UK Outside socket earthing

[jmmrly]

Hi,
I'm located in the UK and replacing my outside double socket plugs with ener-j smart wifi sockets. I've wired it as the picture below, exactly the same as the old one. I used my tester and it's only earthing one plug. There's another earth socket but I didn't need an earth wire in each one in the old socket. I've googled and it looks like most plugs only need earth in one socket, and it connects to the other. I guess this doesn't connect the earths. So do I need to buy some earth wire cover, split the wires (there's two wires in each) and plug one earth wire into the other plug?

Seems silly but thought i'd ask in-case i'm doing something stupid.

 

[littlespark]

The earth terminal should connect to the earth on both sockets. What sort of tester are you using?


is this Wi-fi socket waterproof? Or in a waterproof enclosure?

 

[jmmrly]

The earth terminal should connect to the earth on both sockets. What sort of tester are you using?


is this Wi-fi socket waterproof? Or in a waterproof enclosure?

It's in a waterproof enclosure, this is the tester I used;
Plug tester
Got 'Correct' for the left plug, and 'Open ground' on the right plug. Once I reverted to the old socket plugged in the same way, both sockets shower 'Correct'. So it looks like I need to split the earth wire into each socket then.

 

[Pete999]

Hi,
I'm located in the UK and replacing my outside double socket plugs with ener-j smart wifi sockets. I've wired it as the picture below, exactly the same as the old one. I used my tester and it's only earthing one plug. There's another earth socket but I didn't need an earth wire in each one in the old socket. I've googled and it looks like most plugs only need earth in one socket, and it connects to the other. I guess this doesn't connect the earths. So do I need to buy some earth wire cover, split the wires (there's two wires in each) and plug one earth wire into the other plug?

Seems silly but thought i'd ask in-case i'm doing something stupid.



View attachment 61552

Far to much bare copper showing on all connections

 

[Strima]

Have you got a multimeter you can check the continuity with? A plug in tester has its limits and can give false readings.

 

[telectrix]

could be a faulty socket. only way is to test for continuity with a meter.

 

[jmmrly]

could be a faulty socket. only way is to test for continuity with a meter.

I've just looked at the reviews of the socket I bought Here

And it says 'Be aware that the two earth connection ports on the rear of the socket are not connected like normal sockets.'

So for whatever reason, I'm gonna have to earth each one individually. Think i'd be safe splitting it and buying some plastic to put over the individual wires? or find another more decent socket? Although I couldn't find any other outdoor waterpoorf smart sockets.

 

[Dartlec]

If this is the one, then It does appear that you may need to connect the other earth socket up yes, though that certainly isn't the norm and I'd be slightly concerned whether the socket meets all the necessary standards that it claims to.

You could buy some insulated earth wiring to run from one socket to the other, or if you have a short piece of flexible cable spare (1.5mm) strip out and use just the earth wire.

Then retest and hopefully you'll have earth continuity to both sockets.

As previously mentioned, if that picture was the final terminations then you need to trim the copper down- there shouldn't be any bare copper on show with the L and N wires.

 

[telectrix]

just link with a bit of wire (1.5mm) with green/yellow sleeving.

 

[Strima]

If the earths are not connected I seriously doubt it meets any current standards for use within the UK. That could seriously impact the safety of a ring final circuit meaning if two or more of those sockets are connected to it you will have unearthed sockets.

 

[jmmrly]

If the earths are not connected I seriously doubt it meets any current standards for use within the UK.

Not gonna trust it. It'll be a return jobby then. It's a shame there isn't anymore decent outdoor smart sockets, this was the only one I could find.

 

[westward10]

You can get 13A sockets with two separate isolated earth terminals, MK are one such producer and they are used for clean earth installations (often supplied with a link in place which can be removed). I suspect this socket in question is of dubious quality if the earth terminals need linking as this could easily overlooked by the DIY installer and should be made clear.

 

[Dartlec]

Not gonna trust it. It'll be a return jobby then. It's a shame there isn't anymore decent outdoor smart sockets, this was the only one I could find.

If you can find a normal socket you like, it might fit into something like this as long as it doesn't project forwards more than a normal socket and is not too deep.

 

[jmmrly]

If you can find a normal socket you like, it might fit into something like this as long as it doesn't project forwards more than a normal socket and is not too deep.

Fantastic.
Looks like this would be perfect as it's low profile

 

[freddo]

Says it should fit a 25mm back box so you should be ok, BG products will be approved for UK use.

 

[Dartlec]

If I recall correctly, the BG external sockets are basically a housing with a standard BG socket installed in anyway, so you might be able to get one of those and straight swap the socket for the one you linked.

 

[7029 dave]

Reterm those connections copper showing , no shiners please.

 

[jmmrly]

Fantastic.
Looks like this would be perfect as it's low profile

It needed sanding quite a bit but got it to the socket to fit in perfectly, and the holes were deep enough for no bare wires to be showing. Used my tester and passed on both sockets. Thanks for your help all, I'm learning plenty!

 

[lozarus]

Just to point out definitely don't split your existing earth wires and put one in each. You'll end up losing earth throughout the circuit if they're not interconnected through the socket. As others have mentioned these sound like they're non compliant.

 

[jmmrly]

Just to point out definitely don't split your existing earth wires and put one in each. You'll end up losing earth throughout the circuit if they're not interconnected through the socket. As others have mentioned these sound like they're non compliant.

The new socket I bought has them connected, I've only put it in one. I got rid of the iffy one from the OP.