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sollysta Wiring Accessories Guide
7
BC lampholders
One of the fundamental requirements of BS 7671 is to
provide Basic protection against electric shock. This is
usually provided by preventing a current from passing
through the body. ie preventing someone from touching a
live part.
Section 416 gives the specific requirements of providing
basic protection and it is specified that live parts shall be
inside enclosures or behind barriers providing the degree of
protection to at least IPXXB or IP2X. If there is a horizontal
top surface of an enclosure which is readily accessible, this
degree of protection shall be at least IPXXD or IP4X.
The requirement of this regulation does not apply to certain
items of equipment such as BC lampholders to BS EN 61184
as access is required in order to insert the lamp. There is
therefore an electric shock risk if there was no lamp within
the holder. Today, safety lampholders are available which
incorporate a mechanism so that the exposed pins are not
live if there is no lamp inserted, thus providing a safer
installation - such bayonet lampholders with enhanced safety
comply with BS 7895.
“ Safety lampholders provide extra safety
when using BC lampholders ”.