No earth wires in lighting circuit. (edited)

[Ste8090]

Hi
I have 2 red wires at each (lighting) outlet in my house, so was wandering if it would be possible to run ground wires to each outlet and back to the consumer unit. Paying an electrian to connect them as I already have floorboards up etc.. Would that work? Thanks

 

[AndyPRK]

what country are you in?

pictures would help

 

[bernardgreen]

If in the UK ( where outlets are called sockets ) the best option would be for the electrician to run in new twin and earth ( ground ) cable

 

[Taylortwocities]

2 red wires? Really.
When you say “outlets” what exactly do you mean?
Can you post a photo or two.
Also, as above, advise your location.

 

[Ste8090]

Sorry I meant (lighting) switches and outlets there is only 2 reds in each it's a 1970s ex council flat thanks

 

[Taylortwocities]

Ok. So you have 13A sockets with two red wires and no earth? Surely not.



I can believe two red wires to a light switch though.
Are the switches and sockets fed through metal pipes (aka conduit)? If so that’s your Earth. Have you tested it?

(has now been corrected to lighting - note from mod)

 

[bernardgreen]

Two red wires to a switch is not uncommon. (1) Permanent Live to the Switch and (2) Switched Live from the Switch to the Lamp

 

[flameport]

possible to run ground wires to each outlet and back to the consumer unit. Paying an electrian to connect them

It's either do the work yourself, or pay someone else to do it.

Very few will want to complete work someone else has already started, and those that will are likely to charge very high prices to do so.

 

[Ste8090]

Turns out the sockets are fine but I'm unsure about the light switches as there is only 2 reds no earth same at the light pendants basically I wanted to change the switches to metal ones is this ok? Thanks

 

[flameport]

The metal conduit might be usable as the earth but that would require testing. Doesn't look in very good condition.
Alternatively new wiring could be drawn in to the existing conduit.

 

[Taylortwocities]

As I asked earlier

Are the switches and sockets fed through metal pipes (aka conduit)? If so that’s your Earth. Have you tested it?

The earth continuity must be tested properly for your safety.

changing to metal switches must not be done until this has been confirmed. You need an electrician to do this for you.

 

[AndyPRK]

conduit was the earth when installed.

 

[Ste8090]

How much roughly would a earth continuity test cost? Thanks

 

[Taylortwocities]

conduit was the earth when installed.

Yes, But time and other works can change this!

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

conduit was the earth when installed.

That is grip conduit, never that good for conductivity when it was installed new and it probably predates the plastic cable - usually it was installed for VRI cable, so chances are it was disconnected at the top and conduit drop just used as a means to get new cable in, without disturbing the plaster.

So in my opinion, it will probably have no earth at all.