Where do i earth?

Discussion in 'Electricians' Talk' started by DeanJMills, Jul 29, 2014.

  1. DeanJMills

    DeanJMills New Member

    Im changing my metal dimmer switches & twin sockets to white plastic.
    Im only changing the face plate (back boxes are metal).

    On the metal plate there is an earth cable attached but there is no where to put it on the new plastic ones.
    Someone has said i need to attach it the the metal back box, How?
    someone else has told me to just leave it as its not needed on a plastic face plate.

    Can someone clarify is any of the above methods are legit!?

    Thanks
     
  2. Not needed on the plastic plate.

    But do keep the incoming earth wire connected to your back box - just remove the extra short bit which used to go to your old metal switch.
     
  3. JP.

    JP. Screwfix Select

  4. Wha? :)


    (Edit: Aargh - I see! The guy doesn't have a way of connecting it into the back box... :oops:)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 29, 2014
  5. seneca

    seneca Screwfix Select

    As DA's answer.
     
  6. unphased

    unphased Screwfix Select

    There should be a terminal on the back box. Use that.
     
  7. JP.

    JP. Screwfix Select

    :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:..:)

    Concur with Un
     
  8. Lectrician

    Lectrician Screwfix Select

    Most back boxes will have an earth terminal, but older ones may not. These would have been installed in the days of no earth in lighting circuits. Quite often find them in installs that have been rewired.
     
  9. JP.

    JP. Screwfix Select

    If the back box doesn't have an earth lug/term then run cpc/cpc's into Wago or term block (don't forget green /yellow sleeve on cpc/s and drill hole in t'backbox and self tap a flyer from said wit eye lug. This effectively earths the backbox which in this particular instance cannot be achieved wit t'plate. Reg are regs at the end of t'day..sorry but that's the way it is tbqh.
     
  10. JP.

    JP. Screwfix Select

  11. Bazza-spark

    Bazza-spark Screwfix Select

    Forget the Wago and terminal block. Crimp a lug to the earth cable then terminate under an appropriate screw.

    Kind regards

    BS
     
  12. Lectrician

    Lectrician Screwfix Select

    I find self drilling screws do the job, with an eyelet. Chocky block if you have several earths.
     
  13. flateric

    flateric Well-Known Member

    No earth on the box it comes under fault conditions the exposed screws can become live and you have a potential hazard............. Bazza wins :D
     
  14. Risteard

    Risteard Screwfix Select

    Perhaps it is a steel conduit installation where the conduit is being used as the cpc. Therefore there would be no core to connect to the backbox other than for the socket outlets.
     
  15. unphased

    unphased Screwfix Select

    Recently I have found, on two occasions, a flying earth on to the earth terminal in a white surface box. Der!
     

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