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Consumer Unit Blanking Plates

Former Community Member
Former Community Member

It is conceivable that a loose live conductor could come into contact with a metal blanking plate.  Some of the twist-on  types do not make electrical contact with the (earthed / powder-coated) case in which case they thus constitute exposed conductive parts.  This means that they should be individually earthed. But there is no means provided to do do this.  So the question is: does the use of metal CU blanking plates contravene the Wiring Regulations if fitted but not earthed?

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    And to confuse matters some clip on front covers for sockets are not earthed either…

     

    Now, if we accept a metal CU on TT without an all insulated RCD before it (and I do not like it but many do) then we are assuming the live wire off that makes something live without ADS, condition is rare enough to be acceptable. So the same folk should be happy with that.

    It would be better if the CU makers masked off the paint on the back where the clips go, but in many designs the whole front relies on a screw heads on paint to earth it anyway.

    Mike.

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  • 0

    And to confuse matters some clip on front covers for sockets are not earthed either…

     

    Now, if we accept a metal CU on TT without an all insulated RCD before it (and I do not like it but many do) then we are assuming the live wire off that makes something live without ADS, condition is rare enough to be acceptable. So the same folk should be happy with that.

    It would be better if the CU makers masked off the paint on the back where the clips go, but in many designs the whole front relies on a screw heads on paint to earth it anyway.

    Mike.

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