Revved Up Sparky
Senior Member
Most sparks know that it is now acceptable to connect earths (as in circuit protective conductors) to the earth terminals of a socket/ fused spur outlet front without installing a short piece of earth to the metal box provided that at least one fixed lug exists on the metal box- thus relying on the pattress screws for earth continuity.
Well today I was inspecting and testing a recently installed rewire (carried out by a different company) and, on inspecting the fused spur outlets in the kitchen, I discovered that the installer had connected all the earths (cpcs) to the earth terminal on the metal box but nothing to the earth terminals on the front of the fused spur.
When I voiced my concern to the installer he said that the fixed lug rule applies and that it is acceptable.
I cannot help feeling uneasy about this though. What if someone decided to re-tile the wall, unscrewed the front and gave it a little pull? the live could pop out and touch the earth bar !-- then when the tiler decided to screw it back on he would get a belt from the livened up earth bar.
Do you think, when connecting a fused spur outlet, that it is acceptable to connect all earths to a metal box and nothing to the actual front ?.
I would really appreciate some clarity on this ?. Thanks in advance.
Well today I was inspecting and testing a recently installed rewire (carried out by a different company) and, on inspecting the fused spur outlets in the kitchen, I discovered that the installer had connected all the earths (cpcs) to the earth terminal on the metal box but nothing to the earth terminals on the front of the fused spur.
When I voiced my concern to the installer he said that the fixed lug rule applies and that it is acceptable.
I cannot help feeling uneasy about this though. What if someone decided to re-tile the wall, unscrewed the front and gave it a little pull? the live could pop out and touch the earth bar !-- then when the tiler decided to screw it back on he would get a belt from the livened up earth bar.
Do you think, when connecting a fused spur outlet, that it is acceptable to connect all earths to a metal box and nothing to the actual front ?.
I would really appreciate some clarity on this ?. Thanks in advance.