Metal Light Switch

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Hi can anyone help.

Ive just fitted some 2 way electric plate light switches, replacing the plastic ones that are there.

Ive just realised i think ive earthed it wrong im just looking for some advise.

https://ibb.co/dMjfswj

In this image if you can see.

Both of the earth cables were originally fixed into the nut on the metal backbox. I took one of the earth cables and fixed one to the nut on the metal face plate.

Im guessing ive done it wrong and im supposed to keep both earth cables together? If so can i just put both earth cables into the nut on the metal face plate and forget the backbox.

I know ideally you should run a wire from the backbox metal earth lug to the fixing but the nut on one of the backboxes is just spinning so im not confident with it, and noone will ever touch the backbox unless they are looking for a fault and in that case anyone sensible should turn the electrics off before even taking the metal faceplate off.

How dangerous is what ive done above? Surely the switch would still earth just not as quickly? Hypothetically if the live wire did touch the faceplate it should still earth within a second or so shouldent it?

Cheers
 
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You need to keep the earths together. Best way is to put the both in the crack box terminal again , and run a fly lead connecting the back box earth terminal with the front plate earth.

or put both earths to the front plate. Often that’s not do easy as the wires may not be long enough, and you do add up with a lorra wires on the switch plate.
 
The screws may be relied on to earth a recessed box from front plate, but not vice versa, as the connection cannot totally be guarenteed to be sound, they could be loose, or corroded etc.

Putting both earths in the switch plate would be good.
Better would be putting them in the switch plate and linking to the back box.
Not good would be leaving them in the backbox and relying on the screws to earth the front plate
Terrible would be splitting the earths and relying on the plate screws not only for continuity to the switch in question, but the whole lighting circuit...
 
Thanks guys.

So basically tommorow i just need to fix both earths to the front plate. If they are not long enough can i extend them by putting both of them into one choccyblock and running a single core earth from that to the switch plate?
 
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Thanks guys.

So basically tommorow i just need to fix both earths to the front plate. If they are not long enough can i extend them by putting both of them into one choccyblock and running a single core earth from that to the switch plate?

Yes, and while you have the single earth to hand, you may as well tag the box as well :)
 
Yes, and while you have the single earth to hand, you may as well tag the box as well :)
What do you mean by tag it? Do you mean put both earths in the choccy block and run 2 earths from it and put one in the backbox and one in the metal switch plate?
 
Yes, or go to the plate and then onto the box, whatever is easiest with the terminal sizes.

You can use the terminal in the box as TTC says, but I'd only do that if it was one of the brass ones like you pictured, if its one of the pressed steel ones you get in cheaper boxes, I would not as I have a distrust of them
 
Yes, or go to the plate and then onto the box, whatever is easiest with the terminal sizes.

You can use the terminal in the box as TTC says, but I'd only do that if it was one of the brass ones like you pictured, if its one of the pressed steel ones you get in cheaper boxes, I would not as I have a distrust of them
I think ill go plate and then to the box, then i know the plate is earthed properly.

I can put 2 earth cables into one choccyblock and then run one earth cable from there cant i?
 
Right, ive sorted it out.

Fixed ALL earth cables to the faceplate earth nut, i wrapped them round each other before sleeving them aswell. I then ran a wire from the earth nut on the faceplate to the earth nut on the metal backbox.

One of the sockets i still need to sort as i cant get a fixing to it as the screwholes are bent, its fixed to a stud so im just going to replace with a plastic one thats fine isent it?
 

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OK.

Bit confused as you said socket.

You mean you are going to fit a dry lining box?

Also, it looks like one of those earth wires may not be connected. Can we have a wider shot?
 
OK.

Bit confused as you said socket.

You mean you are going to fit a dry lining box?
The back box thats recessed into the wall, currently its metal but it needs replacing as the screw holes are wrecked.

I was going to unscrew it off the stud and fit a plastic one as i dont see the benefit in a metal one? Its just something to have to earth.
 

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