Neutrals at switches

[Guest 004]

Went to a job today, twin and earth, and it had been wired 2 plate, which of course meant that all the switches had the neutral taken to them.

WTF, if I had done that in my apprenticeship I would have been kicked off site.

Is this how things are done now, god I hope not.

 

[RWJ]

If the installation is designed using plastic switches and an earthing terminal hasn't been provided on either the backbox or switchplate does that mean an earth shouldn't be taken to the switch at all? If manufacturers aren't providing us with earth terminals anymore maybe they're telling us they want us to revert to the old style method of not taking earths to switches.

What happens when the householder goes to B&Q and replaces said switch with a nice metal one?

 

[Adam W]

What happens when the householder goes to B&Q and replaces said switch with a nice metal one?

Rewire.

 

[IQ Electrical]

If the installation is designed using plastic switches and an earthing terminal hasn't been provided on either the backbox or switchplate does that mean an earth shouldn't be taken to the switch at all? If manufacturers aren't providing us with earth terminals anymore maybe they're telling us they want us to revert to the old style method of not taking earths to switches.

Exactly, is there a 'common loop' terminal on an intermediate switch?

 

[Adam W]

If the householder saw the need to replace the switch with a different type (ie metal rather than plastic) that would be bad planning on the part of the designer.

 

[Electricalserv]

Rewire.

Rewire?

 

[Adam W]

Rewire?

Rewire.

 

[Electricalserv]

Rewire.

No need when you can just connector block earths.

 

[aptsys]

OMG but then you'll be using a switch box as a joint box!

 

[Engineer54]

Why?? Because that is my honest opinion of this wiring method, so why would i change my opinion, certainly not going to change it based on what's been written here... And as i said, i'm not going to change your opinion, that this is a good wiring method, ...end of as far as i'm concerned!!!

As far as ''Surely you can see that pic of the switch was down to poor design as is the idea of 7 cables at a light, therefore that is not a reason to rubish this method.'' that to me, is just making excuses and ignoring the fact that this is exactly what's going on out there. As for the multiple cables at the light, I already stated i think, that the 7 cables thing was bad design at work...

 

[Adam W]

No need when you can just connector block earths.

Can you? So how is that different to connector blocking neutrals?

 

[malcolmsanford]

If the installation is designed using plastic switches and an earthing terminal hasn't been provided on either the backbox or switchplate does that mean an earth shouldn't be taken to the switch at all? If manufacturers aren't providing us with earth terminals anymore maybe they're telling us they want us to revert to the old style method of not taking earths to switches.

We'll have to get the manufacters to lobby the IET to somehow change or remove reg 412.2.3.2

Though not a bad idea really, there is a few I'd like to change, perhaps we can start our own lobby

 

[Adam W]

We'll have to get the manufacters to lobby the IET to somehow change or remove reg 412.2.3.2

Though not a bad idea really, there is a few I'd like to change, perhaps we can start our own lobby

Good plan - we could march on parliament. Maybe we could disrupt the royal wedding - there's still time! "No to 412.2.3.2!"

 

[Electricalserv]

Can you? So how is that different to connector blocking neutrals?

Its different because there is less cables....duh

 

[Adam W]

... But then you get less cables at the light fitting, which might not have a pattress to hide them in.

 

[aptsys]

Its different because there is less cables....duh

fail.

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