European lamps without earth

[hoberinos]

Hi all,

Wondering if there are any specific rules on imported electrical items, or whether they have to conform to UK standards?
Specifically, I have a Dutch supplier of metal floor lamps who say that their 2 pin plugs come with a 3 pin adapter to make it saleable in the UK, but my understanding is that all metal light fittings must be earthed.

Am I right in this? Anyone have any experience of this?
Is there somewhere I can get more information on UK regs for this sort of thing, or would I have to be an electrician to know the answer?

Thanks.

 

[Sintra]

You might find that the fittings are infact double insulated.

 

[hoberinos]

Thanks sintra,

Will ask the supplier if this is the case.
If not, would it be legal to sell it?

 

[malcolmsanford]

Have a read of the section 133 of the Regs

 

[hoberinos]

I don't have the regs.
Can anyone paraphrase it for me, or is that not possible?

 

[Engineer54]

Hi all,

Wondering if there are any specific rules on imported electrical items, or whether they have to conform to UK standards?
Specifically, I have a Dutch supplier of metal floor lamps who say that their 2 pin plugs come with a 3 pin adapter to make it saleable in the UK, but my understanding is that all metal light fittings must be earthed.

Am I right in this? Anyone have any experience of this?
Is there somewhere I can get more information on UK regs for this sort of thing, or would I have to be an electrician to know the answer?

Thanks.

How can a two pin plug top comply with UK regulations on polarity?? You can still plug the 2 pin plug into the adaptor either way round, so it still doesn't comply. This is the reason why there is a European Regulation on the sale of electrical appliances/goods, that basically stipulates, must be supplied with a suitable plug top for the country it is being sold in. Those appliances etc, that don't have a suitable plug top, are what are classed as ''Grey'' goods. ie where they have been purchased by a 3rd party for sale outside of the country the manufacture had originally delivered the goods too and to which they complied to local regulations. This can void at times, the manufacturers guarantee...

 

[hoberinos]

What if they fitted the 3-pin adapter (observing polarity) before shipping it?
Would it then comply?

 

[Engineer54]

I think i know the adaptor you mean, is it one where it fits into the adaptor body with a fuse on the live pin and the body snaps over the original 2 pin plug top?? If so i would imagine this would comply. It's the loose adaptors that do not comply....

 

[hoberinos]

Thanks, I'll try to get hold of the specs of the adapter.
Let's say, for arguments sake, the adapter is OK but the wiring is NOT double insulated, would it then require a full rewire (with earth) before it meets standards?

 

[Engineer54]

Thanks, I'll try to get hold of the specs of the adapter.
Let's say, for arguments sake, the adapter is OK but the wiring is NOT double insulated, would it then require a full rewire (with earth) before it meets standards?

It's not just the wiring as such, that make a light fitting ''Double insulated'' or not, it's the the make-up of the fitting itself. Ie, in that it is impossible for any metalwork on the fitting to become live in normal usage!! Any fitting that has been classed as double insulated will have a symbol of a box/square within a box/square somewhere on the fitting. Or as now called Class 11, which will also be stipulated somewhere on a label on the fitting. Both will of had to pass factory flash tests in the order of 2500 volts between L/N to Earth to prove insulation/separation values....