problem with shortening pendant light cable

misty-mitts

We've bought a new lampshade, but it hangs lower than the current one. We are confident that we can shorten the cable ourselves, but have a small query first. The plastic lampholder only has brown and blue wires connected, which is fine, but the hanging cable is 3-core. Are we OK to cut the earth wire and then leave it unattached (and not touching anything)?

We are positive that we have turned the correct electrical circuit off!

Rubidium

misty-mitts wrote: »

We've bought a new lampshade, but it hangs lower than the current one. We are confident that we can shorten the cable ourselves, but have a small query first. The plastic lampholder only has brown and blue wires connected, which is fine, but the hanging cable is 3-core. Are we OK to cut the earth wire and then leave it unattached (and not touching anything)?

We are positive that we have turned the correct electrical circuit off!

It sounds like you have actually bought a new light rather than a new shade.

If it has an earth it should be connected to the earth connector in the ceiling fitting and not cut.

Head_The_Ball

How much lower does it hang?

Many lampshades have adjustable swivel supports. Maybe rotating the supports 180 degrees will solve your problem. Unlikely but worth a try.

Le_Kirk

If you are talking about the plastic lampholder into which the bulb fits, then yes, you can cut it. If it is a brass lampholder, there will be some sort of screw to which to attach the earth. It would appear that someone has used 3-core rather than twin core.

misty-mitts

All done and dusted now. Thanks for your help!

fluffpot

It's not really clear from your OP. If the new light is metal and the 3 core cable is going to this, then no you should not cut off the earth - it needs to be connected