Electrical advice needed

scottishmovies

Hi All,

I recently bought a set of studio lights which were a bargain (I thought!) but as it turned out they only have a 2 pin connection coming out of them with a female end to allow me to add whatever length of cable I want.

My question is though - how do I make them safe? I suspect I might need an RCD? or can they be wired for our type of wiring with an earth wire?

Appreciate any advice.
Thanks in advance.

bockster

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-insulated

read this re class II equipment and see if it relates to your lamps.
are your lamps up to uk standards?

to the best of my knowledge an rcd is not suitable for class II eqpt as it relies on detecting a fault current passing down the earth conductor.

hth

scottishmovies

Hi, thanks for the reply. I'm curious though - if a garden strimmer is similar to these light connections ie 2 cables in a 2 pin plug/socket arrangment, how come a RCD works for them?

If it needs an earth to return and there isn't one? It might just be my stupidity as I think I'm missing soemthing?

The wikipeadia link made sense although I'm not sure my lights are Class II - should I be looking for the double square symbol somewhere on them?

1984ReturnsForReal_2

scottishmovies wrote: »

Hi, thanks for the reply. I'm curious though - if a garden strimmer is similar to these light connections ie 2 cables in a 2 pin plug/socket arrangment, how come a RCD works for them?

If it needs an earth to return and there isn't one? It might just be my stupidity as I think I'm missing soemthing?

The wikipeadia link made sense although I'm not sure my lights are Class II - should I be looking for the double square symbol somewhere on them?

AC (alternating current) just uses live & neutral to pulsate..

Earth is just a man made connection to "earth".

The RCD picks up on the abnormal variation on what is going on with the current.


(I am sure an electrician will correct me on the technicalities)

bockster

ah yes, i stand corrected,

blonde moment,

current passing up live should allways be equal to current returning down neutral, say. if not where is current going? fault? rcd looks for this imbalance.

hope this is something like correct.

anyway, i'll get my coat!