Testing lamp is rewired safely

[DPG]

Cheeky! ?

On the chance I can't sweet talk my local charity shop, would a continuity test be sufficient to make sure I wouldn't get a shock if something had gone wrong?

As has been said already, a multimeter cannot perform the appropriate tests.

 

[TheNice]

Ah, I'm sorry for the confusion. You said earlier that a multimeter couldn't test insulation resistance and earth bond, but would perform basic continuity tests. These basic continuity tests wouldn't be enough to tell if there was a risk of shock?

 

[DPG]

Ah, I'm sorry for the confusion. You said earlier that a multimeter couldn't test insulation resistance and earth bond, but would perform basic continuity tests. These basic continuity tests wouldn't be enough to tell if there was a risk of shock?

As above, the two tests which will confirm the item is safe are insulation resistance and earth bond. A PAT test will cover both of these.

 

[TheNice]

OK great, thanks for your help.

 

[Ziggie]

Let’s go back to when electricians were poor and couldn’t have the MFT tester (not invented) and the trade wasn’t a restricted trade.

when I was 5 this was the test that would be done.

consider the size of the cable (not bell wire )
Buy a cheap multimeter - useful for checking fuses. I had access to an AVO meter.

now:
Unplug lamp and Remove bulb from lamp.
The plug was 3 pins.
The lamp holder has two pins and the metal case.
If the lamp has a switch switch it to the on position.
Check continuity from each of the pins on plug with pins on the lampholder.
There should be one and only one match for each set of pins.
The earth pin on the plug should match with the metal case only .
The other pins on plug should match one of the pins in the lampholder.
Now put the switch off.
At least one of the continuity passes should not work. ( the one that’s the live connection)
Now switch on the switch again and plug in the bulb.
Test the continuity between the two pins on the plug ( not the earth) and you should get a small reading but not 0.

this test is not sufficient for selling the lamp but should be sufficient for your use ( it was for a large number of years)

This sounds like a lot but it would take 3 minutes.

hope this helps

 

[DPG]

Let’s go back to when electricians were poor and couldn’t have the MFT tester (not invented) and the trade wasn’t a restricted trade.

when I was 5 this was the test that would be done.

consider the size of the cable (not bell wire )
Buy a cheap multimeter - useful for checking fuses. I had access to an AVO meter.

now:
Unplug lamp and Remove bulb from lamp.
The plug was 3 pins.
The lamp holder has two pins and the metal case.
If the lamp has a switch switch it to the on position.
Check continuity from each of the pins on plug with pins on the lampholder.
There should be one and only one match for each set of pins.
Now put the switch off.
At least one of the continuity passes should not work.
Now switch on the switch again and plug in the bulb.
Test the continuity between the two pins on the plug ( not the earth) and you should get a small reading but not 0.

this test is not sufficient for selling the lamp but should be sufficient for your use ( it was for a large number of years)

This sounds like a lot but it would take 3 minutes.

hope this helps

I disagree. A lamp that has been rewired by an amateur should be tested properly. Personal use doesn't come into it - are you saying it's OK that his family may receive an electric shock?

 

[Ziggie]

I disagree. A lamp that has been rewired by an amateur should be tested properly. Personal use doesn't come into it - are you saying it's OK that his family may receive an electric shock?

No I’m not but I am saying that if he carries out the tests above , there is a massive reduction in risk than not doing it.
The use of any testing is not without risk. There is a small risk that having tested with the MFT tester recommended that the earth wire becomes loose and the live wire connects to the lampholder. It is a snapshot test.

I would prefer that he did some testing than none.

I attended a house where an old age person had pulled the earth wire out of the lampholder by pulling the standard lamp down to switch it on.

by the way , remember to fit a 2 amp or 3 amp fuse in the plug.
If your house has the circuit on an RCD then you are safer as well

 

[TheNice]

Thank you both for your help. Safety is key for me and something I do my best to take seriously (though none of these will be used by anyone but me!), but I'm also hampered by not having much in the way of funds to spend on them. Rewiring them myself was in the hope of saving money (they were free). So until I can get them PAT tested I'd settle for reducing the risk and not having to work in the dark.

On a worrying note...I got one of the lamps off a family member and opened the plug to discover the earth wasn't connected. She'd been using it for years.

 

[DPG]

Thank you both for your help. Safety is key for me and something I do my best to take seriously (though none of these will be used by anyone but me!), but I'm also hampered by not having much in the way of funds to spend on them. Rewiring them myself was in the hope of saving money (they were free). So until I can get them PAT tested I'd settle for reducing the risk and not having to work in the dark.

On a worrying note...I got one of the lamps off a family member and opened the plug to discover the earth wasn't connected. She'd been using it for years.

It's surprising sometimes the amount of dangerous appliances out there. The example you give is a good one, and would remain unspotted for years since it doesn't stop the lamp working.

It's a shame you're so far away or I would have tested it you for free.

 

[TheNice]

Thanks DPG, that's really kind. I'll do the tests Ziggie suggests and look at finding a PAT tester who won't break the bank in the meantime. Thanks for all your help, and stay safe!