A class act!

[hotXbun]

I'm in process of fitting downlights ... no earth ... no RCD protection to bathroom.

Ok, so I'll address the RCD lack by altering the consumer unit to fit one, meanwhile...

I tested out (my) new lighting circuit ... greater than 1,000 on the Meggar. I borrowed a nearby earth and loop impedance measured out as 0.62 ...so I presume that if I fit an 30mA RCD protector everything will be ok? and then I got me thinking the downlights I am fitting have no earth and when I look into it, the fitting is 'considered' to be Class 2! My first response is one of "OK! no need for an earth!" but then how am I supposed to test it out???

Excuse possible crass stupidity but assuming I have a Class 2 double insulated light fitting, how do I test it? Even more to the point, assuming that there is no earth, how is the controlling RCD supposed to work? Assuming that it relies on a difference in the differential between live and neutral and there is no earth, then how does double insulation lighting trip an RCD? My point is simple, if the fitting is 'Class 2' does this mean I cannot ever get a shock therefore the RCD is only there to protect the circuit from plasterers!

Apologies in advance for apparent stupidity but my head's aching

 

[pushrod]

You can not borrow an earth.

Test continuity of L&N and insulation resistance of L&N

RCD will still work as it will trip if there is current leak to any earth (low resistance path) not just the CPC.

You could still get a shock from a double insulated fitting but it is much less likely as they have been manufactured with extra protection.