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Consumer Unit Blanking Plates

Former Community Member over 3 years ago

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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0 Zoomup over 3 years ago

Qbit:

Chris Pearson
Precisely: the fixed lug is used to earth the box via the screws. Any metal front at risk will be earthed by the screw and/or internal design connection. I.e. significant effort to ’deadfront’.
We can't rely on a socket fixing screw for a reliable earth connection to its back box, as it might come loose with socket use. Also, is a metal back box sunk into a wall an “exposed conductive part?”
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0 Zoomup over 3 years ago

Qbit:

Chris Pearson
Precisely: the fixed lug is used to earth the box via the screws. Any metal front at risk will be earthed by the screw and/or internal design connection. I.e. significant effort to ’deadfront’.
We can't rely on a socket fixing screw for a reliable earth connection to its back box, as it might come loose with socket use. Also, is a metal back box sunk into a wall an “exposed conductive part?”
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Consumer Unit Blanking Plates

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