Earth sleeving

[garrymum]

Hi
I see numerous posts of how 'cowboys' have not put sleeving on the earth wire. What purpose is the sleeving for? I presume it can't be there just to identify the earth wire. Likewise, if it is very important that it should be used why isn't it fitted as standard like the live and neutral.

 

[davy_owen_88]

It is used for identification purposes and to insulate it from the other conductors when it is stuffed into the backbox.

I'm not sure if this is a genuine reason for it not being insulated within the cable, but I always assumed it was so that a fault (nail through cable for instance) would short L/N - E and cause the protective device to open. If the CPC was insulated then the damaged cable could go unnoticed and leave the nail/screw live. This is just my theory though and could be absolute bollerks.

 

[Chivers7]

added to Davys post.....It's slightly less expensive and easier to produce T&E plus it's smaller than three cables all with insulation too

 

[luminaire]

The earths are sleeved in Australia. Do they know something we don't?

 

[megawatt]

They know how to chill beer

 

[kevindgas]

It is used for identification purposes and to insulate it from the other conductors when it is stuffed into the backbox.

I'm not sure if this is a genuine reason for it not being insulated within the cable, but I always assumed it was so that a fault (nail through cable for instance) would short L/N - E and cause the protective device to open. If the CPC was insulated then the damaged cable could go unnoticed and leave the nail/screw live. This is just my theory though and could be absolute bollerks.

this is the correct answer

also worth noteing is earth should link metal back box and socket earths
to completely protect yourself

 

[Lennon]

They know how to chill beer

Only because they don't know how to brew beer that doesn't need chilling to be drinkable...