Is it safe to ground the light switch with just one cable?

[jf93kf]

I've just replaced a light switch and the new switch has a really awkward positioning for the ground terminal. I have 5 ground cables to attach which is very fiddly. Is it safe to just ground the switch with 1 cable and then just conect the other 4 ground cables with a terminal block?

My thinking is that if the metal case of the switch touches live, then one of the cables with ground it sufficiently so the others are surplus to requirement.

 

[pete01]

No put them all in a connector block together (you can use the back box earth terminal) then take one to the switch plate.

 

[flameport]

. Is it safe to just ground the switch with 1 cable and then just conect the other 4 ground cables with a terminal block?

NO.

They must all be connected together.
Connect them all with a terminal block and then add another one from that terminal block to the switch.

 

[jf93kf]

Thanks for your help. Why is that so please? Why must all 5 be connected?

 

[pete01]

Because they go off to different lights or switches that also need earthing, if you dont connect them together something might be un-earthed

 

[opps]

Some of those earth cables run elsewhere

 

[EFLImpudence]

Probably only one of the earth wires is actually connected to earth somewhere; all the others connect different things to that earth.




There are some odd looking connections on the two switches.

 

[jf93kf]

Thanks for the additional info - all makes sense. Do I need a specific terminal block to attach them together? Screwfix has different amps and sizes https://www.screwfix.com/c/electrical-lighting/terminal-strips-blocks/cat830486 and the ones I have from a previous job are 5A - 6mm2 - 330V.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Whichever one you can get all six wires in.

It's better if you put all the wires in from the same end and run them the full length of the connector so both screws hold them all.

6mm² sounds like it. (I don't know why that should say 5A.)

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Thanks for the additional info - all makes sense. Do I need a specific terminal block to attach them together? Screwfix has different amps and sizes https://www.screwfix.com/c/electrical-lighting/terminal-strips-blocks/cat830486 and the ones I have from a previous job are 5A - 6mm2 - 330V.

Use the earth terminal, in the back of the metal box, if fitted. If not, use what-ever single terminal size all of those wires will fit in. Likely a 5amp will be adequate. If you are stuck for a short bit of wire, to link the connector, to the switch - strip a bit of earth wire from a bit of three-core flex.

 

[endecotp]

Looking at the photo, I’m struggling to work out what the two switches do. Is this an exact replacement for what was there before? Is anything connected to the L1 and L2 of the far switch? Does the near switch maybe operate two lights on different curcuits?