Can I use USA light fittings in the UK

[djwhite]

Hi, is there any one who can advise me if I can have a USA light fitting(110V) fitted in the UK and just use a UK light bulb that fits the bulb fitting or would the whole thing need rewiring? Appreciate advice

 

[Rauer]

I would say it would need to be checked out by a sparky at least!

 

[Engineer54]

Hi, is there any one who can advise me if I can have a USA light fitting(110V) fitted in the UK and just use a UK light bulb that fits the bulb fitting or would the whole thing need rewiring? Appreciate advice

Depends if it is a straight forward light fitting without any lamp control gear or not!! If it has anything more than a lamp holder, then no you won't be able to use it without modification....

 

[grantr37]

would need a bit of new wire inside.....maybe even a new lamp holder if it was a cheap one...

why do you want to use a USA fitting here, is it something fancy?

 

[Rauer]

would need a bit of new wire inside.....maybe even a new lamp holder if it was a cheap one...

why do you want to use a USA fitting here, is it something fancy?

The cables may be fine!

 

[djwhite]

Depends if it is a straight forward light fitting without any lamp control gear or not!! If it has anything more than a lamp holder, then no you won't be able to use it without modification....

Thanks, this is a standard wired light fitting it has no lamp control gear.

 

[djwhite]

Hi, I would not say this is a cheap one, I paid around $500. It is not really fancy, just quite large which is what I needed. We have a very high ceiling in a new room we built and I wanted a large light fitting. The US market caters for larger size rooms Vs what you can buy here in the same price range. It has standard type wiring and no control gear to the lamp, just standard screw bulb fitting. I have check a buld here and the standard ES bulb fits it.

 

[Engineer54]

Hi, I would not say this is a cheap one, I paid around $500. It is not really fancy, just quite large which is what I needed. We have a very high ceiling in a new room we built and I wanted a large light fitting. The US market caters for larger size rooms Vs what you can buy here in the same price range. It has standard type wiring and no control gear to the lamp, just standard screw bulb fitting. I have check a buld here and the standard ES bulb fits it.

I wouldn't have a problem using this light fitting in the UK. The internal wiring size and it's insulation voltage rating will be fine too....

The Edison Screw lamps are a standard size pretty much worldwide...

 

[Strima]

I'm on the understanding that there's only a slight difference in the European and US ES holders, about 1mm. To be 100% I would change the holders for European ones as that little bit of play could cause overheating. If it's single phase wiring I can't see there being many problems but I would be confirming the cable type and rating to be on the safe side.

 

[Strima]

Ninja'd by E54 again, how do you type so fast?

 

[Engineer54]

I'm on the understanding that there's only a slight difference in the European and US ES holders, about 1mm. To be 100% I would change the holders for European ones as that little bit of play could cause overheating. If it's single phase wiring I can't see there being many problems but I would be confirming the cable type and rating to be on the safe side.

If there is a difference i've never noticed it before. On most of the projects i've been on, our ES light fittings and lamps come from several different countries, can't say i noticed any noticeable play from one fitting to another with whatever lamp was used. Not saying your wrong, just that i haven't seen any difference between Yank and European ES lamp holders and lamps... American Wire voltage ratings on LV have an absolute min of 300V, but more often than not will be higher. It will also be 90/120C rated in such a light fitting too...

 

[p11jor]

Does it have a BsEn number on it?

 

[Rauer]

Does it have a BsEn number on it?

Even if it does , good luck finding it!!!

 

[p11jor]

No BsEn number then it shouldn't be used really, my field officer drummed it into me to check for them on PIRs. Could easily be a code 4 that

 

[Rauer]

Must take about 6 weeks to do one then!!!

 

[UNG]

No BsEn number then it shouldn't be used really, my field officer drummed it into me to check for them on PIRs. Could easily be a code 4 that

I would have thought CE marking more appropriate than BSEN, would you code a TUV marked fitting if it did not also have BSEN markings

 

[nickblake]

No BsEn number then it shouldn't be used really, my field officer drummed it into me to check for them on PIRs. Could easily be a code 4 that

BSEN numbers are european so your not going to find it on a fitting from the USA , just to point out there is no code 4 on a EICR (PIR) any more ,sorry its sunday and im being picky lol

 

[p11jor]

3 sorry! I'm living in the past!

 

[SJD]

No BsEn number then it shouldn't be used really, my field officer drummed it into me to check for them on PIRs. Could easily be a code 4 that

BS7671 [511.2] says "Where equipment to be used is not covered by a British or Harmonized Standard, ... the designer or other person responsible for specifying the installation shall confirm that the equipment provides at least the same degree of safety as that afforded by compliance with the Regulations."

I was taught that this does allow you to use things like one-off lighting fixtures etc, provided you verified it was safe before installing it.

 

[Engineer54]

]No BsEn number then it shouldn't be used really, [/B]my field officer drummed it into me to check for them on PIRs. Could easily be a code 4 that

Come on now, ...Get real, this is a private person purchasing a light fitting from a standards originated country for his personal use!! It'll probably have a UR logo on it, or some other Yank certification.