Metal light fittings but no earth wire

delila · Post by **delila** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 4:06 pm

I fancy getting a new metal light fitting for the living room, but I have checked the existing ceiling rose and there is no earth wire

Could I still fit this light fitting without the earth wire or is this really dangerous?

If I do need an earth wire can I just borrow one from a socket in the room above ?

Thanks

Delila

diypeter · Post by **diypeter** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 8:04 pm

iam sure there must be an earth on the feed cable going into the rose but iam no expert some one will post up soon delila

jason123 · Post by **jason123** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 8:52 pm

Someone in the past may have snipped it off after installing a double insulated light. The live and neutral that you can see, turn the power off, and follow back to where they both enter the outer sheath of insulation, the earth will be in there somewhere, will probably mean an awkward bit of digging around.

Alternately, get a double insulated light

RF Lighting · Post by **RF Lighting** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 9:05 pm

If there really is no earth wire at the ceiling rose (ie not snipped off), then this indicates that your wiring is pre 1970s, and the first thing to do is employ an electrician to ascertain how old the wiring is, and what condition the installation is in.

You may be better off saving the money from the light, and putting it towards getting the wiring sorted.

You must not put up a metal fitting is the circuit is not earthed, as this could be very dangerous.

Ducati Jack · Post by **Ducati Jack** » Thu May 03, 2007 7:49 pm

What RFL said