No earth in garage - should I be worried?

Joe Smith · Dec 21, 2018

Hi,

We recently moved into a new house about 6 months ago and all of the plug socket wiring seems to have the standard, live, neutral and earth wiring as one would expect. However, go out into the garage (separated from the house) and it appears to only have Live and Neutral wiring (old style red and black respectively).

I only found this out recently after changing the facia and backbox to a plastic one as the old one was metal and rusted only to find 2 wires.

My question is, should I be worried and should I get an electrician to come out and quote to rewrite the garage? It seems like a big job as it looks like the wiring goes under ground potentially and is concreted in.

Thanks for any advice.

Squid · Dec 21, 2018

Pete999 said:
Don't suppose they had heard of those things back when that install was done, earthing was provided by proper installation methods and good workmanship, there ought to have been a lead from the backbox to the Earth Terminal on the socket faceplate, but should the OP decide to employ an Electrician to swap the sockets and backbox the a Piranha washer would be a good addition, along with a fly lead from Box to socket.

This is for "now" my workmanship on MICC was 100% and I always was volunteered for the "awkward" jobs, if there was a specialist area or an additional earth was required then you used a sealing pot with an earth tail.

[ElectriciansForums.net] No earth in garage - should I be worried?

Pete999 · Dec 21, 2018

westward10 said:
3/4 Piranha nut, good luck with that

Wasn't thinking meant to say use a serrated washer, that would improve the connectivity for earthing the MICC, of course you are correct a Piranha nut would be difficult to adapt, a serrated washer would be my first choice along with a fly lead from box to socket.

Silly Sausage · Dec 21, 2018

I hope our Chris doesn't rip out the MICC.
He just needs a can or two of this to make it look fantastic. Give him something to do whilst he's waiting for someone to come and check it out.

Pete999 · Dec 21, 2018

Archy Styrigg said:
I hope our Chris doesn't rip out the MICC.
He just needs a can or two of this to make it look fantastic. Give him something to do whilst he's waiting for someone to come and check it out.

Chris PM me your address I'll check out the distances, after Christmas though

Toneyz · Dec 21, 2018

Pete999 said:
Chris PM me your address I'll check out the distances, after Christmas though

It's south west of Nottingham Pete just off M1.

Pete999 · Dec 21, 2018

anthonybragg said:
It's south west of Nottingham Pete just off M1.

Crikey Chris you said that without moving your lips, cheers Ant Thanks for info.

Devonchris · Dec 21, 2018

Archy Styrigg said:
I hope our Chris doesn't rip out the MICC.
He just needs a can or two of this to make it look fantastic. Give him something to do whilst he's waiting for someone to come and check it out.

Best to employ a polish electrician for that.

Joe Smith · Dec 21, 2018

Haha no chance I'm buffing that thing up! Yeah ****** is the postcode. Sounds like you guys know your stuff so would rather have a specialist. But understand if it's too far. Will p.m. you my number.

telectrix · Dec 21, 2018

if the incoming MICC tests OK. it could be terminated into an adaptable box, then the garage rewired in alternative cable.

Toneyz · Dec 21, 2018

It looks like damp in the air and penitration (easy SWD)of water through the single skin of brickwork I don't think todays M/Clad will last so long.If the R2 proves to be ok might need cleaning up and a inperial to metric to adapt for earth nut to a basic IP socket.

Squid · Dec 21, 2018

telectrix said:
if the incoming MICC tests OK. it could be terminated into an adaptable box, then the garage rewired in alternative cable.

There an echo.......... and keep your beady eyes off the scrap copper cable.......

telectrix · Dec 21, 2018

SWD said:
There an echo.......... and keep your beady eyes off the scrap copper cable.......

not worth the effort going to nottingham area. far better pickings Crewe station.

Joe Smith · Dec 22, 2018

Ok so here is what I have done as a temporary solution on the other socket that I replaced with plastic (the green wire is dead as it feeds from downstairs which is disconnected). I know it's not ideal but it really is temporary - at least it has an earth now?

Thanks for your help so far.

p.s. be nice, i'm no electrician - it's temporary until I can get one out.

Pete999 · Dec 22, 2018

Chris Priestland said:
Ok so here is what I have done as a temporary solution on the other socket that I replaced with plastic (the green wire is dead as it feeds from downstairs which is disconnected). I know it's not ideal but it really is temporary - at least it has an earth now?

Thanks for your help so far.

p.s. be nice, i'm no electrician - it's temporary until I can get one out.

View attachment 46611

Very dangerous piece of work, don't even think of using it, isolate it and get an electrician in PDQ that is naughty, seriously don't use it. If that is on the same circuit as the others you want changing, switch it OFF and wait for help. That's not a solution.

johnduffell · Dec 22, 2018

Chris Priestland said:
I know it's not ideal but it really is temporary - at least it has an earth now?

The earth needs to be good enough to trip the circuit breaker within 0.4s, with that connection itd be doubtful. Those socket testers just check there's some kind of earth, but it may not be reliable