Downlights, when to earth or not to earth

[Sbc]

HI, can anyone help,
I have a some RA diecast fireproof low voltage GU10 downlights for my kitchen and bathroom and am not sure whether to earth them or not. the connection is made by a L E N terminal block. there is a rivited wire connected to the case of the downlight from the terminal block. now i am slightly confused because to me, it looks like i should make my connection to earth in the block but the installation instruction says...

"when fitting the low voltage lamp holder, please DO NOT connect an earth wire to this fitting".

Thanks in advance
Cheers
Steve

 

[andyb]

By 'low voltage' they may mean 12v, in which case they should not be earthed.

They probably use these fittings for gu10 and mr16 lamps.

 

[Slowhand]

That is Low Energy 230v NOT Low Voltage 12v and so requires an earth.

 

[andyb]

That is Low Energy 230v NOT Low Voltage 12v and so requires an earth.

I don't think that's the fitting that Sbc is talking about, that's an ad generated by third party software. I think.

 

[Slowhand]

OK if it has a 12v transformer then it's SELV and deffo No earth.
If its GU10 230v it does need an earth.

 

[Sbc]

I think this downlight can be used with both GU10 and MR16+transformer. the instructions just arent specific enough, and i am finding a lot of confusion regarding this subject out there in the wild. i understand 12v no earth, but that line in the instructions "when fitting the low voltage lamp holder, please DO NOT connect an earth wire to this fitting" is it actually refereing to the where lamp actually fits or the terminal block?

 

[andyb]

What lamp holder is fitted?

 

[Andy78]

This is a pretty standard thing for downlights to come with GU10 and an MR16 option. I can't see where the confusion is coming from as when using a double insulated transformer for 12V there will be no provision for a CPC anyway.

 

[Sbc]

Im connecting to 230v, the provision is there to connect the cpc so should i do it?
This is the same brand and model https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEVItCCzTAw

 

[andyb]

Im connecting to 230v, the provision is there to connect the cpc so should i do it?
This is the same brand and model https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEVItCCzTAw

Andy's right and your profile does say electrician, your original question has been answered.

 

[NDG Elecs]

Follow the MIs. They say no earth required, unless you think there is a good chance of the casing becoming live due to lack of grommets etc or poor insulation on the conductors.

 

[andyb]

Follow the MIs. They say no earth required, unless you think there is a good chance of the casing becoming live due to lack of grommets etc or poor insulation on the conductors.

He's using 230v so it seems to me that it's a class 1 fitting.
When they say low voltage I think they mean selv not 230v

 

[Sbc]

Sorry guys, my profile is out of date havent been on in a couple of years, i got qualified in 2012, joined napit and worked for myself for 6 months but didnt like trading my time for money and scratching a living so packed it in.
Andyb, i think your right, the instructions are vague possibly refereing to low voltage as selv.
Cheers

 

[NDG Elecs]

Yeah, lots of people seem to think 12V is lv when it's elv. But whether they need connecting to a CPC or not is another thing. Are the cables to the lamp holder double insulated perhaps and hence the MIs saying no earth needed...

 

[davesparks]

Yes do connect the cpc to the earth terminal on the fitting, it's what the earth terminal is there for!

Unless of course it has a low voltage lamp holder (mr16) in which case it is not required.