket, the home system is properly wired and earthed. Just not sure why they did not put an earth wire in this custom made circuit for the built in wardrobe! Many thanks!!

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4 Answers

DEACON ELECTRICAL SERVICES

Rating: 5 out of 5
Grimsby
They might be class 2 fittings or double insulated which do not require an Earth to be connected. It just doesn’t get connected but don’t cut it off put it in a connector. I’m just guessing here though as I can’t see it. If in any doubt contact an electrician.
Answered30 September 2020
3

Anonymous user

Hi there, The old lights were probably Class II constructed. There are plenty of plug-in lighting solutions around that don’t have an earth due to them being Class II. If the lights you’ve installed are Class II, then you’re okay. Class II lights can have metal in their design, which do not need to have an earth, but you may have installed Class I lights, which will require an earth. If Class II there will be a symbol of a square in a square. If Class I there will normally be a terminal for the CPC to be terminated, along with an Earth symbol. What do the manufacturers instructions state? There, you will find all the information you need. Does the plug that “plugs in” have a 3 A fuse within it? Also, think about BC pendants, they only have two cores and no CPC (Earth). If you’re unsure, get somebody in that will understand the requirements. Regards, Carl.
Answered30 September 2020
2

Anonymous user

The were probably double insulated or Extra low voltage. If so, they didn’t need an Earth.
Answered30 September 2020
1

Ecolectrics

Rating: 5 out of 5
Sevenoaks
They may also be 12v lights in which case you’ll find no earth wire. There will be a transformer that converts the 240v cable into a 12v cable which then feeds the lights. There’s no need for an earth here because if there was a short circuit or fault, you would not even feel a 12v shock.
Answered21 October 2020
1