Having a house re-wire, are old back boxes within new regs?

[westward10]

Do the existing back boxes have earth terminals because if you have plastic light switches they will need them.

 

[Soultrader]

Do the existing back boxes have earth terminals because if you have plastic light switches they will need them.

No they don’t have an earth terminal. Is it a part of regulations that they must have them?

 

[westward10]

No they don’t have an earth terminal. Is it a part of regulations that they must have them?

Are you using plastic light switches because if you are the cpc terminates to the back box but for metal switches it terminates to the switch itself.

 

[Soultrader]

Are you using plastic light switches because if you are the cpc terminates to the back box but for metal switches it terminates to the switch itself.

Just standard white light switches. I can see they have put earths into a loose choc box terminal in the backbox

 

[telectrix]

Just standard white light switches. I can see they have put earths into a loose choc box terminal in the backbox

NOT GOOD. THOSE EARTHS NEED TO BE CONNECTED TO THE METAL BOXES.

 

[Soultrader]

NOT GOOD. THOSE EARTHS NEED TO BE CONNECTED TO THE METAL BOXES.

I don’t think those old boxes are metal though, I’m sure they’re plastic.

Do they have to be replaced with metal ones according to current regulations?

 

[SJD]

Do you have a photo of one of these old boxes?

 

[brianmoooore]

NOT GOOD. THOSE EARTHS NEED TO BE CONNECTED TO THE METAL BOXES.

I purposely didn't mention earthing terminals in my first post on this thread, to see if any one else picked it up.
A few weeks ago, I would have agreed fully with the quote above, but since then we've had the 'where can I get plastic 3.5mm screws' thread, which came to the conclusion that it's permitted to use metal screws with unearthed metal back boxes.
It's definitely OK to use unearthed metal boxes with earthed metal plate switches, as long as at least one of the box's lugs is non adjustable, since it's no longer considered necessary (not on my watch, though) to omit the fly lead between a socket and its box, so, taking the two examples together, the cpc must be present in the switch box, but, with a plastic switch, does it need to be connected to anything?

 

[brianmoooore]

I don’t think those old boxes are metal though, I’m sure they’re plastic.

Do they have to be replaced with metal ones according to current regulations?

These aren't going to turn out to be surface boxes, are they?

 

[DefyG]

it will take maybe 28 days to get the building control notification processed

It can be available 'instantly' if notified on the NICEIC website (and maybe other schemes too), are the contractors NIC approved? If so no excuse a delay in the Part P cert, which cant be notified (online) until the EIC is finalised (online), but with technology today can be done in a blink of any eye!

 

[Soultrader]

I purposely didn't mention earthing terminals in my first post on this thread, to see if any one else picked it up.
A few weeks ago, I would have agreed fully with the quote above, but since then we've had the 'where can I get plastic 3.5mm screws' thread, which came to the conclusion that it's permitted to use metal screws with unearthed metal back boxes.
It's definitely OK to use unearthed metal boxes with earthed metal plate switches, as long as at least one of the box's lugs is non adjustable, since it's no longer considered necessary (not on my watch, though) to omit the fly lead between a socket and its box, so, taking the two examples together, the cpc must be present in the switch box, but, with a plastic switch, does it need to be connected to anything?

I spoke to a family member who is an electrician and according to their view using old plastic back boxes without an earth falls within regs.
I understand your comment is about metal back boxes however I am attempting to get a definitive answer on this scenario where the backbox is plastic, metal screws, standard white switches, loose earth terminal in backbox.

 

[Soultrader]

These aren't going to turn out to be surface boxes, are they?

No.

 

[Soultrader]

It can be available 'instantly' if notified on the NICEIC website (and maybe other schemes too), are the contractors NIC approved? If so no excuse a delay in the Part P cert, which cant be notified (online) until the EIC is finalised (online), but with technology today can be done in a blink of any eye!

Yes they are nic approved. Thank you for that.

 

[Strima]

I spoke to a family member who is an electrician and according to their view using old plastic back boxes without an earth falls within regs.
I understand your comment is about metal back boxes however I am attempting to get a definitive answer on this scenario where the backbox is plastic, metal screws, standard white switches, loose earth terminal in backbox.

If the box is plastic and the switch is plastic then the earth should be terminated into a block/Wago for future use if required.

As the whole lot is plastic and non-conductive the screws can be metal with no risk.

 

[Soultrader]

If the box is plastic and the switch is plastic then the earth should be terminated into a block/Wago for future use if required.

As the whole lot is plastic and non-conductive the screws can be metal with no risk.

Thank you

 

[Soultrader]

If the box is plastic and the switch is plastic then the earth should be terminated into a block/Wago for future use if required.

As the whole lot is plastic and non-conductive the screws can be metal with no risk.

I thought the back boxes were plastic but in fact they are metal but where the screws/bolts go it’s plastic.
Does this change anything?

 

[brianmoooore]

Plastic insert type and shallow. Get rid.

 

[westward10]

The fixing points look shot.

 

[LukeD]

The fixing points look shot.

This 100% .

 

[littlespark]

The sparks will find, after first fix and everything plastered and decorated.... the screws for the accessories won’t grip those old plastic inserts.

Get them changed.