UK Legal Details - Sockets - Where is the requirement for separate socket earths to be linked?

[wilmer000]

I have come across a double socket where the earth terminations aren't linked together - Is this illegal (and what regulation do i look at?) or is it allowed, and I just put the loop-earth in one termination and join the unearthed socket with a length of Earth conductor?

 

[wilmer000]

There is no law in the UK that specifies what is described.

So it is legal to have two separate unlinked earth terminals in a socket? BS 1363-2 doesn't seem to specify there must be a single termination, but it doesn't seem right to me as you could end up wiring one side of the loop into each termination, and split the earth loop by accident. either that or you end up with an unearthed socket. (or have to fit a link between the two. ) but is it legal? that's the question!

 

[DPG]

So it is legal to have two separate unlinked earth terminals in a socket? BS 1363-2 doesn't seem to specify there must be a single termination, but it doesn't seem right to me as you could end up wiring one side of the loop into each termination, and split the earth loop by accident. either that or you end up with an unearthed socket. (or have to fit a link between the two. ) but is it legal? that's the question!

No, I think you have misunderstood.

Can you post a photo of the rear of your socket.

 

[Risteard]

Sometimes there can be separate clean Earth and protective Earth terminals.

 

[i=p/u]

They are linked together

 

[westward10]

Was doing a periodic last week in an office, area had been rewired five years ago to a good standard. Continuity of the cpcs was way too high on two of the ring finals and I knew exactly what was causing it has have had it before, cpcs split across two terminals. Reconnected into the same terminal and problem gone, can't remember the brand but wasn't MK or Hager.

 

[wilmer000]

do you mean that there's no manufacturers link between the 2 earth terminals? have you metered across them?

It's two entirely separate terminations, one hole on the back for each earth wire.

 

[i=p/u]

Haven't done floor boxes in a while

 

[wilmer000]

Trainee question, get to the right aisle.. pg 86 osg might explain something

DIY, sorry. wanted to ask the pros if it was allowed, and if so, how to deal with the installation

 

[Strima]

Who manufactured it?

Looks like a Poundland special.

 

[i=p/u]

Well just get the bits do a few flips with wire and join her up.
What ya asking now , what you want to deal with

In normal circumstances they are joined together, and if equipment with leakage current I.e computersx3+ is plugged in , then wire in and out of the terminals

 

[wilmer000]

No, I think you have misunderstood.

Can you post a photo of the rear of your socket.

Yes of course.

 

[i=p/u]

Size of protective conductor is another question

 

[wilmer000]

Size of protective conductor is another question

 

[Strima]

Any manufacturers information?

 

[i=p/u]

says minimum 1.5mm for sockets?