Earth doubling up as neutral conductor

[richardg]

Good morning all, I was called out to diagnose a fault with some 2d robus light fittings. After some research it turned out the installers had programmed the PIR with the wrong time sequence (5mins) the tube and ballast were both being damaged as min run time should be 15mins.
What stumped me is why they have used the CPC as the neutral conductor, this contradicts all I have been taught. Is this common or acceptable practise? Were the Orginal installers cutting corners by using cables with less cores. The fittings are all plastic with no exposed conductive parts.
Thanks for all your imput

 

[telectrix]

using cpc as a live conductor is not acceptable. full stop.

 

[plugsandsparks]

I do come across this sometimes. Shocking practice. Looks like a real neutral was too hard to route to the lights.
Should be disconnected.

 

[Brightspark2]

You mean they have used a green and yellow wire as neutral?...

Or is it doubling up as both the neutral and CPC?...

 

[Brightspark2]

Just re read the title you mean its doubling up so this definitely isnt acceptable...

 

[Silly Sausage]

No, No, No!

543.4.1

 

[monkeyelectric]

I had this the other day in an underfloor heating thermostat and the crazy thing is there was a blue core within the cable that they had just cut off at each end! tested out all ok so i put it as it should have been, i don't know what goes through peoples heads sometimes!

 

[richardg]

Photographic evidence will inform the building management company. He can take it up with the installing company.

 

[telectrix]

that's aclass I fitting!!!!! with no earth.

 

[monkeyelectric]

Perhaps he thought, well its screwed to the building and the building is resting on the earth so I don't need this poxy little wire aswell!