2G Socket - Dual Earth Connection

[ash_s3]

Quick question, just wanted to see what others think about this.

Working on a job at the moment in offices, wiring and connecting sockets in dado trunking.

Was pulled-up today for connecting the two earth cables in the same terminal on the back of the dual socket.
Was told that each earth should be doubled back and terminated in individual earth terminals on the back of the socket. (MK sockets with dual earth)

However when i had a look at the back of the socket, the two earth terminals are joined together anyway.
Didnt want to question his knowledge but just thought it was a bit 'picky'

Was i just being 'put in my place' or is there a reg regarding this? Cant seem to find anything myself.

Anyone got any thoughts?

 

[Spudnik]

I would say they were correct as this circuit could very well be designed with 'high integrity' earthing.

 

[Sintra]

Quick question, just wanted to see what others think about this.

Working on a job at the moment in offices, wiring and connecting sockets in dado trunking.

Was pulled-up today for connecting the two earth cables in the same terminal on the back of the dual socket.
Was told that each earth should be doubled back and terminated in individual earth terminals on the back of the socket. (MK sockets with dual earth)

However when i had a look at the back of the socket, the two earth terminals are joined together anyway.
Didnt want to question his knowledge but just thought it was a bit 'picky'

Was i just being 'put in my place' or is there a reg regarding this? Cant seem to find anything myself.

Anyone got any thoughts?

More than likely high integrity earthing as it is in an office. ie split cpc's at sockets and cu / db.

Is it a ring or a radial circuit?

 

[ash_s3]

607-02-05 Where two protective conductors are used in accordance with Regulation 607-02-04 (iii), the ends of the protective conductors shall be terminated independently of each other at all connection points throughout the circuit. e.g. the distribution board, junction boxes and socket-outlets. This requires an accessory to be provided with two separate earth terminals.

Ah ha!

More than likely high integrity earthing as it is in an office. ie split cpc's at sockets and cu / db.

Is it a ring or a radial circuit?

Ring, wired in 4mm T+E

 

[Sintra]

You got it then.

 

[Spudnik]

Come on then, who is going to explain why?

 

[ash_s3]

Come on then, who is going to explain why?

Go on then!

The only thing i thought of, was if one earth terminal became loose you would still have the other giving continuity throughout the circuit

 

[Spudnik]

Go on then!
The only thing i thought of, was if one earth terminal became loose you would still have the other giving continuity throughout the circuit

Top of the class!!!! (nearly)

It ensures that the socket outlet still has a cpc connected

 

[roukel01]

Come on then, who is going to explain why?

It stops the old schoolers from twisting them together!

 

[ash_s3]

Tidy!

Ive found on the net about high integrity earthing needed on items with high earth leakage, so IT equipment right?

You really do learn something everyday!

 

[Spudnik]

It is in the regs--- somewhere.

A lot of office blocks and office refurbs etc should now be installed this way.

Ill see if i can find it.

Edit Found --- 543.7.1.4


Not sure where you got your reg number from

 

[ash_s3]

Thanks Jason

 

[Guest123]

Not sure where you got your reg number from

Do you know what I thought that when I read his post.......thats a 16th Ed reg number.

 

[ash_s3]

Do you know what I thought that when I read his post.......thats a 16th Ed reg number.

T'interweb

 

[Spudnik]

T'interweb

You bad lad.

Get your regs book out.

100 lines---

I MUST use my regs book and not the internet for proper info

 

[ash_s3]

You bad lad.

Get your regs book out.

100 lines---

I MUST use my regs book and not the internet for proper info

Its in the boot of my car with all my college stuff, no way am i going outside to get it!

 

[Davey101]

Yeah, defo need to be in seperate terminals. Have you looked in the D/board they are fed from, how are the earths connected in there?

 

[Eggster71]

More than likely high integrity earthing as it is in an office. ie split cpc's at sockets and cu / db.

Is it a ring or a radial circuit?

I HATE HAVING TO TERMINATE OFFICE D/Bs!!!!!!
Q. How many boards have twice as many earth terminals as outgoing ways?????
A. None that I've ever seen!

I've asked NICEIC tech and they say you can't add an "external" or "additional" earth terminals, such as marshalling blocks as they're not type tested and the whole board would need a kitemark type test!

 

[Davey101]

Agreed, absoloutley (sp) stupid. You are meant to combine earths from different circuits, i.e. leg one of circuit one goes into terminal one. Leg 2 goes into terminal 2, along with leg 1 of circuit 2 and so on. Makes testing a lot of fun, especially with those crappy rcd earth leads.
You can buy additional (longer) earth bars, although not necessarily for this purpose.

 

[andekoch]

Agreed the testing is confusing when terminated into adjacent terminals, always a hassle to work out whi earth is for which circuit, esp if single cores. NICEIC complained when I did this (on an inspection) and told me to put both CPC's into the same terminal so it was easy to follow.