Is this ceiling light compliant?

[Ultim8Powers]

Hi

I've just purchased a metal framed ceiling light from AliExpress and I am concerned that it has no earth connection or double insulated labelling, and it's not double insulated anyway.

I know buying from AliExpress is not the best idea but I really liked the design and plenty of UK sites are selling the same thing at 400% mark ups, so I assumed it must meet basic standards.

Required self assembly of course, with thin 240v wires running through each of the 'branches'. Only a single layer of insulation between the wires and the metal frame. To make matters worse it came with 'wire nuts' to join everything together, which I'll certainly be swapping out for Wagos.

Even if I were to earth the central 'hub', I'm not convinced it will earth each of the lamps, as the metal frames and even the threads are painted, likely preventing a good earth bond throughout. The spiky locking washers probably help scratch through the paint a little mind you.

Any suggestions? I will do a continuity test between each lamp frame, but should I run an earth through each branch and scratch back the paint at each terminal point just to be sure? (7nr earth wires including the central lamp not pictured)

Page Not Found - Aliexpress.com

 

[Risteard]

Throw it in the bin. That's my advice.

 

[littlespark]

If the connections are sound, and there’s no loose strands of wire hanging out… there’s no reason it won’t be safe if the metal is earthed.
The arms are all connected with serated washers, so they’ve got a good contact.

I would worry more that the electronics on the end of each arm are safe, and reliable.

 

[snowhead]

The wiring in the arms looks to be low voltage, is there a transformer / power supply in the part that fixes to the ceiling?

 

[littlespark]

Th

The wiring in the arms looks to be low voltage, is there a transformer / power supply in the part that fixes to the ceiling?

That’s what I thought at first, but then, it is from Ali express… don’t assume anything.

 

[Ultim8Powers]

Throw it in the bin. That's my advice.

Probably the best suggestion haha... but I particularly like the design. Wiring aside its good quality construction.

I would worry more that the electronics on the end of each arm are safe, and reliable.

The wiring in the arms looks to be low voltage, is there a transformer / power supply in the part that fixes to the ceiling?

Nope, 240v all the way, just 12W at each fitting hence the thin wires I guess. I'm actually considering replacing all the LED units anyway, partially for safety and partially because they are not dimmable - my home is wired with smart home dimmer modules from Fibaro so would be a shame to disable the dimming functions in this room.

These will fit into each housing nicely and not too expensive so maybe the way to go, I could pull some double insulated wires through the 'branches' whilst I'm at it.

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[littlespark]

The thin wires may be reinforced insulation.... much stiffer than regular cable insulation, so doesn't need to be double insulated....

 

[brianmoooore]

I'd be happy to have this in my home, as long as it was on a 30mA RCD protected circuit, and with the addition of an earth wire connected to the central steel joint box.
I've rewired several chandeliers over the years when rewiring large houses, and done similar to these, based on my own engineering judgement.

 

[GeorgeCooke]

The wiring in the arms looks to be low voltage, is there a transformer / power supply in the part that fixes to the ceiling?

Mains is low voltage.

 

[GeorgeCooke]

To make matters worse it came with 'wire nuts' to join everything together, which I'll certainly be swapping out for Wagos.



View attachment 97198

Page Not Found - Aliexpress.com

Wagos can't be used with stranded cables.

 

[Risteard]

Mains is low voltage.

Indeed it is Winston.

 

[Risteard]

Wagos can't be used with stranded cables.

How have you come to that conclusion? Appropriate Wago connectors can be used with fine stranded cables. Any of the ones I can think of can be used with (non-fine or very fine) stranded cable.

 

[GeorgeCooke]

Indeed it is Winston.

?

 

[Avo Mk8]

Wagos can't be used with stranded cables.

null

WAGO’s 221 connects solid, stranded and fine-stranded conductors easily, quickly and safely.

www.wago.com

 

[GeorgeCooke]

OK. Thanks, I was mistaken.

 

[DPG]

Mains is low voltage.

You know what he means. You are just being pedantic. It is often easier to use the term 'low voltage' in this way to the layman. No point confusing members of the public with technical definitions of LV and ELV.

 

[GeorgeCooke]

You know what he means. You are just being pedantic. It is often easier to use the term 'low voltage' in this way to the layman. No point confusing members of the public with technical definitions of LV and ELV.

But if you do that the layman will never learn from his/her mistakes.

 

[DPG]

But if you do that the layman will never learn from his/her mistakes.

The question was from a DIYer. Hence people keeping things simple.

 

[GeorgeCooke]

Nothing simple about using the wrong terms which could cause confusion and danger.

 

[brianmoooore]

As far as a DIYer is concerned, 230V AC is high voltage, whatever the official definition is.