To earth or not to earth?

[Johnny T]

Please advise me. I'm a DIY'er: I'm fitting a Click Mode 50A DP Pull Switch (barrel shaped, like the typical cup you get on the top of a tea flask), in my bathroom to power on/off the electric shower. The two sets of wiring that come through the ceiling - one group for "In", the other for "Out", each include the usual Red Live, Black Neutral and Green Earth. However, inside the Pull Switch there is only one earth connector. This is positioned near the "Out" connectors. My question is: should I just connect the earth wire in the "Out" group to this earth connector and simply seal off the earth wire in the "In" group, or should I try to connect both earth wires to the one earth connector? I'm in the middle of the task now, so a quick reply would be much appreciated. Thanks

 

[Wilko]

Hi Johnny and Welcome.
High power electric showers are a dangerous bit of kit if not wired up correctly, are you sure you want to be doing this? But yes the earth wire should be continuous.

 

[Johnny T]

Hi Johnny and Welcome.
The earth wire must be continuous.

Thanks for replying Wilko. But what does your answer mean in terms of what I should do?

 

[Wilko]

Join the earth wires in that terminal so they are continuous. Make sure all connections are nice and tight.

 

[polo1]

V important! Try to connect both cpcs (earths) to the connection point in the switch, failing which join them both in a suitable connector in the switch.
Are you just replacing the switch?
As has been said, the shower probably draws between 7.5 & 10.5 kW so it's critical that all the connections are tight and well made.
Ah, Wilko beat me to it!

 

[Wilko]

And this is what it looks like a month later if the connections are not top quality ... a bit cheeky of me as this probably isn't a shower or it's got the wrong cable

 

[Johnny T]

OK, I'll connect both earth wires to the (single) earth connector. I guess that's what you all mean by "continuous". And yes, I'll make sure all connections are tight. But I'll wait 5 minutes before I proceed, in case any of you want to scream at me that I've understood wrong! ;-)

 

[polo1]

Last tip, tighten the connections, leave for 10-15mns and try again - you will probably find that you'll get a further quarter turn on each screw due to the copper compressing under load.

 

[Pete999]

OK, I'll connect both earth wires to the (single) earth connector. I guess that's what you all mean by "continuous". And yes, I'll make sure all connections are tight. But I'll wait 5 minutes before I proceed, in case any of you want to scream at me that I've understood wrong! ;-)

You could always get an Electrician in to do the connections properly, it has already been mentioned Electric Showers are high consumers of electricity and need to be connected properly, seen it many times when householders think "oh it's only a couple of wires how hard can it be, would you try and connect any gas appliances you have in your house? I doubt it, you can smell gas, electricity, no, until it catches fire, do yourself a favour mate get a sparky in wont cost much, could save lives and your house.

 

[marconi]

Johnny T - Your opening post rang alarm bells when you wrote- "My question is: should I just connect the earth wire in the "Out" group to this earth connector and simply seal off the earth wire in the "In" group, or should I try to connect both earth wires to the one earth connector?"

Such a question indicates you lack the competence to do this swap. Sure you can push wire in holes and tighten up screws. But will you test that all is well electrically so that the shower for example is indeed earthed, the cable is the correct size for the installation method, there is an rcd which operates to specification,....

You should employ and electrician to do this and test the work afterwards. It would give you peace of mind and keep your home insurer happy.

I am 'heavy' on competency in electrical work because in one of my jobs I was appointed to a site to put right the safe systems of work for electricity after a contractor was killed - he thought he knew what he was doing at the time. Death happens in an instant but the misery lasts a long time afterwards.

 

[Johnny T]

Right. Job done, and working perfectly. It was just a switch replacement but I made the mistake of not observing how the earth wires were connected when I removed the old one. Anyway, I couldn't have completed it without your prompt assistance, direction and reassurances. Many thanks, guys )

 

[Johnny T]

Sorry Pete999 and Marconi, I had only just posted my 'job done' message before I saw your two messages recommending I employ an electrician with the required expertise. I understand what you are saying. I think I have done the job competently, but, to be on the safe side, I will get an electrician to come test it out for me. Cheers

 

[JAWS]

Forgive me if I'm wrong but as simple of a job it may seem surely priority in any bathroom where electrics are involved an electrician should always be first port of call.

 

[KEV 1 N]

Just remember if in a few weeks/months, you smell burning fish....it'll be your shower pull cord.
Loose wires cause fires!

 

[telectrix]

or he could have just had a dump after eating kippers.