ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade Non-US Electrical Systems & Trades Standard German ceiling light mounting?

You could always buy a stock of 230V bulbs and hook it up to a US 220-240V supply with 2 Hots.. it should be fine

By the way Steve,
Just a clarification on the mounting of your light fitting.
I'd be installing the box in behind the base of the fitting as per your local Codes.
Installing a foreign fitting does in no way negate your need to comply with any laws and so forth for your particular area.

It looks like that mounting bar might even bolt quite nicely into the box anyway! It has slots that allow you to adjust the position of the screws horizontally along the bar.
Just fit it diagnolly across the box and the fitting's base will cover the entire thing!

Failing that I guess you'll have to make a plate.


This is the current French system: (rated 6A 230V 50Hz)
(flush fitted box with socket)


With mouting hook:




the plug fits almost flat into the recessed socket. so can fit comfortably behind any fitting.

These are obligatory since October 1st, 2001 in all new houses/apartments in France.
Under NF C 15_100

Cenelec should pick a system and force harmonisation across europe though as then we could require light manufacturers to provide compatable fittings!
Where a plug/socket system wasn't fitted a small trailing socket could still be installed behind the fitting and pushed into the hole above in the ceiling!

The French system is a lot neater than the "klik" lighting sockets used in the UK and is almost completely flat on the ceiling even with a plug inserted due to the recessed socket.



[This message has been edited by djk (edited 02-04-2005).]

I hadn't seen the French system before. Very similar but seemingly superior to the Swedish. Sometimes forcing French ideas onto the rest of Europe isn't such a bad idea

I measured measured a few covers in my home:

Smallest: 75 mm dia, 50 mm high. --> cramped

Biggest: 90 mm dia, 70 mm high --> plenty of room.

The sleekest looking cover is not the smallest.

All the guys here already gave a pretty nice explanation, so I'll just add some details.
The mounting strip on such a light is usually fixed to the ceiling in whatever way the HO wants to... sometimes they just drive drywall screws into the ceiling. For good support they should be screwed to a joist.
Yes, all connections are made inside the cover on the fixture. Yours is about the smallest one I've ever seen though. We jokingly call those covers "yoghurt cups" due to their shape. IMHO plenty of room to fit up to 3 1,5mm2 wires (around 16AWG THHN) and a choc block. Another common way is a solid hook drilled into the ceiling. Long ago I posted some schematic drawings, maybe I can dig them up.

Somebody else e-mailed me with a similar idea just a few days ago. Unfortunately, it's a no go:

https://www.electrical-contractor.net/ubb/Forum1/HTML/005437.html