UK How to attach ceiling light clear wires

[Deleted member 122708]

How do attach this ceiling light? The wires are all identical, clear, no colours, numbers or codes. Please see pic. Thanks

 

[DT1991]

Continuity tester to confirm the SES lamp holder connections.

 

[Spoon]

Continuity tester to confirm the SES lamp holder connections.

Welcome to the forum mate.
As above. Take one of the bulbs out and do a continuity test.
The contact at the bottom of the bulb holder is the Live connection.

 

[westward10]

I doubt the ES lampholders are polarity biased. Assuming one is earth that is the one you need to find. You are going to need a continuity tester to find it.

 

[123]

Often (but not always) find if you look closely at the clear wire there is a fine green yellow colour running through one - this is the earth. Also a fine brown through another, which is the L, and a fine blue colour through another, alas this is the N.

It's not always the case of course, and it can be tricky to see even in good light.

 

[fairlight]

Often those clear wires have a fine coloured thread inside to identify each core, worth a close look
edit.....123 got there before me.

 

[Fitzy]

I doubt the ES lampholders are polarity biased. Assuming one is earth that is the one you need to find. You are going to need a continuity tester to find it.

I was told to always ensure the live was the centre pin in ES light fittings, to avoid electrocution when removing the bulbs.

 

[ashrow]

I was told to always ensure the live was the centre pin in ES light fittings, to avoid electrocution when removing the bulbs.

Yes that is true but with multiple lamp holder fittings and even a majority of cheap lights from over seas i always check, you will be surprised how many are not

 

[shaun1]

Is the fitting new? It looks like one of those wires has preiviously been soldered to something. It may be the earth connection and may need to be soldered to the metalwork.

 

[SJD]

Yes that is true but with multiple lamp holder fittings and even a majority of cheap lights from over seas i always check, you will be surprised how many are not

I came across a fitting last week from a well-known high street name, where the centre contact wire for ES lamps was colour coded "blue" and the outer contact wire was "brown". So I agree, you have to check.

 

[fairlight]

I was told to always ensure the live was the centre pin in ES light fittings, to avoid electrocution when removing the bulbs.

On many modern ES lampholders the outer contact disconnects before the outer part of the lamp is accessible, so in practice it is not essential to make the centre contact the line. But IMO it is best practice and ensures compliance to do so.

 

[westward10]

I was told to always ensure the live was the centre pin in ES light fittings, to avoid electrocution when removing the bulbs.

ES lampholders manufactured to en60238 which is the required standard are not polarity biased. Both poles are at the bottom of the holder and disconnect when the lamp is unscrewed, improved construction prevents the outer metal screw cap being exposed until the contacts are no longer touching the lamp.
[automerge]1570477694[/automerge]

On many modern ES lampholders the outer contact disconnects before the outer part of the lamp is accessible, so in practice it is not essential to make the centre contact the line. But IMO it is best practice and ensures compliance to do so.

Ensures compliance with what.

 

[Deleted member 122708]

Often (but not always) find if you look closely at the clear wire there is a fine green yellow colour running through one - this is the earth. Also a fine brown through another, which is the L, and a fine blue colour through another, alas this is the N.

It's not always the case of course, and it can be tricky to see even in good light.

Definitely no colours running through the wires. Thanks though!
[automerge]1570482048[/automerge]

Is the fitting new? It looks like one of those wires has preiviously been soldered to something. It may be the earth connection and may need to be soldered to the metalwork.

I bought it second hand from gumtree.

 

[westward10]

Sounds like you are a bit stuck and we cannot guess what wire does what. Best advice is to use the services of an electrician.

 

[Deleted member 122708]

Sounds like you are a bit stuck and we cannot guess what wire does what. Best advice is to use the services of an electrician.

So basically a continuity test won’t tell which wires are L, N, earth?

 

[westward10]

So basically a continuity test won’t tell which wires are L, N, earth?

If you have a continuity tester and know how to use it then yes it will.

 

[Deleted member 122708]

If you have a continuity tester and know how to use it then yes it will.

I’m borrowing one tmw but no, I’m not sure how to use it. Thanks

 

[Zerax]

You could always make your own continuity tester with a torch and some wire...
[automerge]1570484058[/automerge]

You could always make your own continuity tester with a torch and some wire...

Or some old headphones/earbuds ? Lots of ways to do it...

 

[Deleted member 122708]

You could always make your own continuity tester with a torch and some wire...
[automerge]1570484058[/automerge]

Or some old headphones/earbuds ? Lots of ways to do it...

I don’t know how to test if wires are L, N or earth using this. Can someone please explain, thanks!

 

[telectrix]

I’m borrowing one tmw but no, I’m not sure how to use it. Thanks

you set it on ohms. each wire will show a reading close to zero when you have both ends of the same wire connected to the meter.