PE from metal back box to socket

[Paul228]

Have things changed and I missed the memo.
Let's start by saying I'm a fossil. I was trained the old way, were u went with a mate and went to night school and day release. Anyway, was on a domestic fault for a mate of a mate. I rocked up, kitchen ring tripping. Asked any recent works, holes drilled etc, non was the reply ( which was a fib, but no matter). Took both legs out of the board, circuit breaker tests ok, ring has 48k short. Went to split the ring mid point and noticed no earth strap from the box to the socket ( in my day this was mandatory). Found fault, someone had fitted an outside socket, full of water. Anyway back to the internal metal back box. The ring was in a new extension, one year old. So I advised them to get the sparks back to fix it. A few days later, customer rang me and said the sparks said it's not a requirement anymore. My question..since when

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Some would argue that the back box is not exposed so doesn’t need earthing.
That aside, many sockets have metal rings around where the face plate screws go, these rings are attached to the earth terminals and the back box is earthed through the screws.

 

[buzzlightyear]

It is good practice to do that but its not manatory.on earthing the back box , shields up mr sulu.

 

[chris gray]

It’s niether extraneous or exposed

 

[Pete999]

Have things changed and I missed the memo.
Let's start by saying I'm a fossil. I was trained the old way, were u went with a mate and went to night school and day release. Anyway, was on a domestic fault for a mate of a mate. I rocked up, kitchen ring tripping. Asked any recent works, holes drilled etc, non was the reply ( which was a fib, but no matter). Took both legs out of the board, circuit breaker tests ok, ring has 48k short. Went to split the ring mid point and noticed no earth strap from the box to the socket ( in my day this was mandatory). Found fault, someone had fitted an outside socket, full of water. Anyway back to the internal metal back box. The ring was in a new extension, one year old. So I advised them to get the sparks back to fix it. A few days later, customer rang me and said the sparks said it's not a requirement anymore. My question..since when

As far as I'm aware, as long as 1 of the box lugs is fixed then there is no need to use a fly lead, mind you I'm a fossil as well so things may have changed, bye the bye your spelling is as bad if not worse than out current bad speller buzzlightyear, check out some of his posts, bring a tear to your eye

 

[Paul228]

Agreed on both point. But A) why have the termination screw o the box if it's not mandatory and B) why was I told to do it and have always done it since I was a lad?

 

[buzzlightyear]

Now now Pete you need to go back under the stairs .

 

[Octopus]

If the socket or switch is metal I would always fit one .....

 

[Paul228]

Appols for my spelling, I have dyslexia, so rely on auto correct.

 

[Pete999]

If the socket or switch is metal I would always fit one .....

So would I, I was just stating the current thinking of the time.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Agreed on both point. But A) why have the termination screw o the box if it's not mandatory and B) why was I told to do it and have always done it since I was a lad?

Not sure that all sockets have or have always had the metal ring around the screw hole.

 

[chris gray]

The termination block is there for when a switch is to be fitted, stops a floating earth

 

[buzzlightyear]

Appols for my spelling, I have dyslexia, so rely on auto correct.

i have that has well ,i keep scratching it ive tried ointment. Bu t it keeps coming back .

 

[westward10]

The only time it is required is if the incoming cpc is steel conduit or a cable sheath such as MI or swa. If the box has lugs of which neither is fixed it is also required. To fit one when it is not strictly necessary is neither good or poor practice.

 

[Paul228]

Cheers guys.... I'll continue as I've always done. But thanks for the input

 

[Pete999]

Now now Pete you need to go back under the stairs .

Sorry buzz no offence meant.

 

[telectrix]

the option to omit fly leads to back boxes with at least 1 fixed lug came in an amendment to 16th, circa 2004. it's still good practice though.

 

[Toneyz]

Usually, if one of the screw lugs are fixed it is deemed that the metal k.o box is earthed through the 3.5mm screw and eyelet of the socket or other accessories if the designer/installer feels that this mechanical contact is poor or future deterioration is likely then an earth flylead is
required. If both the lugs are adjustable then this is classed as unreliable. There is nothing wrong with going beyond the minimum standard set down by BS7671.

 

[Wilko]

Agreed on both point. But A) why have the termination screw in the box if it's not mandatory ...

Hi Paul - Recently I had to leave a cable joint accessible in a disused metal backbox and so I used it then. .

 

[Paul228]

I'll keep putting them on... belt n braces