Earth a GU10 light fixing for custom table lamp?

[flanajb]

I have a requirement to make a table lamp using a GU10 light fixing so that an LED lamp can be fitted. The GU10 fitting does not have an earth connection as it is made with a bakelight type material and as such would be insulated. My plan was to use a twin core flex from the plug through an inline switch and into the concealed GU10 fitting.

As the lamp contains no metal parts that could become live if a fault occurred can I forget about an earth?

 

[Monkey Mark]

I have a requirement to make a table lamp using a GU10 light fixing so that an LED lamp can be fitted. The GU10 fitting does not have an earth connection as it is made with a bakelight type material and as such would be insulated. My plan was to use a twin core flex from the plug through an inline switch and into the concealed GU10 fitting.

As the lamp contains no metal parts that could become live if a fault occurred can I forget about an earth?

Fine without an earth.
Many lamps go without. If there is a fault, it just stops working as there is no moving parts to move and create an earth fault.

 

[flanajb]

I have a requirement to make a table lamp using a GU10 light fixing so that an LED lamp can be fitted. The GU10 fitting does not have an earth connection as it is made with a bakelight type material and as such would be insulated. My plan was to use a twin core flex from the plug through an inline switch and into the concealed GU10 fitting.

As the lamp contains no metal parts that could become live if a fault occurred can I forget about an earth?

Fine without an earth.
Many lamps go without. If there is a fault, it just stops working as there is no moving parts to move and create an earth fault.

Thanks. Just for my own understanding. Is an earth only required when you have metal parts that could become live and be touched?

 

[n0legs]

Could a spilt drink/fluid make contact wth any `live' parts?

 

[Monkey Mark]

I have a requirement to make a table lamp using a GU10 light fixing so that an LED lamp can be fitted. The GU10 fitting does not have an earth connection as it is made with a bakelight type material and as such would be insulated. My plan was to use a twin core flex from the plug through an inline switch and into the concealed GU10 fitting.

As the lamp contains no metal parts that could become live if a fault occurred can I forget about an earth?

Fine without an earth.
Many lamps go without. If there is a fault, it just stops working as there is no moving parts to move and create an earth fault.

Thanks. Just for my own understanding. Is an earth only required when you have metal parts that could become live and be touched?

Basically, yes.
Most lamps are Double insulated.

"A Class II or double insulated electrical appliance is one which has been designed in such a way that it does not require a safety connection to electrical earth (ground).

The basic requirement is that no single failure can result in dangerous voltage becoming exposed so that it might cause an electric shock and that this is achieved without relying on an earthed metal casing. This is usually achieved at least in part by having two layers of insulating material surrounding live parts or by using reinforced insulation.

In Europe, a double insulated appliance must be labelled Class II or double insulated or bear the double insulation symbol (a square inside another square).

Insulated AC/DC power supplies (such as cell-phone chargers) are typically designated as Class II, meaning that the DC output wires are isolated from the AC input. The designation "Class II" should not be confused with the designation "Class 2", as the latter is unrelated to insulation (it originates from standard UL 1310, setting limits on maximum output voltage/current/power)."