Backbox earth points

[midiman]

Hi,

What do you think of the earth screws that come on some metal Backboxes like this?


Compared to this type.



I prefer the type the second one because they feel easier and safer to work with.

 

[telectrix]

funny, been on a 2nd fix. 1st done by another. bloody tw4t had fixed all the boxes with the E terminal at top where i had to get down on knees to see it, manufacturer 's terminals so close in corner, hard to get wire in. tiny screws, 2 snapped off . 1 box i had to fit a ring lug to E wire and secure under fixing screw. pain in the arse.

 

[ferg]

You Sir, need to get out more.

I honestly don't mind either but I know what you mean.

 

[midiman]

funny, been on a 2nd fix. 1st done by another. bloody tw4t had fixed all the boxes with the E terminal at top where i had to get down on knees to see it, manufacturer 's terminals so close in corner, hard to get wire in. tiny screws, 2 snapped off . 1 box i had to fit a ring lug to E wire and secure under fixing screw. pain in the arse.

So you wouldn't recommend the screw type?

I need to pick up a couple of 35mm boxes and they all have screws. Which is going to make for a fiddly job.

 

[telectrix]

and whyb do they have those stupid top and bottom lugs that you have to hammer back out of the way?

 

[telectrix]

any stupid problems with materials, i just put this on loud and all problems seem to disappear.

 

[Pete999]

Hi,

What do you think of the earth screws that come on some metal Backboxes like this?

View attachment 38830
Compared to this type.

View attachment 38831

I prefer the type the second one because they feel easier and safer to work with.

Anyone ever thought of boxes complete with fly lead? failing that fit a fly lead during 1st fix.

 

[Richard Burns]

The top ones can easily miss cores of cable and require multiple attempts to fix the core properly but they have greater capacity for cables if you have hundreds of wires coming into your back box. The lower ones are easier to fix but more difficult to see especially when installed as Tel says.

 

[telectrix]

The top ones can easily miss cores of cable and require multiple attempts to fix the core properly but they have greater capacity for cables if you have hundreds of wires coming into your back box. The lower ones are easier to fix but more difficult to see especially when installed as Tel says.

and even worse when the terminal is askew and the hole to put your fly lead in is up against the metal box.

 

[driverman]

Anyone ever thought of boxes complete with fly lead? failing that fit a fly lead during 1st fix.

Did exactly that on a one off job that I'm doing. Crimped an insulated earth wire and fixed to earth terminal in box before fixing box into wall. did wonder why don't manufactures do it, but knew the answer straight away.....simple, down to cost!

 

[snowhead]

When it was the norm to twist all conductors together before terminating, the top arrangement was best.

Now the practice is not to twist, neither fixings are satisfactory.

18 Ammend 1 should address this...

 

[grandfortune]

top ones better for me, i always have a lot of cables in my boxes, smaller one it 6 cables MAX.

bottem one better if only one cable in the box.

 

[Pete999]

top ones better for me, i always have a lot of cables in my boxes, smaller one it 6 cables MAX.

bottem one better if only one cable in the box.

Six cables in one box bet that's a bit of a tight fit mate

 

[Shane Mullan]

I have the second type boxes in my house. ... not that any of them are connected. Should they be? I'm only Level 1!

 

[telectrix]

I have the second type boxes in my house. ... not that any of them are connected. Should they be? I'm only Level 1!

it's more important to take earth to the faceplate for sockets and for metal switch plates. earrthing the box is optional as long as it has 1 fixed lug.