PFC Water & Gas Bond Testing

[smithjim0001]

Hi All

I want to clear some bits up as i have been picked up on them and feel a bit stupid

1 ) To do my PFC test leaving all earths in block and all breakers on including the main switch i place an earth clip over the earth block and with that place the neutral probe.

I then place the live probe into the live of the main double pole switch and take the reading.

2 ) I then place earth clip over earth block place neutral into main dp and live into live main dp and take reading highest of these two is the pfc. ( Been told thats wrong )

Also told my test for main water and gas bond is wrong any one want to tell me their way.

 

[sparkytim]

Normally only need 2 wire test lead set for PFC

One lead to Earth and other to Live for first test, One to Nuetral and other to Live for other, and yes highest of two recorded.

For main bond test use wander lead to bonding point DISCONNECT one end of bond and test continuity, make sure zero out wander lead first.

 

[a1spark]

Hi AllI want to clear some bits up as i have been picked up on them and feel a bit stupid

PEFC

1 ) To do my PFC test leaving all earths in block and all breakers on including the main switch i place an earth clip over the earth block and with that place the neutral probe.[ no. you place the neutral probe onto the neutral incomer of the main dp]

I then place the live probe into the live of the main double pole switch and take the reading.

PSSC

2 ) I then place earth clip over earth block [ no place earth clip on to neutral incomer of main dp ]...place neutral into main dp and live into live main dp ] and take reading highest of these two is the pfc. ( Been told thats wrong )

Highest reading is indeed the PFC.

Also told my test for main water and gas bond is wrong any one want to tell me their way.

wander lead from disconnected bond at c.u to pipe under test

 

[Brian 157]

When testing PSC/PFC with 3 lead tester the "Earth" probe goes to N for PSC & E for PFC. Neutral is to make the meter work so can go to N or E (easiest to bunch with E).

Would agree with a1spark for bonding test, definitely not the method an old sparks (he'd be 75+ now) told me about... Take a length of single with an in-line fuse from mains to pipes, if the fuse blows the bonding's good enough!! Crude but effective (& potentially lethal to any plumbers on site)!

 

[kme]

Neutral is to make the meter work so can go to N or E (easiest to bunch with E).

:yellow card Where do you find that as an approved way of connecting your tester then?

Take a length of single with an in-line fuse from mains to pipes, if the fuse blows the bonding's good enough!! Crude but effective (& potentially lethal to any plumbers on site)!

:yellow card :yellow card

Can we just point out for all those who need verification - DO NOT DO THIS!

KME

 

[a1spark]

When testing PSC/PFC with 3 lead tester the "Earth" probe goes to N for PSC & E for PFC. Neutral is to make the meter work so can go to N or E (easiest to bunch with E).Would agree with a1spark for bonding test, definitely not the method an old sparks (he'd be 75+ now) told me about... Take a length of single with an in-line fuse from mains to pipes, if the fuse blows the bonding's good enough!! Crude but effective (& potentially lethal to any plumbers on site)!

YIKES ! Brian mate . I notice you say he" d be 75+ now....is he still with us or...did he die a sudden death ?.....if so I wonder why ?

a1spark.

 

[kme]

ROTFWL

 

[sanny]

Normally only need 2 wire test lead set for PFCOne lead to Earth and other to Live for first test, One to Nuetral and other to Live for other, and yes highest of two recorded.

For main bond test use wander lead to bonding point DISCONNECT one end of bond and test continuity, make sure zero out wander lead first.

I would disconnect at the CU and test to the main gas/water pipe this will ensure there is a good connection to the pipe! reading should be within 0.05 ohms remember the maximum length of a 10mm main protective bonding conductor is 27 metres

 

[Brian 157]

YIKES ! Brian mate . I notice you say he" d be 75+ now....is he still with us or...did he die a sudden death ?.....if so I wonder why ? a1spark.

As far as I know he's still with us, it came up in a conversation about changing practices. To be fair to him he wasn't suggesting that people do this & with hindsight recognised it as unsafe, but it was how he was taught to do it as an apprentice (when he knew no better)...