Metal back box Earthing?

[123hotchef]

Do metal back boxes still need to be earthed?
I know with plastic light switches its normal to put the earths into the box connection.
But do the socket back boxes still need a jumper wire from sockets to box? Or do the screws do this job now?

 

[Robotstar5]

The screws normally provide the connection, but it's worth checking as some manufacturers don't have bonded screw holes.

 

[Sam0117]

I always back bond, just as a rule of thumb, yes some socket do indeed cause the bond from the face plate to the back box but once you remove those screw the bonding is gone, I just think it’s best practise so even if someone changes the faceplate they should also put the bonding in too.

 

[dobbslc]

I think if one of the lugs on the box is fixed it's ok to leave the fly lead out.

 

[Mark 5]

Do metal back boxes still need to be earthed?
I know with plastic light switches its normal to put the earths into the box connection.
But do the socket back boxes still need a jumper wire from sockets to box? Or do the screws do this job now?

It's a reg interpretation on what is or isn't exposed, it's an earthing tail not a jumper wire.

It's certainly good practice to do so imo, regardless.

 

[brightspark]

I think if one of the lugs on the box is fixed it's ok to leave the fly lead out.

correct the only time you need to earth the back box is if its a surface metal one or grid switches

 

[123hotchef]

the existing back boxes had fly leads on them.
I am sound proffing the room and moving them forward 10".
I thought that the faceplates did this job now and was not going to fit new fly leads to the socket back boxes.

 

[brightspark]

the existing back boxes had fly leads on them.
I am sound proffing the room and moving them forward 10".
I thought that the faceplates did this job now and was not going to fit new fly leads to the socket back boxes.

 

[brightspark]

they serve no purpose and the back boxes arent exposed. so why add more work when your doing hundreds of them

 

[Welderpaul]

they serve no purpose and the back boxes arent exposed. so why add more work when your doing hundreds of them

You're not an Instagram/TikTok over-the-top perfectionist then

 

[brightspark]

You're not an Instagram/TikTok over-the-top perfectionist then

nupe i do work to high standards and customer satisfaction but if its not needed it doesnt get done

 

[123hotchef]

they serve no purpose and the back boxes arent exposed. so why add more work when your doing hundreds of them

I agree mate, I wondered why the existing were done thats all. Though stuff might have changed with new regs. But no.

 

[Welderpaul]

I agree mate, I wondered why the existing were done thats all. Though stuff might have changed with new regs. But no.

John Ward did a vid on You Tube about earthing back boxes, all in his usual dry manner.

 

[Welderpaul]

Hey Brightspark, another question about things that go bang. Do smoke alarms need to be on their own breaker?

 

[Mark 5]

Hey Brightspark, another question about things that go bang. Do smoke alarms need to be on their own breaker?

if you mean protective device and wired,
yes.

 

[brightspark]

Hey Brightspark, another question about things that go bang. Do smoke alarms need to be on their own breaker?

no they used to be but if there is a local fire on a particular aeria the cables wont be damaged if fed from elswhere , so best put on the local lighting supply but still interconnected

 

[123hotchef]

John Ward did a vid on You Tube about earthing back boxes, all in his usual dry manner.

whos he

 

[brightspark]

whos he

a well respected electrical engineer who posts on u tube .spells it out no frills or spills

 

[123hotchef]

i will have a google later

 

[123hotchef]