Earthing back boxes ??

[Dazza1976]

Hi all, just wondering if you bother to earth metal clad back boxes for switches and sockets ???
I understand that some schemes require you to do this and others dont. I have also heard some people saying that if the switch or socket is metal thaen you must ?? Why is that ?

I dont really see the need for it myself , If a live conductor was to come off and touch the back box, the screws could then become live, but they are already earthed via the faceplate anyway, so i really dont see why it needs to be done ??

I will be interested to hear all your views on this .

 

[UNG]

As someone who is in the old habits camp I always no matter how awkward earth the back box always use conduit singles as I have seen so many solid CPC's snapped and floating loose when you do PIR's

 

[wacko]

Never!!!

 

[nickblake]

I do bring the earth to the terminal sleeve it bend it then back to the earth term on the back box then its a continuouse loop

 

[ste mac]

I don't bother, I just make sure the back boxes I buy have 1 fixed lug.

 

[bramboy]

Wonder if the back box tail gang still earth the sink top, because someone told us to do it in 1983. This is the only `extra` to the regs that sparks carry out!

Councils spec it thou, so bugger..

 

[jeremy]

I do it since getting a belt off an un grommeted box that energised when I moved the faceplate. Now have a roll of 2.5 6491 that only gets used for KO box bonding

 

[jeremy]

Wonder if the back box tail gang still earth the sink top, because someone told us to do it in 1983. This is the only `extra` to the regs that sparks carry out!

Councils spec it thou, so bugger..

Tend not to bond metal sinks as there's usually no energised conductors passing through.

 

[bramboy]

It would be in the regs if there was a danger. As said there is a lot more in there that we dont do. This is just a bandwagon topic.
The 18th edtion might change that thou!

 

[m25maintenance]

they say its better to have a gun and not need it, than to need a gun and not have it

 

[ezzzekiel]

they also say the same about the condom but i wouldnt wear my socks in the bath

 

[Unswitched]

Wasn't the question about earthing Metal clad back boxes? (not flush boxes)

In which case, if back box is sunk into wall, then I never earth it, and always cut off existing bits of earth wire if the box is cramped. This is only for socket outlets and spurs. Light switches dont have an earth terminal so then obviously terminate at back box.

Metal clad... Now I always earth these as they are very touchable! But... is there a need with a fiuxed lug as they all are usually?

mmmm...

 

[Steve1412]

Probably due to me being old school I would always put a link to the back box....it was always required.....the scenario of freshly plastered wall, outlets left hanging after second fix, wanting power on to put driers on for plasterers always comes to mind...nowadays with it being an RCDathon its probably not as necessary....but you cant teach an old dog new tricks!!!!!

 

[glen.mason]

Taken from NICEIC Snags and Solutions - Earthing & Bonding, quote; a flush mounted socket outlet is deemed to be an exposed conductive part [even though it may not be able to be touched]. Therefore, such back box's no less than every other exposed conductive part, are required to be earthed in accordance with reg 411.4.2 [TN systems] and 411.5.1 [TT systems] end quote. Having said that, my assessor was happy that as long as one of the two socket fixing lugs is fixed, then he didn't see a problem omitting the earthing tail.

 

[jeremy]

It would be in the regs if there was a danger. As said there is a lot more in there that we dont do. This is just a bandwagon topic.
The 18th edtion might change that thou!

I've had a belt from an unbonded backbox, therefore there's a proven danger. How much of an imposition is it to put in a bit of single in a KO box. Why the resistance (no pun int. ) to a nothing action? If you can't be bothered to do it yourself, sit the wife down with a bunch of cuts and a screw driver. Don't tell her it was my idea!

 

[bramboy]

I've had a belt from an unbonded backbox, therefore there's a proven danger. How much of an imposition is it to put in a bit of single in a KO box. Why the resistance (no pun int. ) to a nothing action? If you can't be bothered to do it yourself, sit the wife down with a bunch of cuts and a screw driver. Don't tell her it was my idea!

Working live. TUT TUT!