Lamp wiring advice

paulsayer81 · Jan 3, 2016

Hi guys - would really appreciate some advice here...

My Mrs has brought some bedside lamps home from the US which she wants to use at home in the UK.

The lamp holder is rated 600w 250v, so I'm assuming this means the lamp holder is ok with UK voltage, however, it's obviously got a 2 prong US plug on it and the cable is 2 core. The lamp holder itself is metal (brass) with a switch on the lamp holder itself, the rest of the lamp is glass.

Does the lamp holder need to be replaced with one that is earthed and the cable replaced with 3 core, or is it ok to put a UK plug on without wiring the earth pin on the plug?

Thank you!
Paul

davesparks · Jan 3, 2016

It would normally be best to replace the lampholder with one which has am earth terminal and connect with 3core flex unless you can confirm that it has been built to meet our definition of a class 2 (double insulated) fitting.
We occassionally had to do this for customers when i was an apprentice and it's normally pretty easy to do. Also us lamps aleays seemed to have a single insulated flex rather than the insulated and sheathed flex we use

TJ Anderson · Jan 3, 2016

600w bedside lamps!! How big are the bedrooms in the states?

Barrie Patrick · Jan 4, 2016

TJ Anderson said:
600w bedside lamps!! How big are the bedrooms in the states?

Big, but not as big as their Lunatic Asylems ;-)

The Ghost · Jan 4, 2016

Any equipment installed should meet the appropriate BS EN standards in the event it does not have a stamp (BS) then you are required that the American equivalent standard at least meets or exceeds the corresponding BS. As well it is sometimes sage to check ESC on line to make sure there is no recall on that light model no etc. It is in the regs a bit dry I know.