3 core and earth - but don't need the earth..

[andyc2000]

When using 3 core and earth but I don't need the earth - what's best practice - just snip the earth as close to the sheath as possible or something else? This is for a bathroom fan with run on timer. It is isolated by a triple pole switch. The fan doesn't have an earth connection (double insulated).

Cheers.

 

[bernardgreen]

The earth conductor whether needed or not should be earthed at the supply end and left useably long, sleeved and terminated in a terminal block or similar at the end where it is ( today ) not needed.

 

[rjb]

I wouldn't cut it down because you don't know what will happen for future installations.

I would screw end into connection block and tape up in green/yellow insulation tape.

 

[rjb]

Bernard Green beat me to it again

 

[bernardgreen]

Bernard Green beat me to it again

Being green I am fast on the earth, but please NO tape, it makes a sticky goey mess after a few years and is a right %^*&%* to remove sometime in the future.

 

[andyc2000]

Thanks. I'll shall do it that way...

 

[Taylortwocities]

Andy, FYI, that bare copper wire is called the circuit protective conductor. It must be earthed at one end to do its job (ie to trip the fuse if there is a fault on the cable).

Its also needed for the electrician when he does an earth fault loop impedance test.

 

[daytona]

dont connect it either end if its an lv fan (load side).could possibly put 240v in an illegal zone in the event of a fault

 

[Taylortwocities]

Yes, partly true but if its an LV fan (load side) then the 3-wire connection to the timer and transformer will be remote from the (LV) fan with only 2 wires needed from the transformer to the fan.

A 3 wire connection, with earthed cpc, will be required from the fan isolator to the transformer.