Does exposed basic insulation on downlights need to be resolved.

On EICR prior to a CU change I found about 12 downlights with basic insulation exposed, some connections in connector strip and some connector strip covered in insulation tape.

Napit code breakers recommends a C2 in this situation. 

 Best practice guide 4 says providing they are not easily accessible or likely to come in to contact with metal work code C3 is recommended.

In my mind best practice guide 4 is probably the more sensible approach. 

Something that I come across regularly

My planned approach going forward with exposed basic insulation will probably be:-

    In enclosed roof/floor space between building floors  C3

    In loft space with easy access C2

Connector strip covered in insulation tape C3

Not sure how I feel about just covering exposed connector strip with tape.

If I have to actually re-make the joints labour costs as much as the lights, so replacing probably makes sense and gives a good result providing hole size doesn't exceed say 85mm.

But if the existing holes exceed 100mm I end up using something like a 135mm concealer ring   which is a great technical solution, but in my opinion doesn't look great.

I think it's a reasonable solution if the customer has no plans to make other changes in the next few years.

My current customers plan to renew their kitching in the next year, I am sure they won't live with a compromise solution for the new kitchen. which means whatever I ask them to pay for replacing the lights or remedial work will effectively  be throw away money.

I am sure if I ask NAPIT support line 3 times I will get 3 different answers, all eventually coming down to the statement, use your engineering judgement. This email is an attempt to get opinions to help form that judgement.

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  • At work,we define insulating tape as 'site applied insulation' in the installer's instructions for antenna cables, but only call it up for keeping drizzle out of connectors that are already IP 44 - not actually relying on it as 'insulating'.

    If the building is forming the enclosure - as it probably is in the ceiling to floor void, unless there are holes you can get a hand into then arguably it is not exposed to touch without the use of tools and nothing need be done, other than muttering about *** cowboys... that is an essential part of the assessment...


    Single insulation in the form of exposed coloured cores is poor practice but less of a risk that a choc-block where there is exposed metal, and that in turn is better when the screws and terminals are well down in the tunnels compared to the cheap clone stuff where the metal can be touched, or anything made off where there is a hedgehog of copper ends poking out the end...

    If it is exposed and may be easily touched without tools- like your loft example, these sort of things can be sometimes be  fitted without actually undoing anything, if you throw away the supplied terminal block and use nylon cable ties instead of the rather useless supplied cable clamps then the retro fitting can be  less than a minute and probably compares with a well done tape job. . Of course there will be cases that do not fit...

    In terms of real risk, perhaps ask yourself is it more or less of a hazard than a traditional  bayonet lampholder ?

    Mike.

Reply
  • At work,we define insulating tape as 'site applied insulation' in the installer's instructions for antenna cables, but only call it up for keeping drizzle out of connectors that are already IP 44 - not actually relying on it as 'insulating'.

    If the building is forming the enclosure - as it probably is in the ceiling to floor void, unless there are holes you can get a hand into then arguably it is not exposed to touch without the use of tools and nothing need be done, other than muttering about *** cowboys... that is an essential part of the assessment...


    Single insulation in the form of exposed coloured cores is poor practice but less of a risk that a choc-block where there is exposed metal, and that in turn is better when the screws and terminals are well down in the tunnels compared to the cheap clone stuff where the metal can be touched, or anything made off where there is a hedgehog of copper ends poking out the end...

    If it is exposed and may be easily touched without tools- like your loft example, these sort of things can be sometimes be  fitted without actually undoing anything, if you throw away the supplied terminal block and use nylon cable ties instead of the rather useless supplied cable clamps then the retro fitting can be  less than a minute and probably compares with a well done tape job. . Of course there will be cases that do not fit...

    In terms of real risk, perhaps ask yourself is it more or less of a hazard than a traditional  bayonet lampholder ?

    Mike.

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