I've just unpacked a couple of light bar units to go either side of a mirror
in my newly refitted bathroom. You know the sort of thing - four 'tennis
ball' lights in a chrome bar to create the theatre dressing room makeup
mirror look.

When I examined the connection box, inside was just a pair of choc block
style connectors, one for live, one for neutral. The box had a recessed
space for a third block, but none was fitted. I then noticed on the box that
the double-insulated symbol is there, as well as the words "Class 2", so I
guess that's why there is no earth connection provided.

However, given that these lights are designed to be used in a bathroom, and
are consequently rated IP44 and approved for use in zones 2 and 3, and also
given that they are predominately metal, with metal lamp holders for mains
G9 bulbs, I would have thought that it would have been good electrical
safety practice to have provided a mains earth point to the metalwork anyway
? Or if nothing else, at least a terminating point for any earth lead that
may be incorporated in the wiring that they are being fed from. For
instance, I have run 1.5 T&E cable in the wall, to the places where they are
going.

I think I might just see if I can find a convenient point on the metalwork
to connect an earth to anyway. Am I being sensible here, or just picky for
no good reason ? Opinions please ...

Arfa

"Arfa Daily" wrote in message
...
I've just unpacked a couple of light bar units to go either side of a
mirror in my newly refitted bathroom. You know the sort of thing - four
'tennis ball' lights in a chrome bar to create the theatre dressing room
makeup mirror look.

When I examined the connection box, inside was just a pair of choc block
style connectors, one for live, one for neutral. The box had a recessed
space for a third block, but none was fitted. I then noticed on the box
that the double-insulated symbol is there, as well as the words "Class 2",
so I guess that's why there is no earth connection provided.

However, given that these lights are designed to be used in a bathroom,
and are consequently rated IP44 and approved for use in zones 2 and 3, and
also given that they are predominately metal, with metal lamp holders for
mains G9 bulbs, I would have thought that it would have been good
electrical safety practice to have provided a mains earth point to the
metalwork anyway ? Or if nothing else, at least a terminating point for
any earth lead that may be incorporated in the wiring that they are being
fed from. For instance, I have run 1.5 T&E cable in the wall, to the
places where they are going.

I think I might just see if I can find a convenient point on the metalwork
to connect an earth to anyway. Am I being sensible here, or just picky for
no good reason ? Opinions please ...

Arfa

Actually, maybe I am just being picky here. I've now had a much closer look
at how these things are constructed, and although the bracketry which
supports the lampholders is metal, the entire 'business' piece is actually
ceramic. This is further mounted via a silicone rubber bush, which is
presumably there for the dual purpose of providing the second layer of
electrical isolation, as well as decoupling the holder from the metalwork
heat-wise. I still think though, that it wouldn't have been a bad idea to
have provided a simple termination point for any earth wire that *may* have
been present, for tidiness at least, if for no good electrical purpose.

Arfa