Earth cables twisted and sheathed together

[ElectriCall]

Hi all,

Just thought I would ask some peoples views on this, how do you all feel about twisting the CPC together then putting the sleeving on all of the cables then connecting it into the earth connector.

I absolutely detest this practice and hate coming across this particular making ammendment to a circuit. As far as I know it is not against any regs but would happily make in the next ammenment

 

[davesparks]

Most sockets have 2 earth terminals as well so connecting together isn't essential on a ring, if one cable breaks there is still one connected.

Well that's ok then, as long as this spontaneous breaking of cables only affects one socket on each ring and no radial circuits!

 

[Guest77]

Well that's ok then, as long as this spontaneous breaking of cables only affects one socket on each ring and no radial circuits!

I wouldn't suggest it is a good method, and I never mentioned a radial did I ?

 

[Adam W]

Was there ever a reg which said you had to do it? If not then why did you old geezers used to do it other than being taught to do it by some even older geezer? Surely it must have been just as much of a pain in the Gary back then as it is now, so if it wasn't 'compulsory' then why did everyone do it for so long?

 

[Guest77]

Very Good point Adam.

 

[davesparks]

I think it stems from when T&E was stranded and they had to be twisted down tight to make them fit in the terminals.

 

[DPG]

I think it stems from when T&E was stranded and they had to be twisted down tight to make them fit in the terminals.

Makes sense. Daz

 

[DRG]

the only reg i have come across relating to cpc's at sockets going into individual terminals only related to ring mains designated for computers for the higher earth leakage generated

(dont have regs to hand for no.)

 

[shanky887614]

cant find delete button

 

[Deleted member 9648]

Don't think there is a reg number to state the CPCs shouldn't be twisted in the back of a socket etc but its good practice not to do it. I always separate conductors if I find them twisted up. Say they pop out of the terminal, you end up with no Earth at the socket and still have r2 continuity if tested from anywhere else on the circuit. Council lot I was working for only ever tested end to ends when doing board changes etc, a fault like that wouldn't be found in that case. Two sleeved into one at the board is also sloppy work in my opinion. I know some of the older guys would have been taught that way but I've seen somebody kicked off site on a hospital build for twisting up conductors.

....testicles. An unfair dismissal tribunal would have a ball with that one.

 

[Adam W]

....testicles. An unfair dismissal tribunal would have a ball with that one.

It used to be that you could only bring an unfair dismissal case to tribunal if you'd been on the cards for over a year. It's two years now.
If you're self-employed they can and do send you a text when you've just got home telling you not to go back other than to pick up your tools, often with no particular reason at all.

 

[jaypp]

Are you winding us up Jay?

Twisting/winding kind of the same thing!!!

 

[uksparks]

It's a pain in the bum, I always rectify where I find it as it narks me, to be honest I think it's harder work trying to ge two into one sheath.

 

[jaypp]

Why's pete been banned?

 

[trev]

Why's pete been banned?

Not usually discussed mate, I'll be surprised if it;s a real ban though

 

[jaypp]

Not usually discussed mate, I'll be surprised if it;s a real ban though

It seemed odd and that's why I asked. I guess it is Friday night so might explain it!!

 

[Guest77]

Why's pete been banned?

We all got fed up with his avatar, the team agreed and banned him lol

 

[jaypp]

We all got fed up with his avatar, the team agreed and banned him lol

Cheers MDJ. That reply gave me an additional piece of info in that, contrary to popular belief it's not just Friday that permits non sensible posts! I was getting worried I was only going to be able to post on this site just one day a week!!:teeth_smile:

 

[Had8Lives]

How does it affect testing? Obviously you don't do it at a DB but at sockets etc why not?

If more than one CPC is put in the same piece of sleeving, there is the potential for them to be touching enough for good continuity but they may have fallen out of an earth terminal.

 

[DPG]

If more than one CPC is put in the same piece of sleeving, there is the potential for them to be touching enough for good continuity but they may have fallen out of an earth terminal.

Thread is 7 years old.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Surprised no one on the thread mentioned these though: KS Tools 116.1301 Wire twisting pliers, 215mm : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools - https://www.amazon.co.uk/KS-Tools-116-1301-twisting-pliers/dp/B007XUGBUI/ref=sr_1_21?

 

[littlespark]

Surprised no one on the thread mentioned these though: KS Tools 116.1301 Wire twisting pliers, 215mm : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools - https://www.amazon.co.uk/KS-Tools-116-1301-twisting-pliers/dp/B007XUGBUI/ref=sr_1_21?

‘Cos they may not have been invented when the thread started.

 

[Julie.]

‘Cos they may not have been invented when the thread started.

Or the fact that twisting wires is commonplace for fences and other non-electrical applications. Hence why it's not insulated.

I too was taught to twist the earths (loosely) together and put in the same tube.

The logic being that it ensured continuity throughout the circuit in the even the wires came out of the terminal - sure this one outlet/fitting/whatever lost its CPC, but this was the only fault.

This is a big positive for me even today, I think I would prefer to have continuity of CPC throughout all say 10 socket outlets with just the one missing its CPC, rather than the issue that if the CPC breaks in one terminal, every socket outlet downstream of this ends up without CPC!

So I am quite accepting of CPCs in the same tube, although I also understand that recent practice is to prioritise convenience for future testing and fault finding over security of CPC/safety.