Earthing at a light switch

oldtimer · 2024-11-23T15:50:23+0000

My flat has been rewired, the old light switches have been replaced but the original metal box recessed into the wall and still in situ did not have an earth terminal. the electrician has renewed the wiring with twin and earth but just the earth loose with green sleeving over it. ie not connected to the metal base box. Is this ok and satisfactory.

westward10 · 2024-11-23T15:55:27+0000

No it isn't can you show a picture?

littlespark · 2024-11-23T16:08:14+0000

No... its not safe.

If a live wire was to loosen and fall out, it would contact with the metal box, but wouldnt trip anything until somone touched the metal screws holding the switch to the box.

This is minimized somewhat nowadays as a lot of modern white switches come with plastic covers to hide the screws.

oldtimer · 2024-11-23T17:01:27+0000

westward10 said:
No it isn't can you show a picture?

westward10 · 2024-11-23T17:03:22+0000

That definitely needs the earth connected and not that difficult just use one of the upper or lower threaded fixing points. They should have also identified the blue conductor.

littlespark · 2024-11-23T17:07:37+0000

Just to be clear.... you dont do it yourself, you get the electrician back to do it properly.

My preference would be a small drill hole, tapped to an M4 size thread... and a crimp on the end of the cpc.

And the blue core should be sleeved to identify it as a live.

oldtimer · 2024-11-23T17:25:03+0000

westward10 said:
That definitely needs the earth connected and not that difficult just use one of the upper or lower threaded fixing points. They should have also identified the blue conductor.

thank you