Why you should wire to downlights in HR flex

[sjm]

Following on from a post a week or so ago about why not just wire to downlights in T+E I've attached the following photos.



I found these when called to an existing customer to locate a fault with the lights in their flat.
The installation was done 3 years ago, not by me I hasten to add.
What has happened is that the downlights have been covered in insulation by Bob The Builder. Although these particular JCC fireguard fittings do say in the instructions that they can be loosely covered with insulation if required by building regs.
My customer has then placed chipboard on top of the insulation in order to store things in the loft.

So although the electrician may not have known about the insulation plus the chipboard combination which has lead to the burning of the T+E, if he had followed best practice and used HR flex for the connection to the downlights then IMHO this wouldn't have happened.
Also I think he should have put some protection over the downlights as the loft was quite likely to be used for storage, the area of installation is right next to the loft hatch.
Your opinions would be appreciated as I've been asked to write a report for my customer. I have told them that the installation is NOT against the regulations, as such, but is IMO poor practice. I have also told them that their use of chipboard over the top of the insulation has contributed greatly to the problem.

So what do you guys think?
Thanks in advance.
Steve

 

[DurhamSparky]

so lights were fitted then insulation was added then loft flooring was laid...!!

so why are we hounding the spark!! he work to the regs and fitted what looks like decent fittings in a good mannor!

the rest is down to insulation been laid over the lights and then customers fault for laying floor...!

i see where you come from with heat flex but it seems that electricians will jump at the chance to stab a fellow spark in back rather than tell customer they are an idiot!

 

[Paul.M]

Just as DS has said, its not the sparkys fault. At the time it was installed within the regs but if Bob the builder has laid insulation and then boarded over it, he has unknowingly changed the characteristic of the circuit. He should know that when installing insulation it would have an effect on cables, other than that he should have asked a sparky for advice.

Let's blame the builder and owner for this one.

 

[telectrix]

beats me how anybody can pack this insulation round fittings they know get hot. would these same muppets smother the gas boiler in fibreglass ?

 

[i=p/u]

i stood up for a spark yesterday if i might add, he came out and replaced two bulbs in her security light and she said she was charged £45 pounds..

i said might sound alot to pay for two bulbs, but for him to get bulbs call out to your house in a van with insurance and the rest of costs and vat on top it doesnt work out that much. and if you were getting other work done he might of done them for free....

we gotta face it they dont like paying for electrics and just expect them to last a life time..

 

[DurhamSparky]

decent lamp for security light is £3quid any way!

so thats fine...!! £35 for call out and £6-7 quid on parts

 

[i=p/u]

and as for down lights im just going to wire in HR flex from now on, not that much more if any... them bulbs can go to 250 degrees so what is HR flex rated at???

 

[i=p/u]

i know durham sparky, it all adds up.. ive done loads of we jobs were you break even half the time.. but shouldnt be my problem

 

[DurhamSparky]

i encourage the use of LED lamps on every down light install....!!

 

[Guest123]

Should we then wire all houses in galv conduit incase the homeowner buys a rat???

 

[DurhamSparky]

no just SWA...!

 

[malcolmsanford]

Mark my words ..............................downlights will over the next few years all end in tears

See you woke me up again on a Sunday about these god awful things

 

[telectrix]

wondered how long it would take, malc. LOL.

 

[malcolmsanford]

wondered how long it would take, malc. LOL.

:devil2: I'll eventually win Tel. All joking aside mate IMO they are ticking timebombs, until LED lamps came in.

 

[Paul.M]

Wasn't there a thread a few weeks ago about a rented bedroom that got turned into a bedsit by the owner adding a shower which made all of the sockets come within zone 2?

Not the sparkys fault. If any building work is carried out that may effect other trades why don't they look at our regs? We have to know about everyone else's don't we?