Optima Xm Wiring Query

[datadiffusion]

Spacker in, spacker out I suppose...

[arfur mo]

Yeah, not really a good idea to remove those wires.

A shock from any of them terminals could kill.

Also noticed the panels earth wire is cut off which isn't good either, not to mention the missing tampers on the zones and bell...

plastic case, so there is no onward connection of the earth wire after the fdu in the panel, so earth not being connected makes no difference, effectively a twin could be used.

Not pretty, the earth wire seems cut short into the outer insulation, some insulating tape wrapped around it at least would not go amiss.

this thread shows the need for a spur close to panel and properly marked up imho, but how often do you see it?

[sixwheeledbeast]

True, but if its a placcy case and OP doesn't know what they're doing, perhaps best left undisturbed

 

Last time I checked a plastic case doesn't make an item Class II. There's an earth terminal there for a reason.

[sjsturner]

Last time I checked a plastic case doesn't make an item Class II. There's an earth terminal there for a reason.

Not only that but the cable feeding it should have an 'earth' and not be just twin as arfur suggests.

[Rulland]

The 'earth' or cpc-circuit protective conductor, is there for a major reason, more so than the live conductors, ie live AND neutral, it does what it says on the tin, It protects the circuit, no matter wether its actually connected at the class two fitting/double insulated item or not, the earth of all three conductors is the most important for correct operation of protective devices-always carry it through in all wiring even if it's not required.

[datadiffusion]

Why are we all assuming it isn't connected at the FCU end (if its even got an FCU, mind)?

 

There is clearly nothing connected to the other side of the earth terminal... so apart from bad

practice, i.e. I would never terminate a cable in this manner even if it was double insulated,
how is this going to benefit the installation?

[Rulland]

DD my post wasn't intended to be a 'swipe' at anyone, purely suggesting that a 'cpc' be continued whether or not it is required by the final connected item.

If the supplying cable is compromised, the earth provides the return path for fault current, and operates the protective device, it's not a guaranteed 'get out clause' but it's much better than no earthing at all.

[datadiffusion]

Totally agreed - and I'm sure it wasn't, my point was simply that encouraging tinkering with

mains by suggesting a problem, is prob not a good move being the OP (presumably)

isn't qualified.

[sjsturner]

DD my post wasn't intended to be a 'swipe' at anyone, purely suggesting that a 'cpc' be continued whether or not it is required by the final connected item.

.

This is what my post was inferring also.

Why are we all assuming it isn't connected at the FCU end (if its even got an FCU, mind)?

There is clearly nothing connected to the other side of the earth terminal... so apart from bad

practice, i.e. I would never terminate a cable in this manner even if it was double insulated,

how is this going to benefit the installation?

Does beg the question though, rough unterminated earth. Whats the supply end like?

[datadiffusion]

Again agreed, the lack of bell and device tamper gives a clue...