[alonso14]

I am trying to grow tomatoes indoors and recently purchased an energy saving light bulb for the purpose. It’s spec is as follows: E40 2700 K-red spectrum 125W 220/240 V 50/60 Hz. The light comes with a connector, which I want to know how to wire up? Is it like a normal light fitting where just the live and neutral wires are connected or does it need earthed in any way?

[tkrussell]

I am guessing by your use of the word "earth", that you may be in the UK.

Here is the color codes in UK found at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_wiring_(UK)

The standard wiring colours in the UK are (as of 2006) the same as elsewhere in Europe and Australia and follow international standard IEC 60446. This colour scheme had already been introduced for appliance flexes in the UK in the early 1970s, however the IEE recommended for fixed wiring until 2006 a different scheme. As a result, the international standard blue/brown scheme is as of 2006 found in all but the oldest appliance flexes. In fixed wiring, the blue/brown scheme is only found in very new (post-2004) installations, and electricians are likely to encounter the old IEE black/red scheme in existing installations for many more decades.

Pre-2004 IEE Current IEC
Protective earth (PE) Green or blank Green/yellow striped
Neutral (N) Black Blue
Single phase: Live (L) Red Brown

See if this helps. If not get back with your questions.

[tkrussell]

Disagreeing is fine, but how can you disagree with to no answer.

I was not sure if this would help you, this is why I asked for you to get back with your questions if it did not help.

I also tried to imlpy that I did not know where you are located, so I can help better.

Are you in the UK or some other country besieds the US?

Can you provide the spec of the connector? Or a picture, or a model number?

The information provided E40 2700 K-red spectrum 125W 220/240 V 50/60 Hz is not enough to help.

I had to start someplace so I thought I would start with the color codes.

[alonso14]

Easy tiger, I'm not slagging you. I'm in the UK yes, and no I not sure of the model of connector. There are two screws on the outside of connector which I take are for two wires, these are subsequently connected to the inside of connector. I tried wiring the live and neutral to these while tapping the ground (earth) to the co-axial cable. The light worked for several hours but during this time something must have blew something. The sockets switch had tripped on my main board and the light ceased to operate. I have since got a new light and would just like to know if I done anything wrong initially?

[tkrussell]

The earth ground should not connect to the neutral. If the cord to the light only has two wires, then one must be the hot, red or brown , and the other must be the neutral, either blue or black.

If the cord and light had an earth ground, the cord should have a Green or blank Green/yellow striped wire, and it would connect only to the metal housing or case of the fixture.

Should not connect the earth to anything else but the metal case.

See, this is why I gave you the color codes.

Slagging? What is that? Gee I wish you English spoke english.

[omzig]

Slagging? What is that? Gee I wish you English spoke english.

It must mean ungrateful.:rolleyes: