Extra low voltage down lights - What you need to know!

AS/NZS 3000:2007 Wiring Rules:

Clause 1.7.1: Selection and installation of electrical equipment
Essential requirement
Electrical equipment, forming part of an electrical installation, shall be selected and installed to-

(a) operate in a safe and reliable manner in the course of normal operating conditions; and
(b) not cause danger from electric shock, fire, high temperature or physical injury in the event of reasonably expected conditions of abnormal operation, overload, fault or external influences that may apply in the electrical installation; and
(c) be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Clause 3.3.2.6: Impact
A wiring system shall be selected and installed so as to minimise mechanical damage. This shall be provided by one or any combination of the following:

1. Mechanical characteristics of the wiring system
2. Location selected
3. Provision of additional local or general mechanical protection

Clause 3.7.2.6: Mechanical stress on electrical connections
All cables and conductors shall be installed so that there is no undue mechanical stress on any connections.

Clause 4.5.2.3: Recessed luminaires
Recessed luminaires and their ancillary equipment shall be installed in a manner designed to minimise temperature rise and prevent the risk of fire. The temperature rise at the rear of a recessed luminaire shall be limited to prevent damage to adjacent materials.

This requirement shall be satisfied by one of the following methods:

(a) Using a luminaire that is certified by the manufacturer to contact or be enclosed in combustible material or thermal insulation, or
(b) Install a suitable fire resistant barrier, to the manufacturer's instructions, or
(c) Provision of the required clearance distances as specified by the manufacturer of the luminaire, or
(d) Provision of the default clearance distances as specified in Figure 4.7.

Note Fig 4.7 now states that the minimum default clearance distance for halogen lamps from structural timber or thermal insulation is 200mm.

Recessed luminaires and their auxiliary equipment shall be installed in such a manner that necessary cooling air movement through and around the luminaire is not impaired by thermal insulation or other material.

Where thermal insulation is of a type that is not fixed in position, e.g. loose fill insulation, a barrier or guard constructed of fire resistant material shall be provided and secured in position to maintain the necessary clearance.

Where thermal insulation may reasonably be expected to be installed in the space containing a recessed luminaire, the luminaire shall be installed in such a manner as to provide for the subsequent installation of the thermal insulation.

Clause 4.5.2.4: Suspended ceilings
Luminaires supported by a ceiling panel shall not:

• Have a mechanical loading exceeding that of the ceiling panel, or
• Operate at a temperature that would discolour or deteriorate the panel.