Please help: Do LV spotlights classify as Part P

adcdiy · Post by **adcdiy** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 7:39 pm

Hi guys

I've gone and had some spotlights installed in my living room. I had wall fittings before, and the installation was just taking the existing wall light cable and using it to feed the spotlights. Transformers are fitted per light, and the spotlights themselves are CE-marked and fire-rated. The work has been done to a high standard by a local company but I don't think they are Part P Certified and so I won't get a certificate. The electrician however is qualified in another country but not the UK.

I have been growing increasingly nervous about whether I should have the installation certified. I just cannot understand whether my installation is notifiable or not. For instance I read one part p rule saying only non CE-marked Extra low voltage lights were notifiable but mine are just 12v low voltage and have CE on the box. Part p is confusing as hell.

So can you advise if I need a part p certification for this installation? And if so, can I get this retroactively as obviously the work is done and working?

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 8:15 pm

My understanding of part p is that this is not notifiable as it is not in a special location-

adding lighting points to an existing circuit does not seem notifiable!

adcdiy · Post by **adcdiy** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 8:16 pm

i've just seen in my collins DIY book though that any ELV (extra low voltage halogens) work (involving transformers) would be notifiable?

is this out of date information?

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 8:21 pm

Take a look here at the new part p document- http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/upload ... P_2006.pdf

then look at page 8

Part p has been changed a few times and one month you don't need to notify and then the next month you do!

You used to have to notify to change an electric shower or cooker, but now you don't have to as long as the circuit is already there!

Pert p is a pain in the butt

adcdiy · Post by **adcdiy** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 8:39 pm

what do you make of page 9 though. it says not notifiable unless in special location OR special installation, where special installation contains

- extra low voltage lighting installations, other than pre-assembled, CE marked lighting sets

so, my downlights are extra low voltage (max 50 volts). the question i suppose is what does "other than pre-assembled sets" mean. I am guessing this means halogens with a built-in transformer such as mains-powered ... my low voltage setup includes a transformer per lamp which may be deemed "special installation" even though the lamps themselves are CE marked.

perhaps i should contact the council

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 8:50 pm

As far as I can interpret the rules, your lights are not in a special location and are CE marked and so they do not require notifying.

Perhaps one of the sparks will confirm this

adcdiy · Post by **adcdiy** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 9:03 pm

yes i suppose it does read like that doesn't it. well, perhaps if anyone else wants to chime in that would be appreciated, otherwise i guess everything's alright.

the other reason i wanted to ensure what type of work it was is because the company that did it are not part p certified, so if i was to sell my property i was worried that certification for the lighting would be required, but i guess not if it does not fall under part p right?

thanks for all you time and help so far

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 9:12 pm

It is confusing and I don't pay much attention to part p to be honest as they keep bloomin changing it. I used to have an official part p document on this site and also a link to the part p section on the office of the deputy prime ministers website.

But they passed part p to another department and the document on my site was soon outdated.

I wouldn't worry too much about your lights, I am sure that they would not of fitted them if they needed to be part p registered!

You are welcome for the help so far, that is why we are here

Rich-Ando · Post by **Rich-Ando** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 10:26 pm

i would ask "Stoday" as he seems to be more on hand with the rule changes. i on the other hand, have given up with trying to figure out what is and isn't notifiable.

i just submit each job i do then that way i know i am covered.

Stoday · Post by **Stoday** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 1:18 am

The extra low voltage element of the light is already assembled. It's CE marked too, so it's NOT a special installation. Hence it's not notifiable because you're not installing it in a special location or a kitchen.

ian · Post by **ian** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 7:17 am

Yep, what Stoday says is 100% correct, no need to notify.