# Help with using local copy of leap seconds file

**URL:** <https://community.openastronomy.org/t/help-with-using-local-copy-of-leap-seconds-file/329>\
**Category:** Astropy\
**Created:** [April 1, 2022, 4:28pm UTC](https://community.openastronomy.org/t/help-with-using-local-copy-of-leap-seconds-file/329 "2022-04-01T16:28:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jborder0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@jborder0](https://community.openastronomy.org/u/jborder0)\
**Post date:** [April 1, 2022, 4:28pm UTC](https://community.openastronomy.org/t/help-with-using-local-copy-of-leap-seconds-file/329/1 "2022-04-01T16:28:19Z")

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Hi. Sorry to be asking a simple question. I am working behind a firewall and need to use a local copy of a leap seconds file. I read documentation and tried this, after clearing the cache.

> from astropy.utils import iers  
> iers.conf.auto\_download = False  
> iers.LeapSeconds.from\_iers\_leap\_seconds(file=‘IERS\_Leap\_Second.dat’)  
> where IERS\_Leap\_Second.dat is a local copy that I can update myself. This seemed to work, but I tested by changing the leap second values in the local file. This did not change the conversion from UTC to TAI. Astropy is still using some built-in table of correct leap second values. How can I get Astropy to use my input values? Thank you.