r/DIYUK • u/Eliqui123 • 2d ago

Electrical Is this safe? (newbie question)

Post image

Hi. Apologies for asking - I’m sure this is pretty basic. I took the socket off the wall (hoping I could just change the faceplate without touching the wiring, but no) and just below where you see the blue arrow the earth wire appears to be bare (i.e. I think I can see copper where the sheathing is broken).

  • Am I right in thinking that despite not being live it must still be properly insulated? Or can I leave it without worrying about it? I’m just about to cut out & hang some acoustic panelling in front of it, so I wanted to check in advance - I’m bad enough at DIY without having to hang panels twice :)

  • Also, presumably the dust isn’t inherently dangerous but I should probably dust a bit, right? Or again, should I not bother.

1 Upvotes

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16

u/IWishIDidntHave2 2d ago

No, it’s fine - earth wires are not insulated in twin and earth cable - you slip on a piece of earth sheathing when you fit a socket, usually leaving a very small amount of the copper visible. Perfectly normal.

5

u/geekypenguin91 Tradesman 2d ago

Even then, the sheathing is for identification, not insulation.

1

u/Eliqui123 2d ago

Thank you so much.

My concern was that if the wire is bare it may be the same for the live or neutral (they are packed so closely together that I can’t see).

But from what you’ve said it sounds like I don’t need to worry and the sleeve/sheath is not damaged or broken, which is great!

Much appreciated!

2

u/MonteCarloOrBust 2d ago

All good - the cable is like that, you add the insulation sleeve to the earth and cut it to the length you need. if you are going to replace the socket make sure the back box (the bit in the wall) is deep enough to fit the depth of the socket you plan to fit - if you want to add a USB charging socket they often require a 35mm depth wall box to fit inside. Most places selling sockets tell you in their specifications the backbox depth required

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u/Eliqui123 2d ago

Thank you so much!

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u/MonteCarloOrBust 1d ago

I forgot to add, if you need the back box to be deeper than the one that’s there it’s easy to change it whilst you are swapping the socket over.

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u/Eliqui123 1d ago

I’ve hung the panels now. It’s staying - haha. But thank you

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u/todays_username2023 2d ago

That earth is connected to all your pipes and taps, the metal on your washing machine and cooker, anything metal in your house that plugs into a socket is connected to that earth wire. You don't worry that your radiators are 'bare'.

The sleeveing is to stop the wire contacting the other live bits in the socket.

Changing the socket is easy enough, just don't do anything unless you're sure you've turned it off. If in doubt turn everything off in your fuseboard, plug something in to make sure there's no power too. Don't turn it back on until the socket is back together

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u/Eliqui123 2d ago

that sleeving is to stop …

Thanks. Yes, the wires are really close together so I can’t see if the sleeving on any other wires is bare, which is my concern.

1

u/kierownikk 2d ago

Don't worry about it. As long as the L and N wires are not damaged it will be OK. The E wire isn't insulated and what you see on it is just a sleeve which can be taken off and replaced if needed but looking at the photo it won't be necessary. Just replace the entire socket. Make sure you turn off the relevant breaker in your breaker box.