metal switch no earth

[stevewilliams]

I'd like to fit a brass light switch but there is no earth wire present in the exisitng plastic fitting. Is there any easy way to get around this? I think I know what you're are going to say. I can hear the sharp intakes of breath.

Cheers

Steve

 

[andy]

I'd like to fit a brass light switch but there is no earth wire present in the exisitng plastic fitting. Is there any easy way to get around this? I think I know what you're are going to say. I can hear the sharp intakes of breath.

Cheers

Steve

unless you get an earth to the switch, your stuck with plastic

if your light circuit has an earth but not to the light, you can re-wire to the switch. but if you do do this, make sure the earth is actually connected to earth

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Is there any easy way to get around this?

"Easy" is a relative term. The ease with which you can solve your problem is directly related to the ease with which you can replace the cable to the switch...

 

[Damocles]

You could run a separate earth from the supply to the switch. Like BAS said, you have to get it to the switch. It might be possible to pull out the existing cable to the switch. Replace it with a slightly larger one incorporating an earth. May be possible if the existing cable runs inside something and there is some spare space. Connect the new earth to the earth in the replacement, perhaps in the ceiling rose.

 

[stevewilliams]

thanks for the advice - the ceiling rose sounds a good bet.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

If there is an earth there, which will be obvious.

And if it is actually connected all the way back to the earth bar in the CU, which won't be obvious, and has to be tested for...