Earth needed?

[norseman]

Not being a 'sparks' I'm puzzled by the fact that 13a sockets (surface or flush fitting) still have earth connections when virtually everything UK electrical these days only has twin core cable.
The weatherproof socket I'm about to install on the outside wall of our park home, wired into a junction box under the building, will only ever be used for electrical devices with twin core cable, so what's the point of an earth connection ?

I'm not trying to be controversial or a smart Alec, just curious.
Thanks for reading folks.

 

[EFLImpudence]

For when you plug in something that does need an earth.

Next.

 

[securespark]

Not sure what you mean by virtually everything has twin core.

Certainly household wiring is done in cable with earth wires, usually twin or three core and earth, sometimes with flexible cable.

The only exception in recent years is that installations done prior to 1966 have no earth wire in the lighting circuits.

Some appliances don't require an earth so their leads will only be two core.

 

[TimboTwo]

BS7671. Every point of use requires an earth, even if it's not used it has to be there.

 

[norseman]

Not sure what you mean by virtually everything has twin core.

Sorry, what I meant was that everything I buy today has a cable with just live & neutral, no earth wire.
In most cases the 13a plug is already on the appliance's cable.
Is the earth connection facility on a socket/plug just a throw-back in the UK as continental sockets are just 2 pin ?

 

[sparkwright]

Sorry, what I meant was that everything I buy today has a cable with just live & neutral, no earth wire.
In most cases the 13a plug is already on the appliance's cable.
Is the earth connection facility on a socket/plug just a throw-back in the UK as continental sockets are just 2 pin ?

Wait until you buy a new washing machine, or a heater - then you will see you need an earth throughout a socket circuit.

 

[securespark]

Sorry, what I meant was that everything I buy today has a cable with just live & neutral, no earth wire.
In most cases the 13a plug is already on the appliance's cable.
Is the earth connection facility on a socket/plug just a throw-back in the UK as continental sockets are just 2 pin ?

That's because many of the appliances are what are known as Double Insulated. These don't need an earth. Some double insulated appliances have plugs with a plastic earth pin. Other appliances are fed via a power supply plug or wallwart which outputs an extra low voltage.

 

[ericmark]

Before 1966 it was permitted to wire lighting without an earth, as most bulbs don't need it, however the fluorescent lamp did and also metal switches, and people would swap the pendent lamp for a fluorescent and you would have an unearthed class I bit of equipment, so it was decided except for a lampholder having no exposed-conductive-parts and suspended from such a point, a circuit protective conductor shall be run to and terminated at each point in wiring and at each accessory.

The only other exception is a shaver supply units complying with BS EN 61558-2-5 which is an IT system, which means it is insulated from terrestrial, nothing to do with information technology it was called IT well before computers came along.

I would agree most equipment designed for use in the garden is class II so no earth, and with a caravan TN-S-C is not permitted, but with a house quite common and there is a problem with TN-C-S and items used outside.

Seems the amendment II of BS7671:2018 has clarified that mobile homes are classed the same as caravans, boats, and petrol stations and TN-C-S is not allowed.

 

[plugwash]

Not being a 'sparks' I'm puzzled by the fact that 13a sockets (surface or flush fitting) still have earth connections when virtually everything UK electrical these days only has twin core cable.

"virtually everything" is a massive overstatement. Some equipment is Class 1 and requires an earth to be safe, other equipment is class 2 and does not. There are many considerations for a manufacturer in deciding which way to go, but as a general rule one typically sees.

Class 1:
White goods and kitchen eqipment
Desktop computers and monitors.

Class 2:
Garden equipment.
Phone chargers and other small AC-DC adapters.
Most audio/video equipment.

Varies by Manufacturer/model:
Laptop chargers
Heaters.
Lighting.
TVs.
Games consoles.

 

[FrodoOne]

Also, the "Earth" pin (even if it is plastic) is requited to push the protective shutters covering the Line and Neutral sockets "out of the way".

Many "continental" sockets may appear to be just 2 pin BUT they have two Earth connections on the edge. (See https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wires_in_AC_power_socket1.jpg )

 

[norseman]

Many thanks to all those who replied.

The IP66 socket to be fitted to my park/mobile home will only be used to power class 2 equipment. As such I plan to use cable intended for electric lawnmowers etc.
The sockets' primary function will be to power a battery charger (placed under the closed bonnet) as I have a parking bay next to the home, but don't have a garage.

 

[EFLImpudence]

You cannot do that.

The socket must have an earth wire.

 

[norseman]

You cannot do that. The socket must have an earth wire.

I have no wish to appear confrontational, but your post #2 seems to contradict that. I will only be running class 2 equipment.

 

[winston1]

Is the earth connection facility on a socket/plug just a throw-back in the UK as continental sockets are just 2 pin ?

No it is necessary for safety. Have a look at this website and you will see virtually all the world uses an earth, either side contacts or a pin.

https://www.plugsocketmuseum.nl/Overview.html

 

[FrodoOne]

I have no wish to appear confrontational, but your post #2 seems to contradict that. I will only be running class 2 equipment.

While you may "have no wish to appear confrontational" you are being so.

While EFLImpudence wrote "You cannot do that.", and you can do that, what should have been written was "You MAY not do that."
In fact, "You MUST not do that."

It appears that you are going out of your way to be obtuse.
From where do you intend to purchase appropriate cable without an Earth conductor and, if you do have cable with an Earth conductor, why do you choose not to connect it - at both ends?