What is a double insulated light?

Double insulated lighting is a specialist form of lighting for homes without an earth connection. Homes typically built before the mid-1960s only tended to have a live and neutral connection without an earth connection for safety. Double insulated lights look exactly the same as normal lighting.

Can you make a light double insulated?

Obviously, today a lot of light fittings now use LED which creates very little heat, however double insulated lights are still required as any minor fault can still have disastrous consequences. Unfortunately, no matter how much you like a light fitting, if it’s not double insulated it cannot be converted to it.

Do double insulated lights need earth?

Double insulated lights are a specialist form of lighting that do not require an earth connection. This is very useful if your homes electrics are a little older & an earth connection isn’t present.

What happens if you earth a double insulated light?

From the outside a double insulated light looks exactly the same as a normally earthed light. If there was no earth wire present and the same issue occurred then the light would become live and a very dangerous situation would occur that could lead to electrocution and possibly death.

What does the double insulated symbol mean?

A Class II or double insulated product does not require a safety earth connection. A product with this symbol has been design so that it can safety be used ‘as it is’ without the need for any additional safety features (cases, covers, etc.)

What is Class 2 double insulated?

Class 2 double insulated lights are designed to operate without the need for an earth wire. They usually have two layers of insulation which cover the live parts, for example the cables inside the fitting.

Is Class 2 the same as double insulated?

Class 2 is the official term and double insulated is the more accepted term when it comes to the lighting industry.

Why don t some ceiling lights have an earth wire?

If any of our lamps, lights or bulb holders do not have an earth connection it will be because the outer surface is predominately made from a non conductive material such as glass, plastic, ceramic or bakelite etc, therefor it is not necessary to earth the unit.

Why is there no earth on double insulated?

Some appliances – such as vacuum cleaners and electric drills – do not have an earth wire. This is because they have plastic casings, or they have been designed so that the live wire cannot touch the casing. As a result, the casing cannot give an electric shock, even if the wires inside become loose.

Are fire rated downlights double insulated?

Double Insulated Recessed Downlights Whether you call them downlights or spotlights, our double insulated range doesnt require an earth connection and most are fire rated.

What are double insulated light fittings?

Double insulated light fittings are necessary where there is no earth cable. Double insulated lights may also be referred to as Class 2 or Class 11 lighting fixtures.

Can double insulated lighting be made from metal?

Double insulated lighting can be made from metal, is mentioned in the current electrical safety regulations that electricians adhere to, and is available for every room in your home. If your home was built during or before the 1960s you will often find that the existing wiring only has a live and a neutral wire.

How do I identify a Class 2 double insulated light?

A class 2 double insulated light can always be identified by a small ‘square with a square’ symbol found on the products silver manufacturers’ sticker (normally found on the back of the light). This symbol reassures you that an earth connection is not required for this particular light.

Are double insulated lights safe?

Double insulated lights have been designed and manufactured in such a way that if a fault occurred within the light itself it would remain safe, keeping you from harm.