kitchen downlights

waynelester · Mar 13, 2011

hi,i have been asked to replace kitchen lighting for downlights and i can foresee two problems.firstly there is no rcd protection to lighting circuits and i understand this is required as there are cables conceled in wall(switch wire) and secondly there is no cpc to lighting circuit.would it be acceptable to add cpc to the circuit i am installing or would i need to add cpc to total circuit. advice greatly appreciated

PC Electrics · Mar 13, 2011

I would suggest following the advise in guide 1:
Best practice guides : Electrical Safety Council
unless the client is willing to pay for lights rewire or addition of cpc.
Can you get a cpc to the new section easy enough?

waynelester · Mar 13, 2011

yes i have read the guide and understand the need to do risk assessment ensuring only class 2 fitting used.i can run earth to new wiring quite easily but more difficult if all lighting circuit is required

malcolmsanford · Mar 13, 2011

Try and persuade you customer that there are alternatives to torch lights and quite a few Class 11 types

Class 2 Kitchen Lights

waynelester · Mar 13, 2011

yes i agree,i dont particually like downlights and think there are better alternatives,if i fit a class 1 and install cpc to light and switch only would this be acceptabe

nickblake · Mar 13, 2011

yes it is acceptable if you mark the EIC and CDU , but my feelings on this are if you can get a cpc to the lights you can get a new piece of twin and earth so it would be a better idea to do that

waynelester · Mar 13, 2011

yes i can do that,what is situation if i install only class2 fittings

malcolmsanford · Mar 13, 2011

If you only fit class II fittings and lights then you just need to note it on the certificates and a label at the CU indicating that the lighting circuit as no CPC.

I suppose as a care of duty you should inform the customer of what this means, but it's so awkward it is seems your touting work, but I would send in a letter stating what you found highlight your test results, if they are good then no problem, but of course saying that for safety reasons remedial work on the circuits should be done.