Luminaire protection classes and earthing a metal chandelier

At a glance

Definitions summarised from a secondary source and the IEC and BSI listings; the standards were not read. The use column is practice, not a rule. The class is the maker’s declaration.

What a protection class is

Every mains luminaire is built to protect people from electric shock in one of three main ways, and the way it uses is its protection class. Class I relies on an earth connection. Class II relies on a second layer of insulation. Class III relies on a supply so low in voltage that it cannot give a dangerous shock. The classes are defined in the luminaire safety standard, BS EN IEC 60598-1, and rest on the shock-protection principles of IEC 61140, Protection against electric shock: common aspects for installation and equipment. We could not read either text, so this sheet describes the principle only.

It matters on a chandelier because the two ways of failing are different. A Class I fitting is safe only while its earth path is unbroken, so a metal frame, an arm or a canopy that can be touched must stay joined to earth through the fitting’s wiring. A Class II fitting does not use earth at all, so a designer who adds a metal finial, a rod or a chain after the maker has declared the class may have changed the answer.

Who declares the class, and where it is shown

The maker declares the class. It is part of the design and the testing, so it is stated on the luminaire’s rating plate or marking and in the declaration of conformity. A Class II fitting carries the double-insulation symbol, a square inside a square; Class III has its own symbol. Class I is shown by an earth symbol at the earth terminal. If a data sheet does not state the class, ask for it. Retail listings are inconsistent on this, so do not read it off a catalogue page.

Three points follow for a bespoke fitting made by a partner workshop:

• Per fitting, not per range. A one-off with a metal frame and glass arms can differ from the standard model the workshop makes in volume.
• As built, not as drawn. If the design changes after sign-off (a new canopy, a heavier stem, a metal ring), ask the workshop to restate the class and reissue the declaration.
• Markings and papers must agree. The class on the rating plate, the drawing and the declaration of conformity should be the same. See the conformity sheet for what the declaration is and who signs it.

On editions: BSI lists BS EN IEC 60598-1 (published 5 November 2021) as current. An edition 10 of the IEC text (2024) also exists, as set out in the conformity sheet. The class definitions are long established, but check which edition the maker tested to.

The earth path in a metal chandelier

On a metal-framed chandelier the question is where the earth wire goes. In the usual arrangement it is a separate green-and-yellow core inside the flex. It starts at the earth terminal of the circuit at the ceiling and runs down to a terminal on the frame, with short links from there to each metal arm or part that can be touched. The drawing below shows the idea. It is conceptual, not a wiring diagram.

The chain, rod or stem is another matter. Its job is to carry the weight. We found no public guidance that settles whether a chain may be part of the earth path of a Class I fitting, only trade-forum opinion, which we have not used. So the page takes no side. If the maker intends the chain or rod to carry earth continuity, the maker must say so, show how the connection is made at each link and end, and the electrician must test it. If the maker does not, the earth should run in the wiring. Do not assume either, and do not let an installer improvise.

Points to put to the workshop:

• Is the fitting Class I or Class II, and where is that stated?
• If Class I: where does the earth core enter, which parts does it join, and how is it protected from being trapped or cut by the canopy or the hanging gear?
• Which metal parts can a person touch, with the fitting at its hanging height and during relamping?
• If Class II: is the claim true with the finish, stem and decoration as built, including any metal added to the glass?

Flex, canopy and fixing: practical points

Several practical points sit alongside the class. The only primary-level text we read is a 2008 article by the IET on Section 559 of BS 7671:2008, an old edition, so the regulation numbers may have moved. Confirm each against the edition in force.

Beyond these, the electrician is responsible for the circuit protective conductor, bonding where the installation requires it and for testing the earth path on completion. That duty comes from the installation standard, not from this sheet. Confirm what the current BS 7671 requires of the installation, and remember that the current edition has moved on from 2008 (see the bathroom zones sheet for the edition position we found).

What to ask for, and what to check

• On the drawing and the schedule: the class, per fitting, next to the IP rating (see the IP and IK sheet) and the driver position (see LED drivers).
• From the workshop: the declaration of conformity and test report naming the standard and edition, and a short written note of where the earth runs.
• From the electrician: the installation certificate and earth-continuity test on completion, kept in the O&M pack.
• At change control: a rule that any change to metalwork, stem, canopy or supply restates the class.

Spot checks before hanging: the class mark on the plate matches the papers; an earth core is present and the right colour where the fitting is Class I; no earth core is connected to a Class II body; the flex is not carrying the weight.

The supplier states the protection class [Class I / Class II / Class III] of each luminaire type on the drawing, the rating plate and the declaration of conformity, to [BS EN IEC 60598-1 edition]. The three statements agree. Any change to metalwork, stem, canopy, shade or supply after sign-off is notified in writing and the class restated before production.

For each Class I luminaire the supplier shows on the shop drawing the route of the protective conductor from the supply connection to every touchable metal part, states whether the chain, rod or stem forms part of that route and how any such connection is made, and confirms in writing that the earth conductor cannot be trapped, cut or relied upon to support the load.

Where a luminaire is declared Class II, the supplier confirms the declaration applies to the luminaire as built with finish, stem, canopy and decoration shown on drawing [ref], and that no protective conductor is connected to the body of the luminaire.

The electrician [name] tests earth continuity of Class I luminaires and records the result on the installation certificate. Rating plate, declaration of conformity and test report are included in the O&M pack.

Standards and sources

• BS EN IEC 60598-1: BSI listing, 2021 edition, published 5 Nov 2021, Current (seen 7 Nov 2026). Text not read. A 2024 edition exists: see the conformity sheet.
• IEC 61140:2016: edition 4.0, 7 Jan 2016, stability date 2028. IEC listing read; text not read.
• BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations): not read. A 2008 IET article on Section 559 of the 2008 edition was read; confirm every number in the edition in force.
• IET Wiring Matters, Autumn 2008: Section 559 overview, read in full; old edition.

Questions we are asked

Does a chandelier need earthing?

Only if it is Class I. A Class I fitting has touchable metal parts joined to earth through its wiring. A Class II fitting is double insulated and is not earthed, and a Class III fitting runs from a safe extra-low voltage source. The maker declares which one it is.

What is the difference between Class I and Class II?

Class I relies on insulation plus an earth wire that carries a fault away. Class II relies on a second layer of insulation and uses no earth wire. A Class II fitting carries a square-in-a-square symbol.

Is a glass chandelier Class II?

Not automatically. Glass is an insulator, but a metal frame, arms or canopy can be touched. The class depends on how the fitting is built, so ask for it per fitting, in writing.

Can the chain be the earth?

We found no public guidance that settles this, so we take no side. If the maker intends the chain or rod to carry earth continuity, the maker must say how the connection is made and the electrician must test it. Otherwise the earth should run in the wiring.

Where is the class shown?

On the rating plate or marking, and in the declaration of conformity and test report. Retail listings are inconsistent, so do not rely on them.

Who is responsible for the earth path?

The maker for the fitting as built, and the electrician for the installation, including testing earth continuity. Ask each to state its part in writing.