S/steel switch front plate with internal plastic box...

[lisaH]

We are changing the front plates of the light switches to brushed s/steel.

Most of the switch front plates in the house attach to a metal box in the wall (as normal). In these cases it is clear where to attach the earth wire to terminal in front plate and terminal in the back of box.

But in the roof extension the 3 switches are fitted to plastic boxes inside the wall. In the plastic boxes there doesn't appear to be a terminal to attach the earth wire.

Am I simply not looking properly or is it not necessary to use one with a plastic box?

If you need more info or a photo let me know...

 

[Qedelec]

The front plate of a metal accessory MUST be earthed.
Some plastic Dryline backboxes do not have an earth terminal and if that is the case the CPC (earth) must be sleeved and terminated in a terminal block.

 

[lisaH]

Thanks for the reply Qedelec, just have some (probably stupid) questions to clarify...

and if that is the case the CPC (earth) must be sleaved

So the earth wire needs to be covered in yellow/green plastic?

and terminated in a terminal block.

Is this simply a "freestanding" little metal block like the ones in the metal backboxes?

 

[Qedelec]

Yes to both

Edit: whoops to clarify, terminal should be an insulated one.

 

[lisaH]

Just picked up the terminal block and have wired the earth into each switch.

Thank you so much for your help.

What an incredibly useful site this is!

 

[securespark]

Why not take the cpc from each switch cable directly into the switch earth terminal?