Metal Switches

[imroberts]

I'm in the process of replacing all my light switches with stainless ones.

At the moment because I have white plastic switches there is no need for the face to be earthed, therefore all my earth wiring terminates to the (metal) pattress in the wall.

When fitting the new switches, should I be connecting the earth direct to the switch, or leaving it connected to the pattress and then running a short earth lead from here to the switch, or vice versa?

What is considered normal practice, and if you would do something different yourself, what?

 

[Mark Elvin]

As long as one of the ligs on the metal backbox is fixed and you are using metal screws to attach switchI belive this suffices as the earth.

HOWEVER - what's the hard in a link wire between the back box & the front plate for belt & braces, it's what I have done with all of mine.

 

[imroberts]

As long as one of the ligs on the metal backbox is fixed and you are using metal screws to attach switchI belive this suffices as the earth.

Assuming this is sufficient, would it be considered normal to wire the earth to the back box or to the switch? I assume the switch would be more safe on the off-chance the metal lug doesn't conduct the earth properly?

 

[holmslaw]

..

 

[bernardgreen]

And also well worth checking that the earth wire is continuous all the way back to the earth point. Just because there is an earth wire in the cable to the switch it does not mean the other end of the wire is connected.

Surprisely dangerous how many earth wires in switch cables are not connected at the rose.

Quick way is multi-meter to measure ohms ( or continuity ) between the switch earth and the earth pin of a socket that is known to have a good earth. Or a long wander lead to earth terminal at the meter, CU