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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Electrical Questions >> Converting 12V wall lights to 230V https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1390061654 Message started by CWatters on Jan 18^th, 2014, 4:14pm

Title: Converting 12V wall lights to 230V
Post by CWatters on Jan 18^th, 2014, 4:14pm

I have 11 or 12 outside wall lights. Each has it's own 12V transformer but I suspect several are leaking. The whole circuit has been off for a few years due to it tripping the RCD.

I was planning on converting the light fittings to 230V by simply cutting the wire between the potting boxes on the SWA cable and the transformers and changing the MR16 sockets to GU10.

However I have a horrible feeling there is no earth wire in thw wire from the potting boxes to the transformers.

The obvious answer is to break open all the potting boxes and replace the wire with one containing an earth but that would mean a lot of work and 11 new potting boxes, resin etc etc.

Is there an alternative? Presumably I can't get away without an earth as the light fittings are copper.

Title: Re: Converting 12V wall lights to 230V
Post by scotspark on Jan 19^th, 2014, 3:23pm

fittings would need to be class 2

surprisingly some metal fittings are due to construction

Title: Re: Converting 12V wall lights to 230V
Post by CWatters on Jan 19^th, 2014, 5:27pm

Sadly they aren't class II. I suppose it might be possible for me to make them double insulated but could be difficult.

Title: Re: Converting 12V wall lights to 230V
Post by scotspark on Jan 23^rd, 2014, 8:18am

make them double insulated

or

Rewire with 3 core

or

replace fittings with suitable double insulated fittings