re wiring light switch post

ss wrote in news:VPbEy.1377911$ snipped-for-privacy@fx46.am:

Leave them as they are and make a new wire to go from the switch to the earth terminal.

If you separate them you will have destroyed the earth continuity. Imagine the two wires as a daisy chain.

Thanks derby born.

But ss did not say if either of the wires, hence both of them, is connected to the earth terminal on the back box, just that they were twisted together. Doing the suggested fix might only link the switch to the unearthed box.

Why not just put the two twisted wires into the earth terminal of the switch?

Depending on the age of the installation you might also need to ascertain if these "earth" wires are actually a functional earth. The requirement to provide an earth at light fittings was introduced sometime in the 1960's, prior to this it was not uncommon to find installations where T&E cable was used for lighting circuits but without the "earth" wire being connected to anything.

Also note that just twisting the conductors together does not provide an adequate joint. You need to use a terminal block or Wago connector.

I've got some earth wires used for switched lives. They're handy :-)

Which putting it into the switch's terminal would do.

Surely you'd know by the weight if it was metal or plastic?

But if it has an earth terminal, means it should be earthed.

Yes - but in such installations, it was usual to just cut off the earth wire if TW&E was used. Why would a pro go to the extra effort of connecting it at one end if not at the other?

Anyway, the OP said 1979, so this doesn't apply.

Update: The 2 twisted earth wires I wired in to a block and then connected an earth from the light switch cover to the block also.

YES. Amd after looking at your photo again I suggest that you check the other switches in your house - even the plastic ones.

It seems that the earth in the photo (and from what you have said) are not providing an earth to the metal backbox (an IEE requirement). If one switch is installed that way then there well be more.

What does it say on the dimmer switch?

On the back of the switch at the top?

I assume this is what you mean, it states. "Must be earthed"

And yes I will check the others over the course of the next few days covers & backboxes.

So do we need Sherlock Holmes or an electrician to work out the answer to "I suppose my question is, should the light switch be earthed."?

I need both as I missed the obvious clue :-)

Looking forward to what has been done with the earths on the other switches in your house.

I am not sure why there are only two earth wires in the connector and not 3!

Are you saying ss is a pikey?

Adam, can you explain that please, although there is now 3 after I added one from the faceplate.

As for the other earths just done a quick count and I have 20 chrome types to check out between the kitchen and the lounge. Previous owner owned a lighting company, I wonder if he was an electrician? although I suspect some of this work was done to tart the place up prior to selling when he died and his wife got it done on the cheap.

If I had something to compare it with yes but for me a learning curve.

With hindsight then Yes.