Do my metal faceplates need earthing?

[redhexagonal]

I’ve got metal faceplates on all my light switches and after taking a few off to decorate, it looks like none of them are earthed even though there is a place to attach a wire. There are some earth wires in the back boxes. Some back boxes are plastic, and some are metal. I don’t think the metal back boxes are earthed either.

Do all these back boxes and face plates need connecting to earth? Why would they not be earthed (by 2 different contractors)?

 

[pete01]

Yes all metal face plates need earthing, some say its earthed via the 3.5mm pin but to me that's lazy, take a fly lead (1mm or 1.5mm green and yellow) from the back box earth terminal to the face plate.

 

[terryplumb]

Looks like some of the blue insulation is missing and bare copper conductor exposed.
Yes they need to be earthed.

 

[pete01]

On a second look your screw is missing from the back box.
You can pinch one from a spare box also the neutral is badly connected (copper on show) that's a nuisance trip waiting to happen.

 

[Adam_151]

some say its earthed via the 3.5mm pin but to me that's lazy,

Its not acceptable to rely on plate screws to provide earth continuity to the metal front plate from an earthed backbox, Its often acceptable (although lazy) to rely on plate screws to provide earth to a recessed metal backbox from an earthed front plate

 

[pete01]

Its not acceptable to rely on plate screws to provide earth continuity to the metal front plate from an earthed backbox, Its often acceptable (although lazy) to rely on plate screws to provide earth to a recessed metal backbox from an earthed front plate

Yeah that's the one, either way I wouldn't do it for the sake of a bit of wire.

 

[RandomGrinch]

Looks like some of the blue insulation is missing and bare copper conductor exposed.

To me it looks as if the 3 incoming neutrals are purely twisted together and covered in blue sleeving - I don't see a terminal block on the end.

 

[redhexagonal]

Yes all metal face plates need earthing, some say its earthed via the 3.5mm pin but to me that's lazy, take a fly lead (1mm or 1.5mm green and yellow) from the back box earth terminal to the face plate.

Is the back box even earthed though?

 

[RandomGrinch]

Is the back box even earthed though?

Not in your picture!

 

[redhexagonal]

To me it looks as if the 3 incoming neutrals are purely twisted together and covered in blue sleeving - I don't see a terminal block on the end.

Yes they're just twisted together and theres a bit of copper exposed

 

[pete01]

Is the back box even earthed though?

Doesn't seem to be, as my second reply I think the screw is missing.

 

[redhexagonal]

Not in your picture!

i don’t understand why two different contractors haven’t earthed any of the light sockets? This was done 2 years ago, the rest of the house 7 years ago

 

[pete01]

i don’t understand why two different contractors haven’t earthed any of the light sockets? This was done 2 years ago, the rest of the house 7 years ago

Are all your switches like this then?
You've just been unlucky is all I could say, 2 stupid electricians maybe.

 

[redhexagonal]

Are all your switches like this then?
You've just been unlucky is all I could say, 2 stupid electricians maybe.

Yes they are. Should i get an electrician to sort this out? With the bare wires twisted together too it seems like the whole thing is a dangerous mess, and I am new to this

I think the metal faceplates have plastic backs if that makes any difference

 

[pete01]

Yes they are. Should i get an electrician to sort this out? With the bare wires twisted together too it seems like the whole thing is a dangerous mess, and I am new to this

I think the metal faceplates have plastic backs if that makes any difference

Yes the twisted neutrals need a suitable connector/wago fitting.

If theres an earth terminal it must need to be earthed regardless of the plastic backer.