where to put earth in an all plastic light switch / box

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:01 pm

Hey there, just want to run something past you all...

I'm changing a light switch from a metal one to a plastic one. THe back box is one of those dry lining plastic jobbies.

So I'm going to have nowhere to terminate my earth wire. I was just going to terminate it in one of those connector block things and leave it at that (after sheathing it).

My question: what size block? I've got a 6amp and a 16amp one?

Also, does it matter if you put the neutral / switched live in either the L1 or L2 terminals?

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:51 pm

Hi Andrew,

If there is nowhere to connect the earth then you can put it in a terminal block, it is good to keep it for the future.

Normally you put the Live wire in Com and the switched live in L1

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 7:02 pm

does it matter what amp the block is?

and before i blow myself up, are connector strips and terminal blocks the same thing? it looks like this:
http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/710112
I guess you just cut one off with a stanley knife?

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 7:16 pm

Just use a 5 amp or above.

connector strips and terminal blocks are the same thing

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 7:31 pm

woo hoo, i'll go do it now (with an arc light off the mains, don't worry!) with a little 6amp one! Thanks very much.