Are they really qualified?

[murraymint]

Here is an example of a qualified electricians work at a family member home. Anyone see the issues? I’m not saying that there are certain bits of work that need to be done by a qualified person but this is work that a homeowner / DIY can carry out.

 

[binky]

So they have used both earth terminals, nothing wrong with that.

 

[Andy™]

and your point is?

 

[Sharpend]

I’m guessing here? I think it’s the issue with the earth sheath being caught in terminal. A mistake that no professional makes?

 

[murraymint]

Back box not earthed and sheathing caught.

 

[Sharpend]

I think you’ll find it’s not a requirement to earth the back box providing there is one fixed lug.

 

[Andy™]

Back box not earthed and sheathing caught.

no requirement for backbox earthed. can't say for sheath, might be good but might be poor continuity, can't say from the pic

 

[Sharpend]

What’s your trade Murray?

 

[murraymint]

What’s your trade Murray?

I’m a network engineer of 30 year’s experience, If I don’t make good connections I generally find the stuff doesn’t work but thankfully no one will be put at risk. Yes I know I’m not a qualified electrician but looking at the earthing arrangement troubled me, in addition, the conductor is not doubled over in the earth terminal, my understanding is that when a single conductor is terminated that it needs to be doubled over to ensure that there is a good connection. I’ll stand corrected if earthing the back box is not needed but there is a terminal in the box and surely it would be better to use it.

 

[Andy™]

no requirement for it to be doubled over

as for the earth... i assume you'd also want one taken to this terminal too?

 

[murraymint]

no requirement for it to be doubled over

as for the earth... i assume you'd also want one taken to this terminal too?


View attachment 15342

Only if the back box is made of metal, plastic if fine but I’m no expert.

 

[johnb2713]

no requirement for backbox earthed.

No there isnt if it has at least one fixed lug but the IEE say it is good practice to do so. I have always put an earth lead across to the x, it's no real hardship and just 'may' make a difference one day.

 

[Andy™]

No there isnt if it has at least one fixed lug but the IEE say it is good practice to do so. I have always put an earth lead across to the x, it's no real hardship and just 'may' make a difference one day.

i almost always take an earth to it too, however that's my preference and that doesn't mean ill say those who don't are wrong

 

[johnb2713]

no requirement for it to be doubled over

as for the earth... i assume you'd also want one taken to this terminal too?


View attachment 15342

I've often wondered why they put them in plastic boxes......... maybe just for convenience when used with accessories other than sockets which may not need an earth attached to them, somewhere to park the unused conductor.

 

[DonClif]

There is nothing in the Regs that state you have to 'double over' the conductors in a socket

 

[murraymint]

Your absolutely correct, however it’s a good idea to fill the terminal with copper to ensure a good connection and that the conductor is securely held in place.

 

[binky]

Your absolutely correct, however it’s a good idea to fill the terminal with copper to ensure a good connection and that the conductor is securely held in place.

More about not cutting through the copper with the terminal screw, although some terminals have clamps. It's not essential to double over the conductor, but it's considered good practice.

 

[Murdoch]

So one piece of 1.5 mm into the earth connection is ok assuming it’s actually held in place by the screw but most continuity issues on ring circuits are caused by the earth/ cpc falling out so doubling back the core is a good idea imho

 

[Fleeting]

I always double back up to 4.0 but never a cpc to the back box unless the reference method requires it.

 

[DonClif]

unless the reference method requires it.

Can I ask what you mean by this? I thought reference methods were just basically just accounting for the route the cable takes?
(I'm still learning so genuine question)