My Book Has Been Withdrawn.

[David Cockburn]

Hi All,

I didn't come on this forum to discuss one of my books, which I withdrew from circulation some time ago, I came on here to discuss the fact that I recently received an electric shock from an un-earthed central heating radiator (something that the IET and others had claimed wasn't possible under the 17th edition). I wanted/want to discuss this with regards to the wording of the EAWR regulation 8, which remains the law at present, because it was when I put earthing in terms of the EAWR on the IET forum that they banned me and locked my threads... they simply had no answers.

Should regulation 8 be changed?

At present you and I are still liable if somebody is seriously hurt!

 

[Blue Duck]

Get an eicr done

 

[David Cockburn]

What's an EICR?

 

[Blue Duck]

How is the radiator Un earthed? have you no bonding to water or gas?

Eicr - electrical inspection condition report

 

[Sharpend]

What duck is saying is that you require a competent electrician who can thoroughly test you installation including bonding, supp bonding etc. They will then advise you as to the improvements required toake your installation safe and compliant.

 

[Richard-the-Ninth]

It stands for Electrical Installation Condition Report. As I understand it, its when an installation (house / property, not 100% sure on that bit) is checked to see if it is safe along with any recommendations / upgrades required.

 

[David Cockburn]

Isn't it easier to earth the radiator, see which MCB trips and go and find the fault yourself?

It (the radiator) was un-earthed as it was fed via plastic pipes.

 

[Sharpend]

If you are so inclined! But then you wouldn't be asking on here would you??

 

[Andy™]

im not surprised the book is now out of circulation, since the author of it clearly doesnt understand what he is writing about. maybe i should do a book on quantum physics, we all know im an expert at that...

 

[David Cockburn]

Well at least no-one is denying it's possible to get a shock from a radiator this time, thats a step in the right direction.

So what do you all think about regulation 8?

 

[Andy™]

and maybe this is more appropriate for this thread...

Well at least no-one is denying it's possible to get a shock from a radiator this time, thats a step in the right direction.

So what do you all think about regulation 8?

your right, no-one is denying it cant be live, but the simple fact is, it being live is caused by a fault that needs fixed. simply earthing everything is not the way to go about it

 

[Blue Duck]

So a radiator with plastic pipework must be in direct contact with another live conductor to be live?? Therefore the fault should be fairly easy to find and rectify?

 

[Sharpend]

Wouldn't your questions be better directed at those responsible for writing the eawr?

We could agree or disagree all day and it will not change the EAWR.

 

[David Cockburn]

Oh that's ineresting, how do you go about finding and rectifying a fault without earthing in place?

And no the radiator wasn't in direct contact with anything live.

Sharpend,

The idea is to drum up support amoungst the masses, I can't think of a better place to start.

Blue duck,

I suppose the conductor would be the rusty water in the system.

Come on Andy, 

I honestly can't think of an easy way to find a fault without having earthing in place, please discuss.

 

[Andy™]

you go about finding the fault by calling a competent electrician, who has enough knowledge & experience of electrical systems to be able to find the fault... simple, really

 

[David Cockburn]

Andy,

That isn't discussing, forgive me but that reply is a bit of a cop-out.

 

[David Cockburn]

I know that there is a world shortage of copper (and that this may well be the real reason why earthing has been cut to the bone), but does anybody know if there is a world shortage of aluminium?

 

[Sharpend]

So your argument for a change in the EAWR is because rusty water is the conductor in plastic pipes of a wet central heating system?

 

[Blue Duck]

I'd be calling a plumber and asking for a power flush

 

[Andy™]

Andy,

That isn't discussing, forgive me but that reply is a bit of a cop-out.

no, its not a 'cop-out'. Any Electrician will be able to find out what the problem is. Anyway, since your a 'time served 5 day wonder' you should already know how to fault find, and know enough about earthing to write a book. oh, wait, never mind