DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

I am wanting to replace a very old outside light. The house was built in 1980 and all of the internal lighting is earthed. However, on removal of the old external light cover, the wiring that supplies it appears not to be. Please see the attached image.

The main grey wire at the back of the fitting (that runs up the outside of the house and disappears under the soffit) only appears to have two wires in it. The brown one that is connected to the light, and a black one that has been pared back.

The grey wire at the front (that goes through the wall to the light switch near the patio door) also appears to only have two wires in it too. The black one that is connected to the light, and the stump of the other which is hanging out and which the covering of has faded so badly that you can’t tell what colour it was to start with.

Personally I would replace with another class II lamp, however in theory since 1966 all supplies to fixed equipment except for the lighting pendent needs to have an earth taken to the unit even if not required with low voltage wiring (230 volt) only with extra low voltage is it permitted not to run an earth.

Thank you :)