Earthing for Wall Lights.

Bigjenny

We have just bought some New Wall Lights but have a problem with the Wiring.

The new Lights are Metal with 3 Wires. However when Hubby looked at the current lights, Plaster uplighters than you can paint yourself, (here when we moved in) he discovered that there are only 2 wires, red and black, and no earth wire that we can see. Checked ceiling light and they have an earth.

Can we connect the Wall Lights without the Earth, if so, How.
If not, is there anyway to earth them without rewiring.

Markyt

I'm watching with anticipation, as I have the same problem right now!

weekendwarrior

Nope, you can't fit those lights without an earth wire.

You can run an earth wire from the existing lighting circuit to the wall lights, which will be messy as you will probably have to chase out.

Best option is to find some wall lights that do not require earthing. ( this means that most metal ones are not suitable)

elastic_trickery

Check carefully by looking at the cable in the wall. Some electricians snip off the earth wire right back against the outer insulation when installing those type of fittings. It may be that you can recover the earth cable by carefully stripping more cable off.

If there is no earth cabl at all then your only option is to either run one in or as weekend warrior suggests use a fitting that does not require an earth. These are refered to as class 2 and have the double square symbol on them.

arealhighlander

elastic_trickery wrote: »

Check carefully by looking at the cable in the wall. Some electricians snip off the earth wire right back against the outer insulation when installing those type of fittings. It may be that you can recover the earth cable by carefully stripping more cable off.

If there is no earth cabl at all then your only option is to either run one in or as weekend warrior suggests use a fitting that does not require an earth. These are refered to as class 2 and have the double square symbol on them.

Also known as Double Insulated. As you said, look for the square within the square symbols.

Bigjenny

Going to have a look tomorrow to see if earth wire has been cut back.

andrew-b

We had the same with our wall lights...though metal wall lights were already installed without earth! Someone had cut the earth back to the insulation of the cable. Fortunately i was able to pull cable down through the conduit - though i did have to also reroute one cable in the loft above (bungalow) to have enough cable to deal with. If the earth cable has been cut back at the wall light then you also need to ensure the other end of the cable is connected to earth too.
If in doubt get an electrician in.

Andy

gogsboy

I'm just looking to replace our wall lights, have done two but not sure about the 3rd.

The first and second just had 1 set of wires but the third seems to have two and the connecting block that is on the lights looks like it might be a bit tight.

Is this normal just to have one light with 2 sets of wires.

Is it the done thing to fit a larger connection block, the block if a factory fit so to speak, again is this the done thing?

Bigjenny

Hubby took lights off wall today and found that the Earth Wire had been folded neatly under cable so that we couldn't see it, enough there to wire up new lights. Lightswitch at either end of room, earth wire in one (not connected) other one looks if it has been cut back but enough cable to expose a bit. Thanks to replies.

:T