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Who Polices The Safety of Lighting?

Foffer

I have questioned a supplier about an unsafe light fitting.  In the data sheet and on the equipment it is marked Class 1 but I found that the metal pattress is the only part that is earthed, where the terminals are.  The pendant part which hangs by its own cabling does not have any earth continuity with the pattress although it is all made of steel.  The supplier said they would look into it and then sent me back a communication from the manufacturer stating (in terrible English, full of incorrect terms) explaining that although the pattress was Class 1, the pendant was Class 2.  They also attached the ENEC certification which clearly shows it is Class 1 with no mention of any part being Class 2

I have two questions please.

I didn't think it was possible to have one piece of equipment which is both Class 1 and 2, please confirm.

What body should I report this to in order to stop an unsafe light fitting being sold?

Thanks for your help.

Parents
  • 0

    First can you clarify how is it unsafe ?  And if it really is, then trading standards via citizen's advice bureau. 

    Class 0 (live parts inside unearthed metal case ) and 0A  live parts inside metal box with earth terminal but no fixed CPC) are potentially single fault to danger and considered unsafe in the EU and UK.
    Parts with either an earthed outer or reinforced insulation between live parts and exposed metal are considered double fault to danger and therefore safe. Protection of the first kind is Class I protection of the second kind is Class II, also called double insulation.  Plenty of devices actually combine these concepts - you may have a laptop supply with a CPC but an unearthed DC output as another example.

    Mike.

    Mike.

Reply
  • 0

    First can you clarify how is it unsafe ?  And if it really is, then trading standards via citizen's advice bureau. 

    Class 0 (live parts inside unearthed metal case ) and 0A  live parts inside metal box with earth terminal but no fixed CPC) are potentially single fault to danger and considered unsafe in the EU and UK.
    Parts with either an earthed outer or reinforced insulation between live parts and exposed metal are considered double fault to danger and therefore safe. Protection of the first kind is Class I protection of the second kind is Class II, also called double insulation.  Plenty of devices actually combine these concepts - you may have a laptop supply with a CPC but an unearthed DC output as another example.

    Mike.

    Mike.

Children
  • 0 in reply to mapj1

    Thank you Mike.  I can see that my safety worry does not fall into Class 0 or Class 0A.  The reason for my safety worry was - The lighting pendant's label states that it could have up to 2 x 60W bulbs within an enclosed glass bowl about the size of a small flattened football.  The E27 lamp holders are mounted to a metal base which is clamped in place with a centre stud arrangement.  I worry that with age the heat may degrade the bulb holders allowing the metal to become live.  Considering yours and Simon's comments about Class 1 equipment possibly having parts which are double insulated, it could possibly be the case here, because I incorrectly thought that all metal parts of a class 1 item had to be earthed.  This equipment has the Class 1 symbol, but on the non-earthed pendant there is no double insulated symbol.  Surely this situation would make it difficult to pass a PAT, if it were subject to test?  Thanks also for the CAB info.

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