Browse Forums Building Standards; Getting It Right! 1 Dec 22, 2011 12:58 pm I just recently went to replace a few lights around the house... Although, yes I know – I'm not legally supposed to do it myself, I'm beginning to wonder if maybe it's safer that I do it instead of our original electrician...(for the following reason) I've replaced 5 lights, each one that I took out had the earth wire installed without stripping ANY insulation back.... then screws BARELY contact the copper inside... can someone please confirm that this is not general practice? It's like he just assumed there would be good contact if he broke the insulation....My house was built 3 years ago.... I'm pretty sure electricians are required to do an earth continuity test after installation right? So it must have passed, but regardless... this is just incorrect right? Is it a safety risk? Do I need to hire an electrician to check remaining installations in the house? Re: Electrical Question 2Dec 22, 2011 1:04 pm are you sure they need to be earthed. Some lights like downlights are not earthed. What he has done is more work. Most other electricians just leave them (the earth wire) outside. At least he has at least put them in to provide some strength. Re: Electrical Question 3Dec 28, 2011 3:19 pm Hello, It really depends on the light fitting. Alot of light fittings have an earth terminal, but its not physically connected to any metal part of the light. This is known as a double insulated light fitting where any internal components are double insulated from a 3rd party.. thus not needing an earth. ( just a note... an earth IS required at every light fitting by law.. whether its connected or not ) A 12v downlight for example.. the transformers that supply this 12volts SOMETIMES have a terminal to place an earth. whether this terminal is there or not, i never connect the earth in a downlight.. why.. waste of time.. i simply tape it back onto the cable.. the same as every other electrician i know. You can get an electrician in your house if you feel unsafe with your installation.. he will go around with an insulation resistance tester and check earth continuity on each light fitting., and earth continuity to the house earthing system.. Pending that your lights even require an earth to be connected to begin with..! this will mean taking every light fitting down testing and re-fitting them.. And one more thing.... please........DO NOT DO ANY ELECTRICAL WORK YOURSELF!! it may look simple to change a light, but there are many small tricks only those in the trade will know about how to change a light correctly and safely, and test that it SAFELY works. i hope this helped.. merry xmas Electrical - Automation - Smart wiring - New homes - Commercial - Data cabling] 1300 050 315 www.cenemelectrical.com.au www.facebook.com/cenemelectrical Must be labour only. One of those how long is a piece of wire questions. 4 4136 |