2 earths

[Lectrician]

When I first read this thread, I just new some pillock was going to have to confuse things and mention high integrity earthing.

 

[Iggifer]

In the olden days 2008 we connected two earths (one from each leg of the ring into one terminal) however, in 2008 the selected people who make changes to the regulations decided it would be better, safer, and another change to the regs if we had two earth terminals , and to be trendy- called it "dual earth. If you want to earth the back box, thats "best practice" but no doubt a debate that will run for days…….. on this site.

If you want to connect an earth ( cpc ) if your street wise, you could use two terminals ……… but actually if the theory is correct the manufacturer should provide you with 3 !

Biggest load of nonsense I have read in a long time.

Standard MK 2G sockets, unsurprisingly have one Earth terminal. Are they breaking the rules? (I think not!)

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

When I first read this thread, I just new some pillock was going to have to confuse things and mention high integrity earthing.

The people who mentioned it are not pillocks, the one who gave misguided information with regards to it, maybe is? But I will leave that verdict to your honourable self.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Sorry guys, but I only have one earth cable, is that ok and do I need to worry about the earth to the terminal box? Can I just plug the one earth cable that I have into any of the earth terminal. Thanks again.

Is your new socket plastic or metallic?
Is backbox metallic?
Do you have a rigid lug to screw to on the backbox?

If metal plate and backbox with non-rigid lugs, then a tail between the socket and the backbox earths would be recommended.

The reasons why you only have one earth is that the socket is either a spur from the socket circuit, therefore will not have a second leg or the end socket on a radial circuit again only one leg of cable will be there.

As you only have the one leg, you can only connect the one earth as there is not another to terminate!
(I learned that at school )

 

[aesmith]

Sorry guys, but I only have one earth cable, is that ok and do I need to worry about the earth to the terminal box? Can I just plug the one earth cable that I have into any of the earth terminal. Thanks again.

Back to the actual installation, if you only have one Earth lead, do you only have one L and N?

 

[Lectrician]

When I first read this thread, I just new some pillock was going to have to confuse things and mention high integrity earthing.

The people who mentioned it are not pillocks, the one who gave misguided information with regards to it, maybe is? But I will leave that verdict to your honourable self.

Umm.

Or confuse matters with their complete lack of understanding of the matter...?

 

[Bobbya82]

Sorry me again, could someone jut explain while I only one earth cable and not one from each cable on the ring main like the live neutral? Do they all feed back to a central earthing terminal? Thanks again.

 

[securespark]

high integrity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFSMLdmkdTM

Oh, no, hang on, that's high fidelity...

Still any excuse for a 1980's flashback.

 

[aesmith]

Sorry me again, could someone jut explain while I only one earth cable and not one from each cable on the ring main like the live neutral? Do they all feed back to a central earthing terminal? Thanks again.

You should have one earth from each "cable", by "cable" I mean the overall sheathed cable which should contain one Red (or Brown) Live, and one Black (or Blue) Neutral and one uninsulated Earth (which should be sleeved Yellow/Green within the fitting).

If you don't it might be an idea to post a photo of the cabling if you can. It doesn't sound correct from what you've said.

 

[Bobbya82]

I only have one earth cable. Will try to post pic. Thanks. The house is only about 25 years old.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

I only have one earth cable. Will try to post pic. Thanks. The house is only about 25 years old.

If you have two sets of cables entering the backbox, then you should expect to find 2 neutrals ,2 lives and 2 earths/cpcs.
Are sure they are not twisted together, making you think there is only one?
If not.

You could check within the sheath of the set of cables that does not have an earth/cpc, to see if it has been cut back or broken, if so it can be extended be use of a connector.
If there is not one within the sheath, then a little more investigation would be required, it could be that this cable is not part of the original set up and been added on at some point, to either extend the circuit or supply a spur to another accessory.

 

[Bobbya82]

Ok sorry there is 2 but just in the one cover so it just looked like one. Do I have to put one in each of the earth terminals on socket or can they just go into one? Thanks

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Ok sorry there is 2 but just in the one cover so it just looked like one. Do I have to put one in each of the earth terminals on socket or can they just go into one? Thanks

You can do either.

 

[Bobbya82]

Ok thanks all for your help.