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Yes, the switch plate is not earthed. Other things on the circuit may also be unsafe.Does this mean the existing switch is wired dangerously then?
Engage an electrician.
Yes, the switch plate is not earthed. Other things on the circuit may also be unsafe.Does this mean the existing switch is wired dangerously then?
Okay, so that earth connector (bottom left on attached photo) seems to go nowhere (or is the fact the clip on metal front touches the switch plate enough to do the earthing?).
That is not the reason.I was told, that even though class 2 products don’t require and Earth/cpc, that it needs to be there should anyone accidentally cut through the live and or neutral wires.
It's incorrect. Dangerous if a wire touches the metal parts.Does this mean the existing switch is wired dangerously then?
The green/yellow should be your earth/cpc.Okay, here’s what the backbox looks like…
As I wrote, the reg (as quoted by EFLI in post #19) requires only that a CPC ('earth#) be 'run to each point and accessory) - hence,if more than one cables go to an accessory and one has an 'earth', that reg theoretically means that any other cables do not have to have an earth. In any event, there is no immediate safety issue in having no earth 'available' at an accessory/item that does not need one - as I said before (and as the note to the reg says) the requirement exists in case the accessory/item is subsequently changed to one which does require an earth.I was told, that even though class 2 products don’t require and Earth/cpc, that it needs to be there should anyone accidentally cut through the live and or neutral wires.
The irony is that seems to be that it looks as if, were it not for that earth terminal, any 'clip on metal front' (IF there is one) would be separated from anything electrical by plastic which was at least as insulating, thick and 'reinforced' as that of a Class II item - so that, even though it probably does not bear a Class II marking, in common sense terms it would not require an earth were the earth terminal not thereThat switch is a low profile ,clip on metal front. The switch plate is metal with a plastic edging,and clearly has an earth terminal as shown by Johnw2 above.
Well, not really, that cable must be going somewhere that also needs an earth.that reg theoretically means that any other cables do not have an earth.
... but that 'somewhere' might be getting it's (required) earth through a different cable, mightn't it?Well, not really, that cable must be going somewhere that also needs an earth.
I consider this a bit fanciful. I am finding it hard to imagine a genuine situation where the earth wires were not all needed in a legitimate installation.... but that 'somewhere' might be getting it's (required) earth through a different cable, mightn't it?
I agree that its a bit contrived,but one has to wonder why the regs 'merely' require that a CPC be run 'to each poiint and accessory', rather than simply requiring that every cable must have a CPC.I consider this a bit fanciful. I am finding it hard to imagine a genuine situation where the earth wires were not all needed in a legitimate installation.
On the contrary John ,the metal clips of the decorative, clip on front, connect directly to the metal switch plate,not any plastic . Take a look at the op's picture of the front of the switch plate. The 2 square holes are where the springs connect the decorative front to the switch plate.The irony is that seems to be that it looks as if, were it not for that earth terminal, any 'clip on metal front' (IF there is one) would be separated from anything electrical by plastic
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