Bonding & Minor Works

[m4tty]

Hi,

I thought that bonding had to be checked/upgraded for all electrical work but have just read in Practical Guide to Inspection, Testing and Certification of Electrical Installations by Christopher Kitcher that "It is still permissable to carry out Minor Works if bonding is not present in the installation"

Is that right?

Thanks

 

[Lee321]

yes matty

imagine going to a job where a switch plate has broken and needs changing

 

[green-hornet]

This is where a lot of confusion sets in with interpretation of the regulations.

As lostit has said some minor works would not warrent bonding upgrade, and any previous edition of the regulations would only mean a code 4 under any PIR.

You would have to satisfy that the work you have completed does not in any way make the installation any less safe than how you find it.

 

[Chr!s]

My understanding was that any work that falls within the scope of minor work then reg 131.8 applies, esc have some good guidance on this.

regards chris

 

[green-hornet]

My understanding was that any work that falls within the scope of minor work then reg 131.8 applies, esc have some good guidance on this.regards chris

Very true, and this is why you have to be satisfied that the previous edition is still up to or adequate to the job.

Which is why a 6mm or 4mm main bond may still be suitable for the job, given your assessment and testing of the supply characteristics and fault currents.

If it passes these tests then there is no need to upgrade any bonding.

 

[Andy™]

Hi,I thought that bonding had to be checked/upgraded for all electrical work but have just read in Practical Guide to Inspection, Testing and Certification of Electrical Installations by Christopher Kitcher that "It is still permissable to carry out Minor Works if bonding is not present in the installation"

Is that right?

Thanks

i normally go by why the work is being done

if its due to failure of a part, replace/repair as required

if its because they want it replaced / new sockets etc (i.e something more decorative etc), then bonding/RCD's etc need done

 

[PC Electrics]

Hi,I thought that bonding had to be checked/upgraded for all electrical work but have just read in Practical Guide to Inspection, Testing and Certification of Electrical Installations by Christopher Kitcher that "It is still permissable to carry out Minor Works if bonding is not present in the installation"

Is that right?

Thanks

Does Mr Kitcher give a definition of what he considers to be "minor work" in this instance?

The term "minor work" seems to get used quite a lot and different people seem to mean different things by it.

 

[Risteard]

It can only be done if the lack of bonding will not affect the safety of the work done. If the safety would be affected by a lack of bonding then you could not proceed without rectifying the bonding. You must also make observations about the bonding on the MEIWC if appropriate.

 

[a1spark]

Ive not read that particular publication m4tty, is it endorsed by the IET or is it Mr Kitchers Personal take on the matter ?

 

[m4tty]

Does Mr Kitcher give a definition of what he considers to be "minor work" in this instance?The term "minor work" seems to get used quite a lot and different people seem to mean different things by it.

It's on page 113 bottom line if anyone else has got this book. It's in the certificate section of the book explaining how to fill out meiwc or mwc as it's known as. So I believe he is referring to all work which is covered by a minor works certificate.

The wording exactly is

confirmation of bonding: has bonding been installed ? If not, this should be pointed out to the client and identified in the comments section of the certificate it is still permissible to carry out minor works if bonding is not present in the installation

the book is not endorsed by iee just his opinion a1 cheers

 

[binky]

Changing a broken socket would not require MWC, however IMHO if it needs a cert, then some appraisal of the bonding is required. You can't however force customers to have it upgraded if required, but would certainly need to comment on cert for your own sake. If bonding was completly absent I would seriously consider not doing the job without improving the situation, as this has been an essential part of EEBAD/ADS for many years. If bonding is present but pehaps undersized to todays regs, then again it is better improved, but must certainly be mentioned on cert and brought to customers attention. Suggest you have a good read of the many bonding/earthing posts on this forum and form an informed conclusion you can live with - it's your name on the cert!!

 

[kme]

With Binky here, on the proviso that we`re discussing main bonds, NOT supplementary.

If main bonding is not present at all, then provision of the works would depend on:

a. the exact nature of the works.

b. the customer`s response to my information regarding the lack of bonding.

If they were not happy to have main bonding installed, the least they would get, whether I did the works or not, would be an electrical danger notice. If I did do the works, it would be a notification on the cert., AND a danger notice.

I know a few of you would disagree about the necessity for the danger notice, but I have covered my rear end, AFAIAC.

KME