My lighting only has 2 wires going in and out atthe switch.I want to hard wire in a fan using a connection on double light switch.if I connect the fan earth wire to the earth in the switch will it earth.Hope you know what I mean.Just not sure if the lights switches are earthed or not.thanks
t_naki,
Mar 31, 2:17pm
If there is only 2 wires going in and only 2 wires going out then there is no earth at the light switch and therefore no earth to connect to. Sounds like you will need to run a new earth cable from the switchboard earth bar to the new fan.
bexter2,
Mar 31, 2:50pm
lighting doesn't need an earth but the fan does, a new wire is needed
mrfxit,
Mar 31, 3:22pm
The other posters are correct. Note: regardless of how many wires are at any specific modern-ish to modern plastic light switch, there will NOT be an earth wire. Earth wires are ONLY ever used with metal fittings that humans can touch & even then not often used when it comes to lights.
New earth wire to the nearest valid earth point Or New 3 wire cable from switch board to THAT fan OR Buy a plastic encased fan (plastic acts as an auto earth OR Another alternative that some other sparky can come up with OR Forget it
t_naki,
Mar 31, 3:40pm
What! It has been regulations for many years that all points must be wired with a earth, I have no idea where you got the idea that all modern light switches only need a earth if they have metal light fittings. And another note is that if there is an earth cable at the switch then it is required to be connected to a earth, I will give you that it is often not.
You need to take the earth to the main earth bar or a bonding point, not just any old earth as you cannot use the earth from one circuit to earth fittings on another.
Double insulation DOES NOT act as an "auto earth" it places 2 separate levels of insulation to cover any active parts.
Also if you run a new cable from the switchboard then that is a new installation and requires an earth regardless of whether or not the fan is double insulated.
russ18,
Mar 31, 3:55pm
What a load of rubbish!
veecee,
Mar 31, 4:05pm
thank you for your input.I guess it could be plugged into a powerpoint in another room.hassle.
veecee,
Mar 31, 4:11pm
Buy a plastic encased fan (plastic acts as an auto earth ) iS THIS REALLY TRUE MRFIXIT.It is an expelair that will go into a window.
mrfxit,
Mar 31, 4:21pm
LMFAO pedantic "doom & gloom" confusing words from the experts again.
Auto earth = double insulated Valid earth point = main earth bar or a bonding point "New 3 wire cable from switch board to THAT fan" .WT heck's wrong with that idea
"Another alternative that some other sparky can come up with "WELL, at least T_naki came up with some corrections alternative/solutions. Dang site better then Russ18's comments
"Double insulation DOES NOT act as an "auto earth" it places 2 separate levels of insulation to cover any active parts."
Good insulation WILL automatically protectlife from electric shock/shorts Double so for double insulation, whats wrong with THAT concept
OR are you lot going to say rubbish again like "Electrical insulation tape has NO insulation property's"
mrfxit,
Mar 31, 4:25pm
And WHERE did you previously mention WHERE & WHAT fan was being installed.
Sorry MY MISTAKE, I should have consulted Russ18's crystal ball to know what it's all about
mrfxit,
Mar 31, 4:27pm
-1
"f there is an earth cable at the switch then it is required to be connected to a earth, I will give you that it is often not. " OFTEN NOT = thank you t_naki
t_naki,
Mar 31, 4:38pm
Insulation is not an earth, they are pretty much as different from each other as is possible to be. Insulation prevents contact with live parts, earthing acts to trip the protection when afault occurs disconnecting the supply. The point if double insulation is to maintain protection in the case that one level of insulation fails, hence the name double insulated. It is a world recognised standard and used all over the world as a method of protecting appliances and fittings.
I did not say that insulation tape has no insulating properties, I said that it is not recognised as a insulating medium and cannot be used as the only insulation on live parts.
russ18,
Mar 31, 5:00pm
I don't need a crystal ball to recognise nonsense. how do you come up with crap like this:
"Note: regardless of how many wires are at any specific modern-ish to modern plastic light switch, there will NOT be an earth wire. Earth wires are ONLY ever used with metal fittings that humans can touch & even then not often used when it comes to lights."
muzzaandmich,
Mar 31, 5:26pm
welivedin south otago andwanted to install new lights which needed a earth . Only two conductors in cable . Employed reg sparky.who installed lights and Some type of switch circuit breakeronto main switch board Certified and signed consent provided to council now on lim
russ18,
Mar 31, 5:44pm
Sounds like sparky fitted an RCD - they are actually not acceptable as a sole means of protection. but if replacing an existing fitting that also should have been earthed then could argue that nothing has changed and adding an RCD is an improvement, IMO anything other than that would not be ok under current rules.
t_naki,
Mar 31, 6:35pm
That was allowed under previous regs but not any more.
easygoer,
Mar 31, 6:41pm
It was common practice to run lighting circuits in twin TPS except for the living and kitchen end of the house as usually the bedrooms etc were fitted with batten holders and living rooms and kitchens were more likely to have metal fittings installed, I for one always wire with twin & earth because I believe it is good practice
t_naki,
Mar 31, 7:22pm
It is compulsory now that all points have an earth, but that only applies to new work and not to older work. There was previously an exemption for metal light fittings above a certian height as well so older houses that already have metal lights do not need an earth run in if you are replacing like for like. That does not apply to you if you are replacing a batten holder for a chandelier.
ryanm2,
Apr 1, 5:01am
why do you guys argue with mrfixit! He has proven to be a complete idiot with no common sense or regards to electrical regs. That HWC thread a few weeks back proved he/she is way out of their depth and just shows a complete lack of knowledge , displayed again with the first post. No earth wire at modern light switches! Plonker. Double insulation is an auto earth! jesus christ.
captaingraham,
Apr 1, 5:30am
A lot of the comments on here should be seen as a big April Fool joke. The real sparkies will know who I mean.
t_naki,
Apr 1, 6:26am
I feel that you need to reply otherwise some posters with no knowledge may think he is right or think that there is some sort of grey area. At least if he is shown to know nothing at least he won't hurt anyone with his dangerous information.
asa50,
Apr 1, 6:45am
mrfxit wrote: "LMFAO pedantic "doom & gloom" confusing words from the experts again.
Auto earth = double insulated "
I am now completely out of WTF! The doom and gloom experts information makes perfect sense to me (and I am NOT an electrician)
taipan4,
Apr 1, 10:06am
sounds as though poster 1 needs to consult a sparky, & as for mr fixits "auto earth" show me the reg book that has this printed in it. To clarify this ok a lot of appliances these days are double insulated and do not need an earth, BUT"thou shalt not run a new circuit that does not have a green or yellow/green wire in it" and I have come across many lighting ccts in houses where the earths have not been connectedand yes sometimes at light switches but more so with doub ins downlights, this is all very well until someone wishes to hang a light fitting needing an earth and presuming earths are connected at each light fitting
210sback,
Apr 1, 10:47am
what is your occupation mr fix it!(home handy man doesn't count!)
captaingraham,
May 5, 4:43pm
And those unconnected earths do not comply with todays wiring rules.
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