I bought some metal wall lights and when I came to fit them, discovered that the fitting instructions state that they are "double insulated", hence no protective earth connection is needed. There are a 'box-in-a-box' and CE mark logos on the label as would be expected. See photo here: The brown and blue wires are clearly single insulated and could come into contact with the outer casing. Is the fitting actually double insulated? If so, I don't understand how.

Treat it as class 1, earth it. NT

Double insulated wall light?

Feb 03, 2015 24 Replies

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polygonum 11 years ago

I doubt that explains why items such as Apple Macbook Pro, Air and iPad, and Microsoft Surface Pro cause tingling.

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Huge 11 years ago

My Macbook Air doesn't.

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polygonum 11 years ago

With my partner's Macbook Air it depends which charger is used. Checked this out ages ago and, from memory, it happens using the charger with a plastic earth pin, but not when using the trefoil lead which makes it earthed. IYSWIM

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Andy Burns 11 years ago

But have you used it in the right/wrong situation to feel it?

My alloy chassis, double-insulated laptop doesn't normally give a tingle, exept if I need to work in a wiring closet where I temporarily place the laptop on top of a half-height metal rack, while wearing a short sleeved shirt then rest my forearms across the rack to type on the laptop ... hello tingling!

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Andy Burns 11 years ago

Yes, the travel charger I cart around with me takes C7 2-pin mains (or

12V cigar lighter or 15V EmPower) but the bulkier chargers at home and work where I have docking stations take C5 3-pin.

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