No grounding wire on the HBG-60... is it a problem?

PilouPilou

PilouPilou

Well-Known Member
Hello all!

Curious to know why no grounding wire on the HBG 60... because the plastic case? Is it safe?
The others versions (HBG 100 or +) have one but have a metal case too.. should I connect a wire to the heatsink like I do on the frame of my light with HLG drivers if I use a HBG 100 or +? I ask because I never seen a commercial highbay light using HBG 100 or + with a grounding wire connected to the heatsink.

Thx in advance for your replies.
 
freemanjack

freemanjack

Well-Known Member
PilouPilou said:
Hello all!

Curious to know why no grounding wire on the HBG 60... because the plastic case? Is it safe?
The others versions (HBG 100 or +) have one but have a metal case too.. should I connect a wire to the heatsink like I do on the frame of my light with HLG drivers if I use a HBG 100 or +? I ask because I never seen a commercial highbay light using HBG 100 or + with a grounding wire connected to the heatsink.

Thx in advance for your replies.
Click to expand...
Yes the plastic case makes the electronics 'double insulated' and they do not require an earth and are entirely safe to use without one. If you are in the us or anywhere using 110vac I strongly recommend NOT earthing the dc side of the lights, the negative (cold -) pin on your domestic plugs is actually an earth too and if your drivers get wired back to front, they will work perfectly but there may be a chance your heatsink may be live, you would need to be earthed yourself to get a shock but bare feet or leather shoes will be enough potentially. Look up the mains standard for your area, how the live, cold and earth circuits are connected as they vary regionally.
 
PilouPilou

PilouPilou

Well-Known Member
freemanjack said:
Yes the plastic case makes the electronics 'double insulated' and they do not require an earth and are entirely safe to use without one. If you are in the us or anywhere using 110vac I strongly recommend NOT earthing the dc side of the lights, the negative (cold -) pin on your domestic plugs is actually an earth too and if your drivers get wired back to front, they will work perfectly but there may be a chance your heatsink may be live, you would need to be earthed yourself to get a shock but bare feet or leather shoes will be enough potentially. Look up the mains standard for your area, how the live, cold and earth circuits are connected as they vary regionally.
Click to expand...
I'm in EU and 230V - I use a grounding wire connected to the frame of my multi cob light that use a HLG. For the others versions of HBG (100 or +) drivers it seems that it is a metal case.. should I connect a wire to the heatsink like I do on the frame of my "classical" multi cob light?
 
xX_BHMC_Xx

xX_BHMC_Xx

Well-Known Member
Always ground your fixtures. There's no reason not to, especially if you're using gfci outlets. Just because the electronics in the driver are insulated, doesn't mean you won't have a short in your wiring somewhere. Especially if you're building an aluminum frame and not using grommets. Just buy a 3 prong plug, wire L and N to the driver, and run a wire right from E to the frame. This way if there is ever any current flowing through your fixture it will trip the outlet and you won't ever have to worry about bumping into your fixture and getting zapped.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top