wiring up a socket with a metal backing box

by **subaqua** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 9:11 pm

I just wanted some clarification on my wiring for my new double socket. It will be part of the main ring and has a metal backing box. How do I wire up the earth wires.

There are two earth connections on the front plates I have ordered from screwfix and one on the appleby metal backing box. Any picutres would be very much appreciated.

by **stevenc1603** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 11:41 pm

I've always just used the one earth terminal on the plate to connect the 2 incoming earth's from the cables and the earth wire that's connected to the metal back box.

by **kbrownie** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 5:40 pm

Hi,
I wire the earths to earth terminal in the backbox. I also connect an earth from there to the face plate, if it's a metal face plate. I terminate the earths to the face plate and again from there to the backbox.
Always told most important part of an electric circuit is the earth!
Regards
KB

by **sparx** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 8:54 pm

hi, You should take earths(CPC's) from cable direct to accessory front plate term. it is not required by regs to earth back to box ( another NICEIC myth) you can of course if you wish do so in which case as you have another term you could use that to link a pigtail/flylead to back box term.
Now watch the action!!
for those who want to disagree i would direct them to :
page 117 of current 16th book reg # 543-02-02 (vi),
543-02-07 & 543-02-09.
So for instance you can still run circuits in metal conduits &/or trunking without an earth wire as long as you connect from the box to any fitting with a fly lead & are capable of proving continuity of metalwork, not worth the hassle but you can do it! I love the regs....
regards SPARX