The circuit wiring, metal boxes & ceiling roses on the lighting circuits in our 60’s property have been replaced in order to provide the circuits with an earth. I am now replacing all the socket outlets & the majority will become twins so the metal box will also be replaced. There will, however, be a few remaining as singles but, due to their age, the original backing boxes do not have the necessary earth terminal; is there an acceptable & approved way of achieving an earth to the box or should I rip them out & replace?
Metal backing boxes
- Thread starter Richard C
- Start date
It is not necessary to connect an earth wire to a flush s/o. The regulations say all "exposed conductive parts" shall be earthed. The socket box is sunk in a wall and so is not exposed. The box is earthed via the two screws. This is only allowed if one of the fixing lugs is fixed and not sliding.
Hi Richard,
As far as I know, providing the metal back boxes have at least one fixed lug (the bit at the side that the face plate screws into - one's usually fixed and the other is adjustable) then there's no requirement to provide a flying earth to it. If however both lugs are adjustable then he box needs to be earthed. I tend to provide a flying earth connection regardless of whether or not the lugs are fixed as a matter of course, otherwise, when the faceplate is unscrewed from the back box, the earth connection is lost temporarily.
As for a way to do it, I'm not sure. You'd probably be best replacing the boxes.
Regards
Fred
As far as I know, providing the metal back boxes have at least one fixed lug (the bit at the side that the face plate screws into - one's usually fixed and the other is adjustable) then there's no requirement to provide a flying earth to it. If however both lugs are adjustable then he box needs to be earthed. I tend to provide a flying earth connection regardless of whether or not the lugs are fixed as a matter of course, otherwise, when the faceplate is unscrewed from the back box, the earth connection is lost temporarily.
As for a way to do it, I'm not sure. You'd probably be best replacing the boxes.
Regards
Fred
Fred,
But then, of course, you would have been removing the socket front with the power still switched on!
If you follow safe isolation procedures then you should have disconnected the power from the accessory before working on it.....
But then, of course, you would have been removing the socket front with the power still switched on!
If you follow safe isolation procedures then you should have disconnected the power from the accessory before working on it.....
Taylortwocities said:Fred,
But then, of course, you would have been removing the socket front with the power still switched on!
If you follow safe isolation procedures then you should have disconnected the power from the accessory before working on it.....
LOL, true indeed.
I have worked live before but generally do isolate before doing anything. However, for the sake of completeness I usually provide a flying earth.
Regards
Fred
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