[Technology] Loft light advice

Perkino

Well-known member

Dec 11, 2009

5,987

• Aug 24, 2021

• #1

I have found a light in the loft which I assume was installed by the previous owners. It is effectively a ceiling pendant attached to a 2m long cable with no earth, however this is plugged into a 5m long extension cable which we plug into the mains when accessing the loft.

Firstly, is that a safe set up and secondly could I add a 2nd pendant into the extension cable to increase the lighting in the loft space

 

Perkino

Well-known member

Dec 11, 2009

5,987

• Aug 24, 2021

• Thread starter
• #2

Image of detailed above

 

moggy

Well-known member

Oct 15, 2003

5,050

southwick

• Aug 24, 2021

• #3

Perkino said:

I have found a light in the loft which I assume was installed by the previous owners. It is effectively a ceiling pendant attached to a 2m long cable with no earth, however this is plugged into a 5m long extension cable which we plug into the mains when accessing the loft.

Firstly, is that a safe set up and secondly could I add a 2nd pendant into the extension cable to increase the lighting in the loft space

Click to expand...

Only if the light is SELV it doesn’t need an earth otherwise check the switch and assuming the earth is there, you can run a 1mm earth from the switch to the light and fit a 2nd light in series

 

Tom Hark Preston Park

Will Post For Cash

Jul 6, 2003

70,243

• Aug 24, 2021

• #4

Have you tried turning it off and on again?

 

beorhthelm

A. Virgo, Football Genius

Jul 21, 2003

35,315

• Aug 24, 2021

• #5

sounds fine from the description but the picture... i'd change that. many lights dont have earth, didnt use to be required, though regs probably changed.

 

Perkino

Well-known member

Dec 11, 2009

5,987

• Aug 24, 2021

• Thread starter
• #6

Tom Hark said:

Have you tried turning it off and on again?

Click to expand...

Yes it was quite remarkable, I turned it off and everything disappeared like I was teleported into a never ending tunnel of doom where my nightmares were my only comfort. However once I turned it back on again I was transported back into the loft space surrounded by clothes that my children used to fit into and a fake Christmas tree that has as much Christmas joy as Ebeneezer Scrooge

 

Tom Hark Preston Park

Will Post For Cash

Jul 6, 2003

70,243

• Aug 24, 2021

• #7

Perkino said:

Yes it was quite remarkable, I turned it off and everything disappeared like I was teleported into a never ending tunnel of doom where my nightmares were my only comfort. However once I turned it back on again I was transported back into the loft space surrounded by clothes that my children used to fit into and a fake Christmas tree that has as much Christmas joy as Ebeneezer Scrooge

Click to expand...

 

PILTDOWN MAN

Well-known member

NSC Patron

Sep 15, 2004

18,711

Hurst Green

• Aug 24, 2021

• #8

Don’t need an earth as there’s nothing to earth! Consider putting a new plug on it as it looks corroded

 

Is it PotG?

Thrifty non-licker

Feb 20, 2017

23,373

Sussex by the Sea

• Aug 24, 2021

• #9

5 minute job

 

Perkino

Well-known member

Dec 11, 2009

5,987

• Aug 24, 2021

• Thread starter
• #10

beorhthelm said:

sounds fine from the description but the picture... i'd change that. many lights dont have earth, didnt use to be required, though regs probably changed.

Click to expand...

What would you recommend changing? I was of the opinion that the extension lead being earthed would prevent any power surge and simply blow the fuse involved

 

GT49er

Well-known member

Feb 1, 2009

46,757

Gloucester

• Aug 24, 2021

• #11

There are only two connections on a light bulb anyway - no earth. Connecting it to an ordinary three pin plug shouldn't be a problem - many table lamps and free standing lamps are connected this way. Should be a five amp fuse in the plug, not a 13 Amp.

 

Perkino

Well-known member

Dec 11, 2009

5,987

• Aug 24, 2021

• Thread starter
• #12

GT49er said:

There are only two connections on a light bulb anyway - no earth. Connecting it to an ordinary three pin plug shouldn't be a problem - many table lamps and free standing lamps are connected this way. Should be a five amp fuse in the plug, not a 13 Amp.

Click to expand...

It is currently a 13 Amp fuse so I will change that for starters

 

GT49er

Well-known member

Feb 1, 2009

46,757

Gloucester

• Aug 24, 2021

• #13

Perkino said:

What would you recommend changing? I was of the opinion that the extension lead being earthed would prevent any power surge and simply blow the fuse involved

Click to expand...

The plug - it looks as if it's been running hot (poorly connected possibility). Nice new plug, properly connected, check the cables aren't damaged - go! No worries. Couple of extra lamps shouldn't be a problem either,

 

Cheshire Cat

The most curious thing..

Nov 4, 2006

11,445

Sitting on a bough of a tree a few yards off...

• Aug 24, 2021

• #14

Plug connection is a potential deathtrap, and the wire looks a bit ancient.

Buy a new one.

5 minute job.

 

Perkino

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Dec 11, 2009

5,987

• Aug 24, 2021

• Thread starter
• #15

GT49er said:

The plug - it looks as if it's been running hot (poorly connected possibility). Nice new plug, properly connected, check the cables aren't damaged - go! No worries. Couple of extra lamps shouldn't be a problem either,

Click to expand...

I plan to duplicate the set up with a new plug and cable into a pendant rather than running two through the same plug as have a 4 gang extension lead in location

 

Perkino

Well-known member

Dec 11, 2009

5,987

• Aug 24, 2021

• Thread starter
• #16

GT49er said:

There are only two connections on a light bulb anyway - no earth. Connecting it to an ordinary three pin plug shouldn't be a problem - many table lamps and free standing lamps are connected this way. Should be a five amp fuse in the plug, not a 13 Amp.

Click to expand...

Just checked my supplies and have several 3 Amp fuses, would these be suitable or is 5 Amp the optimum

 

Jesus Gul

Well-known member

Feb 23, 2004

5,474

• Aug 24, 2021

• #17

Alexa turn the loft light on

 

GT49er

Well-known member

Feb 1, 2009

46,757

Gloucester

• Aug 24, 2021

• #18

Perkino said:

Just checked my supplies and have several 3 Amp fuses, would these be suitable or is 5 Amp the optimum

Click to expand...

I wouldn't be fussy - either should be fine.

 

Perkino

Well-known member

Dec 11, 2009

5,987

• Aug 24, 2021

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• #19

GT49er said:

I wouldn't be fussy - either should be fine.

Click to expand...

Perfect, I've just checked my bedside lights and as you stated no earth and just a 3Amp fuse

 

beorhthelm

A. Virgo, Football Genius

Jul 21, 2003

35,315

• Aug 24, 2021

• #20

Perkino said:

What would you recommend changing? I was of the opinion that the extension lead being earthed would prevent any power surge and simply blow the fuse involved

Click to expand...

the ropey socket. earth is to prevent shock, as you dont touch lights they dont (didnt) get earthed. fuses prevent overload and fire risk, though the two work to the same effect.