Clear/Transparent flex

by **2000polkadots** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 12:14 pm

Hello,

I bought some clear flex to re-wire a vintage pendant light and i now realise i have no idea which wire is which. It has one copper wire and two silver, does that mean the copper is the earth, and if so how do i know which silver is neutral and which is live? totally confused.......

thanks.

by **ericmark** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:51 pm

You need to ring out each wire. Traditionally a bell and battery would be used so we still call it belling out or ringing out but today we use buzzers built into out test meters.
Are you sure the wire is for mains voltage? Finding silver and copper coloured wires in a flex is normally temperature compensating cable for measuring temperatures which if used for mains would heat up and could cause a fire.
Also clear flex is often extra low voltage with a max of 50 volt so do ensure it is suitable for the job.
Eric

by **2000polkadots** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 10:37 pm

Thanks for your help,

i did buy the flex from a lighting company that specailises in replcating and restoring vintage light fittings and fixtures, and there was no mention that it would not be suitable?!

by **2000polkadots** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:43 pm

Just an up-date..... i checked with the company i purchased the flex from and they said it can take up to 300v, so should be all right on that front...... just have to get down to working out which wire is which!!

by **ericmark** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 5:35 pm

No problems then I was just being sure.