bonding

[avinalarf]

Have upgraded CU, main earthing and bonding to gas so all 17th compliant. Bonding to water is only 6mm, but have done tests and readings are ok.

Have informed client that bonding needs to be upgraded to 10mm to comply, but they don't want me tearing up their bathroom (all fitted units!) to get to water main.

What do I do in this instance? Is this classed as a departure from BS7671?

Cheers

 

[Apache]

I don't know the answer but I'm sure it will be 'just note the departure on the certificate and provide the homeowner with the recommendation to upgrade bonding in writing'

But I may be wrong

 

[spinlondon]

What is the size of the earthing conductor for the system?

Is the sytem TNCS/PME?

 

[Apache]

What is the size of the earthing conductor for the system?Is the sytem TNCS/PME?

If it's the one from the other day it's PME (now)

 

[spinlondon]

Should be 10mm

 

[Andy™]

Should be changed to 10mm

 

[green-hornet]

The customer does not want you to do the work and you are held by their wishes.

Just note it on the certificate and you will be fine.

Thats what all the little boxes are for, when you can not comply because of client restrictions.

You have verified the connection, and the readings are ok, so you have done as much as you can under the circumstances.

 

[Andy™]

6mm

 

[sparkyork]

yeah its a pain in the arse the bonding lark!! nowt but problems, is it a plaggy water main? if so it may be worth doing the test from met to metal work as well... it may not even need a bond.

 

[avinalarf]

Thanks everyone for all your helpful answers.

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

As this is exsiting bonding that you cannot replace..

although your readings are fine I would also double check the condition of the earth clamp connection is good and sound..

Has it got the warning label?

i.e. some clamps can get a bit manky around the pipework..

and warning label can fall off if it wasn't fitted securely in the first place.

Personally I would probably remove any old clamp..

clean around the pipe and stick a new clamp on..

it ain't going to break the bank putting a new clamp & label in place.

and then if anyone was coming to inspect you work they could at least see visually that you have a good connection even though CSA smaller to old regs.

Guiness Drink

 

[avinalarf]

As this is exsiting bonding that you cannot replace.. although your readings are fine I would also double check the condition of the earth clamp connection is good and sound..

Has it got the warning label?

i.e. some clamps can get a bit manky around the pipework..

and warning label can fall off if it wasn't fitted securely in the first place.

Personally I would probably remove any old clamp..

clean around the pipe and stick a new clamp on..

it ain't going to break the bank putting a new clamp & label in place.

and then if anyone was coming to inspect you work they could at least see visually that you have a good connection even though CSA smaller to old regs.

Guiness Drink

Can't even see the clamp SL . Don't know how they'd get to the mains if they had a problem with the water 'cos the cupboards surrounding it are all fitted!

 

[wozz]

i thought the reg was worded something like as close 'as practically possible,? Therefore bond it as close as you can and do a continuity test to where it enters the building?

 

[green-hornet]

i thought the reg was worded something like as close 'as practically possible,? Therefore bond it as close as you can and do a continuity test to where it enters the building?

Fundementaly you are correct, it should be within 600mm of incoming on the user side, this figure is only a guide and is based on the fact of uniformity ie all electricians would know where to bond and find bonding for pir's

and this would most probably be before any branches off the main supply.

However every bond should be accessable for inspection and testing, and this means that some times the bonding will have to be placed at a distance greater than 600mm hence the phrase as close as practically possible.

Remember the regs are a guide that should be followed as close as possible but are not law.

It would be good practice to make a note on your certificates I find it stops inexperianced electricians who carry work out on the property after you from calling you names.

 

[Andy™]

dont forget, if its soldered on, it doesnt need to be accessible.... but if its not accessible, you dont know its soldered unless its noted somewhere

 

[SuperSwift]

What you on!!!!!!!!!soldered to pipe work never heard such BS i think you had better stop adding this post andyc:z:z:z:z

 

[green-hornet]

What you on!!!!!!!!!soldered to pipe work never heard such BS i think you had better stop adding this post andyc:z:z:z:z

In the days where electricians where thought of has craftmen we used to solder bonding to services as part of our trade.

Take for example chrome radiators in bathrooms with

 

[SuperSwift]

:z :z:z:z

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Well I don't know what other Schemes are like but...

so far the NIC man has ALWAYS.. and I repeat ALWAYS..

wanted to see the bonding connection to GAS & WATER at EVERY installation of mine that he has inspected!!

And as an earth clamp (unless soldered as Andy C example) involves a screw terminal..

really it needs to be found and made accessible..

Maybe even cut an access hole in the back of a cupboard is required?

?:| :|

 

[green-hornet]

Well I don't know what other Schemes are like but...so far the NIC man has ALWAYS.. and I repeat ALWAYS..

wanted to see the bonding connection to GAS & WATER at EVERY installation of mine that he has inspected!!

And as an earth clamp (unless soldered as Andy C example) involves a screw terminal..

really it needs to be found and made accessible..

Maybe even cut an access hole in the back of a cupboard is required?

?:| :|

You are correct and those main bondings always have to be available for inspection and testing.

My answer above was for supplementary bonding which continuity could be checked by testing and if soldered does not need to be available for inspection or testing. It is more cosmetic for bathrooms in that the horrible green and yellow cable does not need to be on show.