Metal back box do I need to earth metal switch

Posted by Elena Hamilton, on Sun 05 Jan 2014 08:27am

Metal back box so do I need to earth metal light switch

Ian Brumhead Grant

Mon 06 Jan 2014 11:58am

Yes it is advisable as then should there by a fault the whole lot is earthed. Normally a earth coloured fly lead is run from the terminal on the back box to the earth tag on the light switch.

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Sam Sandhu

Sun 05 Jan 2014 03:48pm

Hi Elena Yes all metal light switches must be earthed. The incoming cable must have an earth which is attached to the switch itself as well as the back box. If there is no earth present, only a plastic light switch should be used. Hope this helps. Sam (eps)

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Andrew Procter

Tue 14 Jan 2014 12:07pm

Hi Elena, Yes earth the metal switch and metal backbox, through the earth wire in the circuit cable. regards andy

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Matthew Colak

Tue 07 Jan 2014 08:29pm

Hi Elena, The actual fact is if you have metal fronts on your light switch then yes they need to be earthed. However if you have an old style wiring system which doesn't have earths then as long as plastic switches and back this wiring up with an RCD then you are perfectly safe. For further information i advise you check out the Electrical Safety Council (esc.gov) webpage for helpful advice when it comes to electrics. Kind regards, Matt

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Bryan Winn

Sun 05 Jan 2014 08:36pm

Hi,as already stated the earth(s) in the switch should be connected to the earth connection on the metal back box then an earth wire from the metal back box to the switch is required,earth sleeving is also required to be placed on the earth wire(s)

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