Connecting the earth a STC 1000 temp controller

[floydmeddler]

Hi all,

I've just built a new brewery. However, the electrics in the temp controller box need to be tidied up. One of my main worries is that it isn't yet earthed. Here is the diagram that I've followed:



Can anyone help me work out how to earth this? Or is it necessary?

Cheers!

[Dave S]

Hi all,

I've just built a new brewery. However, the electrics in the temp controller box need to be tidied up. One of my main worries is that it isn't yet earthed. Here is the diagram that I've followed:



Can anyone help me work out how to earth this? Or is it necessary?

Cheers!

If there are no designated earth points on the controller then you don't need to earth it. Just make sure that all earth points on the rest of the equipment is correctly connected to your mains earth.

[floydmeddler]

Cheers. I haven't connected them to any thing as there wasn't anywhere on the controller to put them. So, at the minute, the blue and brown from the freezer and heater go into the controller and the earth has been snipped. What should I do?

Thanks again!

[setmash]

A normal plastic STC doesnt need earthing as it an all plastic enclosure. The freezer will need earthing as it has metal components. I assume the 'snipped' earth is from the freezer mains cable. The mains feed to your controller should contain an earth - if it does not then replace the cable with one that does. Strip the freezer mains cable back to reveal the earth and connect this via a terminal block to the earth on your mains feed. Your heater may or may not need an earth , check its cable feed, if it has an earth then connect it to the same block. If in doubt take a couple of pictures and post them here. Earthing is extremely important, you must do this because if a cable were to come loose the freezer could go live...

[Dave S]

Cheers. I haven't connected them to any thing as there wasn't anywhere on the controller to put them. So, at the minute, the blue and brown from the freezer and heater go into the controller and the earth has been snipped. What should I do?

Thanks again!

You shouldn't snip the earth, just continue it through to anything that requires it - mains sockets etc.

[setmash]

Thats what i meant snip the earth back out of cable insulation...sorry if not clear.

[Steveicky]

The STC1000 unit itself does not need to be earthed But you must earth anything that it is supplying power to Or any metal casing. Take a look at my wiring diagram. It shows the power sockets being earthed but in your case thus will be the freezers original earthing.

[floydmeddler]

Thanks for this lads!

I reckon I can manage that. Will send some pics if I get confused. Will be next week before I get round to it just in case you're worried that I electrocuted myself!

[GrowlingDogBeer]

Yes, I have just connected the earths from the heater and fridge to the earth from the mains. My STC1000 itself isn't earthed.

[Jim]

You can see the terminal block I used for earth and neutral cables on my TC10 (an earlier version of the same controller I think). The terminal block just gives you somewhere to connect the wires that don't need to go to the controller.

[floydmeddler]

Cheers Jim. I like the way you've used cable ties to keep the wires in their places. Will do this too.

[floydmeddler]

All sorted now. Can sleep soundly again.

Cheers lads!