Electrics Question: Light Switch Earthing for P.I.R
Discussion
I'm confident with building works (being a surveyor!) and building regs, but I tend to leave electrical works and installations to the specialists, however I've got a situation in my own property which I'm unsure of and need some advice over from a sparky ideally.
I need to get an electrical certificate produced for the property (c.1700 thatched cottage) as a requirement of the building insurance - I presume that this will be a P.I.R - {Periodic Inspection?}
The question I have is that the majority of the light switches in the house are surface mounted bakelite jobs (the originals not modern repros) mounted directly onto the wall rather than over a flush box as in most modern properties. As a result there is no metal patress to earth to, and therefore the wiring from the ceiling rose to the switches is twin (with no earth core) and there is no earth in the light switch itself. I am unsure as to how this will be approached by the P.I.R? I presume that since there is no metal patress to earth to the presence of a earth in the wiring is irrelevent? i.e. its safe as is, since bakelite is a no conductor and the switches are without an earth connection?
Could someone advise?
I have recently bought some modern replacement surface moutned switches (bakelite style) which feature no earth terminal either and just rely on you connecting the earth to the patress.
I can't install flush patresses as the walls are whattle and daub and the conservation officer will kick up a stink as chasing out some is not a good option!
I need to get an electrical certificate produced for the property (c.1700 thatched cottage) as a requirement of the building insurance - I presume that this will be a P.I.R - {Periodic Inspection?}
The question I have is that the majority of the light switches in the house are surface mounted bakelite jobs (the originals not modern repros) mounted directly onto the wall rather than over a flush box as in most modern properties. As a result there is no metal patress to earth to, and therefore the wiring from the ceiling rose to the switches is twin (with no earth core) and there is no earth in the light switch itself. I am unsure as to how this will be approached by the P.I.R? I presume that since there is no metal patress to earth to the presence of a earth in the wiring is irrelevent? i.e. its safe as is, since bakelite is a no conductor and the switches are without an earth connection?
Could someone advise?
I have recently bought some modern replacement surface moutned switches (bakelite style) which feature no earth terminal either and just rely on you connecting the earth to the patress.
I can't install flush patresses as the walls are whattle and daub and the conservation officer will kick up a stink as chasing out some is not a good option!
There is no issue with your lighting circuits not having a cpc (earth conductor) as long as you have no metal clad light fittings nor switches or anything else (fans etc) that the circuit serves.
All sundries will need to be class 2 fittings which are symbolised with one square inside another ( although your old stuff wont have that).
The periodic inspection will have a note of it having no cpc and will mention class 2 in the notes.
The tester will make a call as to whether the gear in situ conforms.
I think you may have other issues to fail on such as supplementary bonding (in the bathroom) or lack of RCD protection. (summising) as that is what most properties fail on.
Good luck
All sundries will need to be class 2 fittings which are symbolised with one square inside another ( although your old stuff wont have that).
The periodic inspection will have a note of it having no cpc and will mention class 2 in the notes.
The tester will make a call as to whether the gear in situ conforms.
I think you may have other issues to fail on such as supplementary bonding (in the bathroom) or lack of RCD protection. (summising) as that is what most properties fail on.
Good luck
Thanks for the helpful update guys. I wondered if that was a the case.
If I wanted to update to more contemporary style switches then presumably I could install something like: www.oliverslighting.co.uk (standen) which is double insulated?
If I wanted to update to more contemporary style switches then presumably I could install something like: www.oliverslighting.co.uk (standen) which is double insulated?
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