How to remove this light fitting

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andrewNZ

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Reply # 2100915 3-Oct-2018 18:17

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networkn:
Dumb question but do the LED lights have an earth connector? I presume if it does, it matters greatly which port you plug into, however the other two as I am led to believe, it doesn't matter, phase or neural as they auto switch?

First. Phase and neutral do physically matter a lot of the time, and legally matter all of the time.

As for an earth, it depends on the fitting. But if it has the terminal it probably has to be connected. I've never seen a fitting with an earth that doesn't need one, but they might exist.

If there is an earth wire, and the existing fitting has more than one cable to it, you need to connect the earth's together even if they aren't being used. This is so that a fitting downstream that needs an earth, has one.

I'd definitely recommend some of the newer fittings that have a standard three pin plug on them. Get the wiring changed once and never worry again.

Location: Dunedin

Goosey

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Reply # 2101034 3-Oct-2018 20:44

Wouldnt it be eaiser to just climb into the celing space and drop them from there?

BUT as Gregmcc says..... I think you need a proper sparkey. Hmmm auto switching phase and netural...wow.

honestly didnt think home owners were allowed to perform such job on wired lighting circuits?

networkn

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Reply # 2101065 3-Oct-2018 21:24

Goosey:

Wouldnt it be eaiser to just climb into the celing space and drop them from there?

BUT as Gregmcc says..... I think you need a proper sparkey. Hmmm auto switching phase and netural...wow.

honestly didnt think home owners were allowed to perform such job on wired lighting circuits?

Well, it's an interesting thing. Two different LED light places have called the terminals, ports and also said that they are so easy to install that you don't need a sparky. My brother in law said that the onboard electronics sorts out what goes where in terms of current so it doesn't matter where you put the cables. I didn't think it sounded right, so I thought I'd check. It's worth noting he isn't the first person to say that, I am 99% sure I also heard that from someone at the home show selling LED Downlights. If the terminals are labelled as Phase, Neutral and Ground, then I would definitely put them into those places. I actually wired half a dozen replacement wall sockets in my house about 5 years ago.

gregmcc

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Reply # 2101078 3-Oct-2018 21:46

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networkn:

Goosey:

Wouldnt it be eaiser to just climb into the celing space and drop them from there?

BUT as Gregmcc says..... I think you need a proper sparkey. Hmmm auto switching phase and netural...wow.

honestly didnt think home owners were allowed to perform such job on wired lighting circuits?

Well, it's an interesting thing. Two different LED light places have called the terminals, ports and also said that they are so easy to install that you don't need a sparky. My brother in law said that the onboard electronics sorts out what goes where in terms of current so it doesn't matter where you put the cables. I didn't think it sounded right, so I thought I'd check. It's worth noting he isn't the first person to say that, I am 99% sure I also heard that from someone at the home show selling LED Downlights. If the terminals are labelled as Phase, Neutral and Ground, then I would definitely put them into those places. I actually wired half a dozen replacement wall sockets in my house about 5 years ago.

1) don't listen to "lighting places" (I'm guessing retail light stores?) they are retailers not electricians and should not be dispensing electrical advice

2) legally it does matter where you put the wires (oh and electrically as well), ECP51 is a good start

3) stop listening to advice from people without suitable electrical qualifications (someone at home show selling led down lights included)

4) GET AN ELECTRICIAN.

SomeoneSomewhere

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Reply # 2101089 3-Oct-2018 21:57

The relevant rules are Regulation 57 and ECP 51.

removing and replacing any of the following kinds of fittings (but only if the work does not involve work on a switchboard) :

(i) switches, socket-outlets, and light fittings

OP can do it as long as it's his house. The sections requiring inspection and certification (by an inspector no less, not just an electrician) only apply if OP is "installing, extending, [or] altering subcircuits (including submains)"

If it has an earth terminal, it must be connected. If it does not, then join the earths using a suitable connector.

Line and neutral should be connected in the order marked on the fitting. If it's not marked, then it doesn't matter.

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