To earth or not ?

UrbanFox

Many years ago I put up an external 500w floodlight (not a PIR security light) controlled by a switch.

It is located under the eaves of a 2 storey house.

I used 3 core outdoor spec. cable and tied the earth in with the other earth connections back at the board. Subsequently, the house was rewired. I discovered to-day that the electrician who did the rewire disconnected the earth connection for the floodlight.

The light fitting cannot be accessed except by a double ladder. When I change the bulb I switch off the relevant circuit breaker anyway even though the light is controlled through a switch.

Should a floodlight or a security light be earthed or not ?

Daft though this might sound I am now wondering if an external light fitting mounted under the eaves could act as a lightning conductor if the earth is tied in to the domestic wiring ? If so, is it better left unearthed ?

Andrea B.

Any item which has an earth terminal supplied by the manufacturer, for the purpose of earthing, must be earthed.

A bolt of lightning will probably have a better route to earth through the body of your house than a 1.5mm earth and anyhow it has the route to earth via the existing neutral in the light.

If an earth was left out after a rewire, it's often a cowboy route to stop an RCD tripping, though lighting shouldn't be on an RCD circuit, but your light could be spurred off an RCD circuit, but that's all second-guessing.

Hope this helps.