GB2085239A

GB2085239A - Lighting circuits

Info

Publication number: GB2085239A
Application number: GB8030457A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: TENBY ELECT ACCESSORIES Ltd
Current assignee: TENBY ELECT ACCESSORIES Ltd
Priority date: 1980-09-20
Filing date: 1980-09-20
Publication date: 1982-04-21

Abstract

A lighting circuit includes a support, which may be a ceiling rose 1, having an aperture 18 behind which is located a gas discharge lamp 17. The lamp 17 is connected in the circuit so that it will be illuminated when the lighting switch 15 is closed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Lighting circuits This invention relates to lighting circuits more particularly, but not exclusively, to domestic lighting circuits.

In a domestic lighting circuit a lamp holder is provided into which a lamp can be inserted to effect the electrical connections to the lamp and also to carry the weight of the lamp. The lamp holder itself must also be supported and this can be effected by means of a supportwhich is integral with the lamp holder or more often in the case of the domestic circuit, by means of a support which is secured to the ceiling and known as a ceiling rose. The circuit includes a switch or switches for controlling the current flow to the lamp.

In the situation where a lamp has failed then removal of the lamp from the holder for the purpose of replacement, exposes the connecting members of the lamp holder. One of these members in a correctly wired circuit will be connected to the neutral supply line whilst the other may or may not be connected to the line depending upon the position of the switch or switches. Whilst in a single way circuit it should be possible for the average person to decide when the switch is off, this is not the case where the circuit is a two-way circuit unless the person has been particularly observant. There is a substantial risk therefore that when the lamp is removed from the holder, the aforesaid other memberwill be live and will therefore pose a hazard.The only practical way of preventing the hazard is to disconnect the circuit from the main supply which may require considerable effort on the part of the person concerned. Less of an effort wouid be required by the person to operate the normal switch used to control the circuit but this can only achieve the desired object if the person can tell whether the aforesaid other member is live.

The object of the present invention is to provide a lighting circuit in a simple and convenient form.

According to the invention, a lighting circuit included a lamp holder having connecting members for a lamp, a support for the lamp holder and a warning lamp carried by the support and which is illuminated when the switched connecting member of the lamp holder is connected to line.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of one example of a mounting for use in a lighting circuit, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of an adaptor which can be incorporated in an existing lamp circuit.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated a support member in the form of a ceiling rose which is referenced 10 shown with its cover removed. In accordance with modern practice, the base portion of the rose carries four terminal blocks 11, 12, 13 and 14. Terminal block 11 is connected to earth whilst terminal block 12 is connected to the line and hence live terminal of the supply. Terminal block 13 is connected to the neutral line. The switch 15 shown as a single way switch, is connected between terminal blocks 12 and 14whilstthe lamp 16 controlled by the circuit is connected between terminal blocks 13 and 14, the lamp being mounted in the conventional form of lamp holder. Both the switch and the lamp holder will be provided with earth connections which are connected to the block 11.

The rose mounts a warning lamp constituted by a small neon lamp 17. One connection to the lamp 17 is taken to the terminal block 13 whilst the other connection is taken to the terminal block 14 by way of the conventional resistor. When the switch 15 is in the on position, the neon lamp 17 will be illuminated irrespective of whether or not the lamp 16 is also illuminated. The neon lamp is disposed behind a small window 18formed in the sidewall ofthe ceiling rose and hence, the light provided by the neon lamp will be visible from exterior of the rose even when the cover is in position. The fact that the neon lamp is indicated indicates to an observer that the switch is in the on position and therefore before an attempt is made to change the lamp, the switch 15 should be turned to the off position.It will be understood of course that the warning is given even when a two-way switch system is provided.

The warning lamp may be incorporated in the mounting ofthe lamp holder where the two are integral with each other.

In order to enable the arrangement to be applied to existing systems, the unit shown in Figure 2 is provided and this comprises a split annular member 19 each part of which is provided with apertures 20, through which the screws serving to secure the existing ceiling rose or lamp holder mounting, to the ceiling can pass. In effect, therefore, the annular member constitutes a spacer between the existing mounting and the ceiling or other support surface.

One of the parts of the annular member is recessed to accommodate a neon lamp and its associated resistor and the recess incorporates a window 21 through which light emitted by the neon lamp can be observed. The two connection wires to the neon lamp are connected into the existing circuit in the manner described with reference to Figure 1.

CLAIMS (Filed on 21/9/81) 1. A lighting circuit more particularly but not exclusively, a domestic lighting circuit, including a lamp holder having connecting members for a lamp, a support for the lamp holder and a warning lamp carried by the support and which is illuminated when the switched connecting member of the lamp holder is connected to line.

2. A lighting circuit according to Claim 1, in which said lamp comprises a gas discharge lamp said support having a window behind which the lamp is located.

3. A support for a lamp holder comprising four terminal blocks mounted on the support, three of which are for connection in use to line, neutral and earth wires respectively, the remaining block being connected in use to one terminal of a switch the other terminal of which is connected to the line terminal block and a lamp carried in the support in

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Lighting circuits This invention relates to lighting circuits more particularly, but not exclusively, to domestic lighting circuits. In a domestic lighting circuit a lamp holder is provided into which a lamp can be inserted to effect the electrical connections to the lamp and also to carry the weight of the lamp. The lamp holder itself must also be supported and this can be effected by means of a supportwhich is integral with the lamp holder or more often in the case of the domestic circuit, by means of a support which is secured to the ceiling and known as a ceiling rose. The circuit includes a switch or switches for controlling the current flow to the lamp. In the situation where a lamp has failed then removal of the lamp from the holder for the purpose of replacement, exposes the connecting members of the lamp holder. One of these members in a correctly wired circuit will be connected to the neutral supply line whilst the other may or may not be connected to the line depending upon the position of the switch or switches. Whilst in a single way circuit it should be possible for the average person to decide when the switch is off, this is not the case where the circuit is a two-way circuit unless the person has been particularly observant. There is a substantial risk therefore that when the lamp is removed from the holder, the aforesaid other memberwill be live and will therefore pose a hazard.The only practical way of preventing the hazard is to disconnect the circuit from the main supply which may require considerable effort on the part of the person concerned. Less of an effort wouid be required by the person to operate the normal switch used to control the circuit but this can only achieve the desired object if the person can tell whether the aforesaid other member is live. The object of the present invention is to provide a lighting circuit in a simple and convenient form. According to the invention, a lighting circuit included a lamp holder having connecting members for a lamp, a support for the lamp holder and a warning lamp carried by the support and which is illuminated when the switched connecting member of the lamp holder is connected to line. In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of one example of a mounting for use in a lighting circuit, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of an adaptor which can be incorporated in an existing lamp circuit. Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated a support member in the form of a ceiling rose which is referenced 10 shown with its cover removed. In accordance with modern practice, the base portion of the rose carries four terminal blocks 11, 12, 13 and 14. Terminal block 11 is connected to earth whilst terminal block 12 is connected to the line and hence live terminal of the supply. Terminal block 13 is connected to the neutral line. The switch 15 shown as a single way switch, is connected between terminal blocks 12 and 14whilstthe lamp 16 controlled by the circuit is connected between terminal blocks 13 and 14, the lamp being mounted in the conventional form of lamp holder. Both the switch and the lamp holder will be provided with earth connections which are connected to the block 11. The rose mounts a warning lamp constituted by a small neon lamp 17. One connection to the lamp 17 is taken to the terminal block 13 whilst the other connection is taken to the terminal block 14 by way of the conventional resistor. When the switch 15 is in the on position, the neon lamp 17 will be illuminated irrespective of whether or not the lamp 16 is also illuminated. The neon lamp is disposed behind a small window 18formed in the sidewall ofthe ceiling rose and hence, the light provided by the neon lamp will be visible from exterior of the rose even when the cover is in position. The fact that the neon lamp is indicated indicates to an observer that the switch is in the on position and therefore before an attempt is made to change the lamp, the switch 15 should be turned to the off position.It will be understood of course that the warning is given even when a two-way switch system is provided. The warning lamp may be incorporated in the mounting ofthe lamp holder where the two are integral with each other. In order to enable the arrangement to be applied to existing systems, the unit shown in Figure 2 is provided and this comprises a split annular member 19 each part of which is provided with apertures 20, through which the screws serving to secure the existing ceiling rose or lamp holder mounting, to the ceiling can pass. In effect, therefore, the annular member constitutes a spacer between the existing mounting and the ceiling or other support surface. One of the parts of the annular member is recessed to accommodate a neon lamp and its associated resistor and the recess incorporates a window 21 through which light emitted by the neon lamp can be observed. The two connection wires to the neon lamp are connected into the existing circuit in the manner described with reference to Figure 1. CLAIMS (Filed on 21/9/81)

1. A lighting circuit more particularly but not exclusively, a domestic lighting circuit, including a lamp holder having connecting members for a lamp, a support for the lamp holder and a warning lamp carried by the support and which is illuminated when the switched connecting member of the lamp holder is connected to line.

3. A support for a lamp holder comprising four terminal blocks mounted on the support, three of which are for connection in use to line, neutral and earth wires respectively, the remaining block being connected in use to one terminal of a switch the other terminal of which is connected to the line terminal block and a lamp carried in the support in such manner that it can be viewed from the exterior of the support, said lamp being connected between the neutral terminal block and said remaining block whereby in use said lamp will be illuminated when the switch is closed.

4. A support according to Claim 3 in which said lamp is a gas discharge lamp and includes a series resistor, said discharge lamp being located behind a window in the support.

5. A support according to Claim 4 in which the support is a ceiling rose.

6. A support according to Claim 4, in which the support is the mounting of a lamp holder.

7. A lighting circuit according to Claim 1, in which the support is in the form of a split annular member which can be located between a ceiling rose or a lamp holder.

8. Asupportfora lamp holder comprising the combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

9. Asupportfora lamp holder comprising the combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.