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How do I wire an old light fitting into the mains?

I have bought an antique light fitting which comes with a brass ceiling rose through which you feed the cable. I bought a new fitting - the cable and the bit you put the bulb in but don't know how to wire it because the cable doesn't have an earth and the old brass rose has nowhere to earth anyway. Can someone who knows about these things please tell me what I should do? I'll be very grateful for your help!

Public Comments

1. For the love of all things holy.... get in a sparky.... or you'll be playing a harp on a fluffy white cloud with your standing on end!!!!
2. PHONE AN ELECTRICIAN
3. usually it's a good idea to have old fittings rewired. However - mostly these old lights have two wires and it doesn't matter which goes to live and which to neutral. Ignore the earth terminal. Make sure you turn the mains off before you start!
4. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!! Take the advice offered by the others!!! BUT NOT joanne668 - she will kill herself one day too! honest!
5. although im an electrician im not saying how to wire it because it too dangerous for a DIYer who is not licenced. call a licenced electrician in..its worth every dollar spent
6. call in an electrition I doubt he will charge a lot to do it
7. I've re-wired and fitted hundreds of these old light fitting over many years, and if I saw it I could tell you exactly what to do. However I would not attempt to, as you could go wrong, as they are sometimes difficult to make compliant with the regulations. However they MUST be earthed, contray to an answer above.
8. The fitting has to be earthed, to not do so would be potentially fatal in the event of a fault. You could earth it yourself, but you wouldn't be sure that it was done properly. An electrician would be able to put a loop test on the exposed metal to check the quality of the earth.
9. All wiring in G.B. should have earth. If not then You should consult an electrician IMMEDIATELY. This is a safety precaution measure.
10. get the professional to do it