''flying earth''

[HawkEye244]

I've got a few back boxes to earth and want to learn a better and more efficient technique than what I do currently which is a bit bodgy, obviously I'm not a sparky as some of you already know.

Any tips to share on this ?

 

[EFLImpudence]

If the face plate is metal, that is what must be earthed.

A separate 'flying earth' from the face plate to back box is optional (but a good idea) because you cant touch it when the circuit is live.

 

[HawkEye244]

Does it look alright?

 

[HawkEye244]

Seem to have balsed up one of the inserts for the screws, must have pushed too hard and now the screw won't thread into it.. ?

 

[EFLImpudence]

Does it look alright?

Looks fine.

Have you got both the cable CPCs (earth wires) in the G/Y sleeve? Just can't see it.

 

[HawkEye244]

Looks fine.

Have you got both the cable CPCs (earth wires) in the G/Y sleeve? Just can't see it.

Yes both sleeved, popping out now to get more sleeve. Toolstation do some but which do I get, 3mm, 4mm or 6mm ?

I'm going to pick up a re-threading tool for the insert I've balsed up.

 

[EFLImpudence]

3mm will be fine.

 

[JohnD]

it would be interesting to look at the back of the socket, and the terminals, when you take it off, to see what's happened.

you probably know that the wires have been cut a bit short. If you fit a longer pigtail, it will be easier to handle.

 

[chivers67]

When I do second fixing I use drum of earth cable and strip it rather than use a solid strand and sleeving - saves lots of time when you're doing lots of accessories

 

[chivers67]

it would be interesting to look at the back of the socket, and the terminals, when you take it off, to see what's happened.

you probably know that the wires have been cut a bit short. If you fit a longer pigtail, it will be easier to handle.

I think they're short like that as the back box isn't very deep.

 

[HawkEye244]

35mms they all are. Didn't see a real need to go deeper, more mess and more agro.

These brass face plates are fiddly. I managed to rethreadthe screw insert using the tool but then only the normal silver electrical screws worked and not the brass looking ones. It's hardly noticeable but annoying still. There is something to say for good technique, I guess that comes with practice.

 

[Jackrae]

Give the lug a squeeze with pliers to close the hole slightly then rerun the threading tool through it

 

[sparkwright]

35mms they all are. Didn't see a real need to go deeper, more mess and more agro.

These brass face plates are fiddly. I managed to rethreadthe screw insert using the tool but then only the normal silver electrical screws worked and not the brass looking ones. It's hardly noticeable but annoying still. There is something to say for good technique, I guess that comes with practice.

That is NOT a 35mm deep box in the picture.

Bad practice to put two or more bare earth wires in one sleeve.

It's not easy to confirm if every earth wire is definitely secure, and also it makes fault finding/testing more awkward.

Wires do look a bit on the short side, but still a worthy effort.

 

[chris1982]

Seem to have balsed up one of the inserts for the screws, must have pushed too hard and now the screw won't thread into it.. ?

Try putting some nail polish on the screw thread.

 

[JohnD]

oh, you meant the lugs.

try with new screws. The screws are plated brass and quite soft, so the thread on the screws often goes before the thread on the steel lugs.

If you ever have a screw with a partially stripped thread, throw it far, far away to prevent re-use and future rage.