NEW BUILD SOCKETS HAVE EARTH WiRE BUT light SWITCHES don't (Ed.)

[DIYLISA95]

Hi DIYers,

I’m in the process of switching my new build plastic socket covers to antique brass ones.

So far I’ve done the plug sockets in the kitchen which all had earth wires and were simple to switch over.

Today I’ve attempted my first light switch which didn’t have an earth wire loose and for the taking.

It’s my understanding you need to have an earth wire if using a metal plate. The new plate has space for an earth wire, the old one doesn’t.

Where do I go from here? Time to get the pros in?

 

[thomp1983]

You can get yourself a 4 way wago connector or bit of chocolate block and use it to replace the 3 way wago connector the Earths are currently connected in.

You can then use a new piece of wire from the extra slot on the wago to the terminal on the faceplate.

 

[EFLImpudence]

The green and yellow covered wires are the earth wires.

Connect them all to the switch.

 

[DIYLISA95]

The green and yellow covered wires are the earth wires.

Connect them all to the switch.

Thanks for the reply. Yes, but how? Just take them all out the wago and put them in the earth section?

 

[thomp1983]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, but how? Just take them all out the wagon and put them in the earth section?

Yes, the orange bits of the wago pull up to release the wires, then put all 3 in the earth terminal and tighten the screw.

 

[DIYLISA95]

You can get yourself a 4 way wago connector or bit of chocolate block and use it to replace the 3 way wago connector the Earths are currently connected in.

You can then use a new piece of wire from the extra slot on the wago to the terminal on the faceplate.

Oh awesome. So essentially I just put a new piece of wire out of the fourth input into the switch?

 

[EFLImpudence]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, but how? Just take them all out the wagon and put them in the earth section?

Yes.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

You can get yourself a 4 way wago connector or bit of chocolate block and use it to replace the 3 way wago connector the Earths are currently connected in.

It doesn't even need that - The earth wires are perfectly long enough, to go straight into the earth terminal on the switch.

 

[DIYLISA95]

Yes, the orange bits of the wago pull up to release the wires, then put all 3 in the earth terminal and tighten the screw.

Thanks a bunch

You can get yourself a 4 way wago connector or bit of chocolate block and use it to replace the 3 way wago connector the Earths are currently connected in.

You can then use a new piece of wire from the extra slot on the wago to the terminal on the faceplate.

just realised there’s actually four wires into that wago. Can I just take one out for the faceplate and leave the rest?

 

[DIYLISA95]

It doesn't even need that - The earth wires are perfectly long enough, to go straight into the earth terminal on the switch.

Can I just take one of the four wires out and leave the rest in the wago or should I put all four into the faceplate?

 

[EFLImpudence]

No. They must ALL connect to the switch.

 

[DIYLISA95]

No. They must ALL connect to the switch.

Thanks very much for your help.

 

[Murdochcat]

No. They must ALL connect to the switch.

Not sure I agree with that as its open to interpretation - you could buy a 5 way lever Wago use it to connect the 4 ways and run a short piece of cable from the remaining spare way in the wago to the switch

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

Then they would all be connected to the switch!

 

[sparkwright]

You could run two earth wires to the wago, two the earthy terminal on the switch, and a short link wire between - if you felt the need.