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Shock Likelihood at Switch.

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Mornin' All,


I have just inspected and tested a renovated  old flat's wiring. The original lighting wiring in places has no circuit protective conductor. The owner has installed metal plate light switches to two positions with wooden back boxes. At these two positions there is no circuit protective conductor. The flat has a new R.C.B.O. consumer unit and all other wiring is good.


I have recommended that the switches have a C.P.C. installed (difficult and disruptive) or be changed to all insulated types.


Just what is the shock risk at these two switch positions? What is the likelihood of the metal plates becoming live due to a fault? Has anyone every seen a metal plate switch break down so that the plates becomes live?


Thanks,


Z.

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  • 0
    What we have here is, IMHO, simply a difference of opinion.


    I'd be interested in JP's view, but a Court would be interested to know (from an expert such as JP) what the range of reasonable opinion might be.


    As I have said above, "if" is a very good word to use - lawyers use it.


    So if a switch plate is not earthed, and if a live conductor comes into contact with it, and if somebody touches it ... my opinion is that there is a greater/less than 50% risk of ...


    I would suggest that a compliant installation is presumed to be safe, but it is up to the responsible person to show that a non-compliant one is safe in the event of a disaster.
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  • 0
    What we have here is, IMHO, simply a difference of opinion.


    I'd be interested in JP's view, but a Court would be interested to know (from an expert such as JP) what the range of reasonable opinion might be.


    As I have said above, "if" is a very good word to use - lawyers use it.


    So if a switch plate is not earthed, and if a live conductor comes into contact with it, and if somebody touches it ... my opinion is that there is a greater/less than 50% risk of ...


    I would suggest that a compliant installation is presumed to be safe, but it is up to the responsible person to show that a non-compliant one is safe in the event of a disaster.
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