Earthed Appliance and Non Earth Wire
Earthed Appliance and Non Earth Wire
Author
Discussion

skeeterm5

Original Poster:

4,456 posts

212 months

Saturday 18th December 2010
quotequote all
Hi all,

I am trying to attach a portable radiator to a switch in the wall rather than have a plug and wire trailing around.

I have the 'mains' connected to the back of the switch and then a feeder cable into the room all fitted by an electrian, however it was not for this purpose, The feeder cable is two core with no earth.

Now the question, the radiator has a label on the plug saying it must be earthed. I am using a set of connector blocks, can I simply put the earth from the radiator into the connector block with nothing connected on the other side?

thanks (and hope it makes sense!)

S

davethebunny

740 posts

199 months

Saturday 18th December 2010
quotequote all
it's against the regs to wire anything without an earth cable, with the exception of the bit of wire from a pendant to a lampholder.

If you don't connect the earth and there's a fault in the radiator, then the casing could potentially become live. Then you'll earth it when you touch it and die.

That'll be a nice start to christmas won't it?


Melchett

817 posts

210 months

Saturday 18th December 2010
quotequote all
Is there any other supply nearby where you can run an earth from? A socket perhaps?

smifffymoto

5,186 posts

229 months

Saturday 18th December 2010
quotequote all
Are you connecting to a fused spur on the wall? If you are why not just connect the heater direct and do away with the longer flex.

skeeterm5

Original Poster:

4,456 posts

212 months

Saturday 18th December 2010
quotequote all
Thanks all - pulled the feeder wire out and have now replaced it with a proper bit of 3 core (?) wire so it has an earth init.

Took longer and more fiddly but it works so I guess the moral is do it right to start with!

S