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Wall sockets and switches

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  • Ectophile
    Ectophile Posts: 8,315 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    jhe wrote: »
    sorry to hijack your thread cubbybear but can i ask krisdorey why circuits would have the earths cut back in the 1st place,i am just curious as a house i bought had no earth wires, electricians never answered me when i ask them why.

    Up to about the mid 1960's, lighting circuits were generally just live and neutral, because everybody had plastic light switches and plastic light fittings. So it didn't matter and saved on copper.

    As for why the earth might be cut back - it's because some people can't be bothered to do things properly. When faced with a three core cable and only two terminals, they just cut off the earth, because it's easier.
    If it sticks, force it.
    If it breaks, well it wasn't working right anyway.
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