When you start to undertake a DIY project,you never know what you might find out about your property.
For example,in houses built during or prior to the 1960s,it may be that the lighting circuit does not have an earth cable-the one that's coloured yellow and green as standard.
If this is the case in your home,you have two options.One is to have an electrician rewire the property-but this can be a big,expensive job.
The other solution is to choose specially made ceiling lights and other lighting fixtures that are safe for this kind of situation.These are called double insulated lights,and are also known as Class 2 lights.The wire covering on this kind of light is extra thick to prevent live cables becoming exposed and causing fire or other shock hazards.
If you have determined that your home needs Class 2 lights,you should look out for fixtures with the double insulated symbol-the outline of a small black square inside a larger black square.
Because the lack of an earth wire is a fairly common problem in lighting circuits across the country,there are plenty of double insulated light fixtures to choose from-whether you're redecorating your decor or trying to add a bit of extra illumination to a room that seems a bit dark.
Indeed,products range from crystal chandeliers to table lamps,while a number of options are also available for outdoor use.
Installing these fixtures is no more complicated than standard lighting.In fact,you could say that it's easier,as there are fewer wires to worry about.
As with any electrical project,just make sure the electricity supply to the circuit is turned off and confirm that there's no power getting to the wiring by using a voltage tester.
