Class II

[cliffed]

Replacing lights in office , where there is no earth continuity on the existing circuit.
The new lights are Class II & require no earth.
The client refused rewire of the area, the cabling is T&E but no earth connection..is this legally correct.

 

[westward10]

When you say no connection does this mean there are cpcs but there is no continuity through them.

 

[timhoward]

This analogy may help: even if you are plugging class 2 appliances into a radial sockets circuit the circuit still requires a cpc to protect the cables.
Same for lighting circuits - even if the cpc isn’t connected to each luminaire it needs to be connected to the next length of cable and so on.

 

[DefyG]

A 'short' 2 core flex via a connector may be permitted for the light, but the circuit wiring should incorporate a cpc as stated by others.

 

[cliffed]

When you say no connection does this mean there are cpcs but there is no continuity through them.

Yes no continuity on the cpc

 

[cliffed]

This analogy may help: even if you are plugging class 2 appliances into a radial sockets circuit the circuit still requires a cpc to protect the cables.
Same for lighting circuits - even if the cpc isn’t connected to each luminaire it needs to be connected to the next length of cable and so on.

Totally agree… it would be easier to install new circuit to the area.

 

[Strima]

Yes no continuity on the cpc

That needs sorting before any other work is done.

 

[timhoward]

Is it grid ceiling? Can you get a Zs at any of them? I tend to find the one that works and start there using quickwire flex connectors

 

[cliffed]

It’s a complete mess… those above have insisted on fitting these lights without even the thought of finding the fault..

 

[westward10]

Has anyone made an attempt to resolve it. Are the light switches earthed.

 

[cliffed]

Has anyone made an attempt to resolve it. Are the light switches earthed.

No they haven the switches are normal plastic

 

[westward10]

So has anyone tried to resolve it.

 

[cliffed]

So has anyone tried to resolve it.

No

 

[cliffed]

Their remit was fit Class II fittings

 

[Strima]

Their remit was fit Class II fittings

Still doesn't get round the discontinuous CPC, I'd walk away of that's their attitude.

 

[telectrix]

as above.you fix the broken cpc issue before doing any specified works or walk.

 

[westward10]

What will you put on the certification for earth continuity.

 

[telectrix]

What will you put on the certification for earth continuity.

N/V. whatever else.epic fail.

 

[cliffed]

What will you put on the certification for earth continuity.

It’s not my job I've only questioned the sparks involved …I won’t be signing anything

 

[Pretty Mouth]

This analogy may help: even if you are plugging class 2 appliances into a radial sockets circuit the circuit still requires a cpc to protect the cables.
Same for lighting circuits - even if the cpc isn’t connected to each luminaire it needs to be connected to the next length of cable and so on.

Other than when it forms an earthed sheath around the live conductors, how does a CPC protect a cable?

 

[timhoward]

Other than when it forms an earthed sheath around the live conductors, how does a CPC protect a cable?

I accept I didn't word it well, but my meaning was it provides a reliable return current path for edge cases when strange things have happened upstream.

The (obscure) old example coming to mind was when a fuse was removed for the lighting circuit (by customer), the lighting circuit cable was cut, and BANG the main fuse blows. It turned out the CU was wired reverse polarity. If that circuit hadn't had a cpc the customer may have found out about the reversed polarity a much nastier way. Granted, that one is not going to happen every day.

 

[Flanders]

So what is the reason for a cpc in final circuit that is supplying a class 2 fitting in a commercial environment.Is this a regulation requirement. I agree it's required in a domestic environment as a class 2 light could be easily changed with a class 1 fitting by the home owner .

 

[telectrix]

it's there so hopefully a nail or screw penetrating the cable will short L-E and thus result in the OCPD tripping out and killing the circuit. ( apart from a L-E short at a classI fitting).