rewiring chandelier Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[big sp]

I bought an old chandelier recently and I'm attempting to rewire it. I would like to do it to recent specifications (quoted everywhere) but can't seem to find out what they are! Can anyone help?? It's metal, five arms, doesn't seem to have an earth, just live and neutral.

[moggy1968]

you must have an earth on a metal fitting, otherwise, if a conductor comes out (which happens more often than you might think) the whole fitting could become live, which will be entertaining next time you try and change a bulb!!
can you tap an earth onto the fitting somewhere?
if you can't get an earth then you absolutely must not use this fitting.

[big sp]

Thanks for that - in newer chandeliers i've seen earth wire going to the main body of the fitting but not the arms. I'll try that.

[marconii]

[quote="big sp"]I bought an old chandelier recently and I'm attempting to rewire it. I would like to do it to recent specifications (quoted everywhere) but can't seem to find out what they are! Can anyone help?? It's metal, five arms, doesn't seem to have an earth, just live and neutral.[/quote]

YOU MUST have an earth...........even if your fitting doesnt mention an earth......some older fittings will not give this requirement..!!

mark

[big sp]

[quote="marconii"][quote="big sp"]I bought an old chandelier recently and I'm attempting to rewire it. I would like to do it to recent specifications (quoted everywhere) but can't seem to find out what they are! Can anyone help?? It's metal, five arms, doesn't seem to have an earth, just live and neutral.[/quote]

YOU MUST have an earth...........even if your fitting doesnt mention an earth......some older fittings will not give this requirement..


So...... this chandelier didn't have an earth before, what's the best way to go about installing it. I've seen some newer chandeliers with earth to the main body, via a connection to the main stem,not the arms. I've seen others with an earth wire connection soldered to a metal part. Can I get these connectors ready to fit? Also I've seen metal light fittings on the market with no earth but the double insulated sign. Does this mean if i use double insulated wire ie cable, i'm covered?