Hi,

My wife filched a table lamp from the in-laws' loft a while ago, and I
was concerned that it only has twin-core wiring. The lamp stem is
metal, with the cable running up the middle to a plastic fitting at the
top.

I realise it would take a fairly drastic failure to get the live
conductor in to contact with the metal base, but I don't know what the
(modern) norm is regarding the earthing of metal parts in electrical
appliances.

Is the fact that the actual fitting is plastic enough to warrant not
earthing the metal base? I'm going to re-wire the lamp anyway, because
the twin-core cable is, er, vintage, but I'd like to know whether there
are regulations, or perhaps best practice, regarding the earthing of
such lamps.

Cheers,

--
Rick

On Tue, 02 Jan 2007 14:53:56 GMT, rick H
wrote:

Hi,

My wife filched a table lamp from the in-laws' loft a while ago, and I
was concerned that it only has twin-core wiring. The lamp stem is
metal, with the cable running up the middle to a plastic fitting at the
top.

I realise it would take a fairly drastic failure to get the live
conductor in to contact with the metal base, but I don't know what the
(modern) norm is regarding the earthing of metal parts in electrical
appliances.

Is the fact that the actual fitting is plastic enough to warrant not
earthing the metal base? I'm going to re-wire the lamp anyway, because
the twin-core cable is, er, vintage, but I'd like to know whether there
are regulations, or perhaps best practice, regarding the earthing of
such lamps.

Cheers,

--
Rick

I would replace plastic fitting with a brass one which has an earth
connection , then rewire with 3 core making sure you have some cable
restraint somewhere in the lamp.

Or if a suitable earthing point can be created on the lamp body -
earth this and leave plastic fitting.
Robert

lid wrote:
On Tue, 02 Jan 2007 14:53:56 GMT, rick H
wrote:

Is the fact that the actual fitting is plastic enough to warrant not
earthing the metal base? I'm going to re-wire the lamp anyway, because
the twin-core cable is, er, vintage, but I'd like to know whether there
are regulations, or perhaps best practice, regarding the earthing of
such lamps.


I would replace plastic fitting with a brass one which has an earth
connection , then rewire with 3 core making sure you have some cable
restraint somewhere in the lamp.


That's a good idea, cheers.

Or if a suitable earthing point can be created on the lamp body -
earth this and leave plastic fitting.

That's what I'd planned on doing - I just wasn't sure if I was being
paranoid.

--
Rick