Replacing sockets

[mole81]

I'm looking to replace some old plastic face plates, upon removal the old socket has two earth's, two live and two neutrals going to the individual sockets. There is no earth strap going to the metal back box. Can I just replace like for like? The new faceplate has two earth terminals bit assume they are joined so can use just the one? TIA

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[ahfix]

I'm looking to replace some old plastic face plates, upon removal the old socket has two earth's, two live and two neutrals going to the individual sockets. There is no earth strap going to the metal back box. Can I just replace like for like? The new faceplate has two earth terminals bit assume they are joined so can use just the one? TIA

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

No, metal fixings should be earthed. You should have a wire (sheathed in yellow/green sleeving) from the earth terminal connecting to the earth terminal in the back box.

[mole81]

I'm looking to replace some old plastic face plates, upon removal the old socket has two earth's, two live and two neutrals going to the individual sockets. There is no earth strap going to the metal back box. Can I just replace like for like? The new faceplate has two earth terminals bit assume they are joined so can use just the one? TIA

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

No, metal fixings should be earthed. You should have a wire (sheathed in yellow/green sleeving) from the earth terminal connecting to the earth terminal in the back box.

Even with the plastic face plate? Can I just retro fit this if it's missing?

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[aeromech3]

Faceplate screw heads are usually exposed and fix to the metal back box, any loose wire or due cramming a wire comes into contact with metal box then it has a potential as will the screws, sure there are others reasons too.

[mole81]

Faceplate screw heads are usually exposed and fix to the metal back box, any loose wire or due cramming a wire comes into contact with metal box then it has a potential as will the screws, sure there are others reasons too.

Oh right ill get some earth cable then to fix to back box!

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[Rorschach]

Easy enough to earth the back box so you should definitely do it.

[OnlyMe]

I'm looking to replace some old plastic face plates, upon removal the old socket has two earth's, two live and two neutrals going to the individual sockets. There is no earth strap going to the metal back box. Can I just replace like for like? The new faceplate has two earth terminals bit assume they are joined so can use just the one? TIA

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

No, metal fixings should be earthed. You should have a wire (sheathed in yellow/green sleeving) from the earth terminal connecting to the earth terminal in the back box.

The socket screws USUALLY provide the earth for the back box.

[mole81]

I'm looking to replace some old plastic face plates, upon removal the old socket has two earth's, two live and two neutrals going to the individual sockets. There is no earth strap going to the metal back box. Can I just replace like for like? The new faceplate has two earth terminals bit assume they are joined so can use just the one? TIA

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

No, metal fixings should be earthed. You should have a wire (sheathed in yellow/green sleeving) from the earth terminal connecting to the earth terminal in the back box.

The socket screws USUALLY provide the earth for the back box.

So shoukd I run extra earth? Confused!

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[Kev888]

I always would; it makes sure and is only a tiny bit of extra work. Earth sleeving isn't very costly either.

The contact between screw and conductive eyelet around the face-plate hole may not always be the best, especially as it ages or if it isn't done up properly by someone in future. Another vulnerable time is if things have been purposely loosened (say during decorating). Admittedly, problems are unlikely - but IMO why risk them at all?

[mole81]

I always would; it makes sure and is only a tiny bit of extra work. Earth sleeving isn't very costly either.

The contact between screw and conductive eyelet around the face-plate hole may not always be the best, especially as it ages or if it isn't done up properly by someone in future. Another vulnerable time is if things have been purposely loosened (say during decorating). Admittedly, problems are unlikely - but IMO why risk them at all?

Fair comment, where can I buy a tiny length of earth cable and sleeve?

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[Someone-Else]

where can I buy a tiny length of earth cable and sleeve?

Any good DIY store.

(If push comes t shove, buy a bit of Twin and earth)

[mole81]

where can I buy a tiny length of earth cable and sleeve?

Any good DIY store.

(If push comes t shove, buy a bit of Twin and earth)

Thanks :)

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[OnlyMe]

where can I buy a tiny length of earth cable and sleeve?

Any good DIY store.

(If push comes t shove, buy a bit of Twin and earth)

Probably cheaper to but some flex and strip out the earth.

Although I never fit the flylead unless it's on the spec or required for the regs.

[OchAye]

where can I buy a tiny length of earth cable and sleeve?

Any good DIY store.

B&Q Washington (Tyne and Wear) did not have earth sleeve. Balls to that ... but easy enough to get 100m from toolstation WTF.

[mole81]

where can I buy a tiny length of earth cable and sleeve?

Any good DIY store.

B&Q Washington (Tyne and Wear) did not have earth sleeve. Balls to that ... but easy enough to get 100m from toolstation WTF.

I've took advice and replaced the socket with an mk one from screwfix... It's slightly smaller all round that the previous socket and can now seem rough edges... Is this common?

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk