Help! Is this wiring correct?

[Clocks]

I’m having my house extended and they have run a grey 2 core cable with black and red wires coming out of it ( but no apparent earth) to all the downlights and I think the same or similar to the sockets and light switches. Is this correct wiring? I read something about red and black being old wiring and I am concerned about not seeing an earth cable. Advice will be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[mattg4321]

Post a picture of the end of the cable please?

 

[Strima]

As above we need a picture of the end of the cable. Also how old is the property?

 

[Pete999]

Post a picture of the end of the cable please?

 

[Pete999]

I’m having my house extended and they have run a grey 2 core cable with black and red wires coming out of it ( but no apparent earth) to all the downlights and I think the same or similar to the sockets and light switches. Is this correct wiring? I read something about red and black being old wiring and I am concerned about not seeing an earth cable. Advice will be much appreciated. Thanks.

In the picture you provided it shows the cable pushed up in to the ceiling and has green and yellow tape on it, are these cables live? if yes be careful taking a pic of thd cores of the cable.

 

[telectrix]

that cable certainly looks like T/E.

 

[Spoon]

Also turn off the mains and take a pic of the wiring to a socket and light switch.

Oh and welcome to the forum mate.

 

[littlespark]

You are right in saying red and black are old colours. Stopped being used around 2005.

It’s not right, but I’ve seen T&E run to new downlights with the earths cut off. There has to be an earth run to every point in case a metal accessory is fitted in the future.

Where would anyone buy twin without an earth these days?

I would think the earths have been cut off at the lights, but are present at the switches and sockets.
Is there any empty cable drums left or in a skip you can see? The cable number will be 6242Y for regular twin and earth

 

[telectrix]

got to be better than this. found in pete999's attic. .

 

[ruston]

Judging by the screws in the plasterboard that downlighter is very close to the joist.
Also there appears to be an earth wire sleeved showing , but not clearly .

 

[westward10]

Looks like taped up joints in the ceiling cavity. Going to enlighten us @Clocks

 

[Pete999]

got to be better than this. found in pete999's attic. .
View attachment 50761

Fhat's far older than me and you Tel, don't think you would be up to get into my loft Mate.

 

[telectrix]

Judging by the screws in the plasterboard that downlighter is very close to the joist.
Also there appears to be an earth wire sleeved showing , but not clearly .

looks to me like it's in the joist.

 

[ruston]

looks to me like it's in the joist.

I agree. It nearly has to be.

 

[telectrix]

WARNING..... cowboy alert.....

 

[Deleted account]

Have the builders supplied the electrician?
If so ask the contractor what he thinks or ask th electrician himself.

Yes this is wrong.

Worryingly if this is wrong what else is wrong?

Ask if he is qualified and registered. Get proof.

Possibly get another spark in to check or if building control is involved ask them for a visit. They will know.

Not ideal I know, but you don’t want the project finished to find it then needs putting right.

 

[Clocks]

Hi all, so it looks like I made a huge mistake. The grey cable actually has a brown and blue wire coming out of it and a copper wire in between (the earth wire I believe). I was looking at an old cable. So sorry.

The green/yellow earth wire in the photo is attached to and comes with the light fitting. The tape that can been seen around the cable is holding two cables together as opposed to a joint.

Hopefully this means that the electrician is using the correct cable.

One other thing I forgot to check was the width of the grey cable as I’ve heard that it should be different for lights and sockets (1.5/2.5mm) although I’m not sure why.

 

[Spoon]

One other thing I forgot to check was the width of the grey cable as I’ve heard that it should be different for lights and sockets (1.5/2.5mm) although I’m not sure why.

The lighting circuit is usually protected by a 6A breaker, therefore 1mm or 1.5mm is fine.
The socket circuit is usually protected by a 32A breaker, therefore 2.5mm or 4mm is fine, depending on circuit type.

 

[Deleted account]

Good result.

 

[littlespark]

Still not too smart having choc block connections wrapped in insulating tape, if that’s what I’m seeing??

 

[DPG]

I think he said the tape was just holding two cables together rather than covering a join.

 

[Clocks]

Yes not a connection. Just holding cables together. Sorry to have wasted everyone’s time on this. I got really panicked.

 

[davesparks]

Yes not a connection. Just holding cables together. Sorry to have wasted everyone’s time on this. I got really panicked.

At any point did you consider discussing your concerns with the electrician doing the job rather than going behind their back?

 

[Clocks]

Of course but I wanted to understand whether I was right/wrong/clarify before approaching him. I wasn’t going behind his back, just wanted to be more sure of my concerns before speaking/confronting him.

 

[littlespark]

It’s fine to ask. You just wanted a second opinion. You got third, fourth, twelfth all at once.

What sort of downlights use those brackets? I presume they get buried in plaster then the light is fitted after decoration?
Do plasterers like these things? How easy is it for them compared to just a hole to spread around?
I measure where any obstruction is, and drill a clean hole afterwards avoiding any joists.

 

[SparkyAndGeorge]

It’s fine to ask. You just wanted a second opinion. You got third, fourth, twelfth all at once.

What sort of downlights use those brackets? I presume they get buried in plaster then the light is fitted after decoration?
Do plasterers like these things? How easy is it for them compared to just a hole to spread around?
I measure where any obstruction is, and drill a clean hole afterwards avoiding any joists.

Top tip I was taught once: drill pilot hole first, stick a wire coat hanger up and spin 360 degrees to final check for joists

 

[JK-Electrical]

What sort of downlights use those brackets?

The trimless recessed type:

Arc led plaster-in led downlights, trimless gu10 downlight, ADLT001BB/MW UK

SKU:ARC-PIDL Lamp Required: GU10 Maximum Wattage: 50W IP Rating: IP20 Cut Out: 85mm Overall Diameter: 120mm Depth: 54mm Baffle Finish: Matt Black Paint Finish: Matt White

arc-led.co.uk

I presume they get buried in plaster then the light is fitted after decoration?

Spot on!

 

[Clocks]

It’s fine to ask. You just wanted a second opinion. You got third, fourth, twelfth all at once.

What sort of downlights use those brackets? I presume they get buried in plaster then the light is fitted after decoration?
Do plasterers like these things? How easy is it for them compared to just a hole to spread around?
I measure where any obstruction is, and drill a clean hole afterwards avoiding any joists.

Yes they are plaster over lights. I am told (by the lighting shop) that plasters love them especially as the lip gives them a guide as to thickness of skim.

 

[westward10]

This is your third thread. This one a vehicle charging point and a patio heater. Why are you not consulting your electrician?