Supplementary Bonding in bathrooms

[SparkJ]

Does anyone have a English translation for 701.415.2 relating to Supplementary Equipotential Bonding in rooms containing a bath or shower?

Assuming that I have 30ma RCD protection for all circuits within the bathroom and that there is no metal waste pipe or accessible metallic structural parts of the building in the room does it mean:-

No Supplementary Equipotential Bonding is required for bathrooms that have copper piping

or

No Supplementary Equipotential Bonding is required for bathrooms that have push fit piping

or none of the above and something else entirely different

 

[green-hornet]

A simple continuity test across hot and cold water pipes answers all your nightmares.

Each copper pipe in the bathroom when tested for continuity should have a reading of less than 0.05ohms.

Anything outside this value would require supplementary bonding.

 

[Adrian]

no bonding required if all circuits have rcd protection

 

[Andy™]

no bonding required if all circuits have rcd protection

unless high/no continuity as per GH's post above

 

[binky]

Under new regs no bonding required, supplementary protection being supplied by RCD.

 

[Andy™]

Under new regs no bonding required, supplementary protection being supplied by RCD.

701.411.3.3 - additional protection by RCD (not supplementary)

701.415.2 (iii) - if there is no continuity then bonding is required

 

[a1]

no bonding required if all circuits have rcd protection

unless high/no continuity as per GH's post above

And disconnection times can be proved.

 

[Andy™]

And disconnection times can be proved.

the list just goes on...

 

[Blue Fox]

Just a quick thought on this, what about enamled steel baths? Do these need supp bonding if an rcd is fitted if there is no continuity between taps? I ask because I have one and when I put it in I used those flexible hoses to the taps so no earth continuity, so I bonded the bath to the copper pipework, not come accross this anywhere else since as most people seem to have plastic baths now but just incase I do.

 

[green-hornet]

Just a quick thought on this, what about enamled steel baths? Do these need supp bonding if an rcd is fitted if there is no continuity between taps? I ask because I have one and when I put it in I used those flexible hoses to the taps so no earth continuity, so I bonded the bath to the copper pipework, not come accross this anywhere else since as most people seem to have plastic baths now but just incase I do.

Yes most of them I have bonded have a 6mm holed tab on one or more of the cast legs to bond to.

Unless you have at least 1.5 mtrs of plastic pipe between. Then you do not need to bond otherwise you may raise the potential when there is none.

 

[Blue Fox]

Thanks for the reply, just a confirmation, if the plastic hose is less than 1.5m then it DOESN'T need bonding - have a read that right?

 

[green-hornet]

Thanks for the reply, just a confirmation, if the plastic hose is less than 1.5m then it DOESN'T need bonding - have a read that right?

No the plastic piping has to be 1.5mtrs or above.

The boffins have calculated that the conductive properties in plastic pipes are equal to the general conductive properties under short runs, but over 1.5 mtrs this conductive propertiy is normally less. If you then bonded the bath for instance you will raise the potential above what would be expected there.

So if tested and you get readings of say 0.001ohms then bond the bath you may get a reading of 0.05ohms raising the potential which would not be required or advised.

Sorry its a little late but I hope I have explained it clear enough.

 

[rainydays]

I had one yesterday with a metal bath.

There was continuity between the hot and cold supply pipework all copper. Continuity between the pipework and sink/bath taps.

There was a section of the enamel chipped from the bath exposing the cast iron but i did not get continuity to this.

There was also a seperate copper waste from the sink and bath with no continuity between the waste`s. I had continuity between the sink pipework and sink waste though.

I understand that if the part is metal but you do not get continuity between then you are supposed to test between a known earth and the metal part in question using an insulation resistance tester set to 500 volts. If the reading is less than 0.02mΩ then supplementary bond

 

[Zeespark]

Less or more than 0.02ohms rainy?

AndyGuiness Drink

 

[rainydays]

500/.02 = .025 showing that a current of 25mA would flow between the conductive parts. On a single phase this would of course be half of this value .012amp. The no let go threshold

 

[Apache]

Less or more than 0.02ohms rainy?AndyGuiness Drink

Zee means you need to bond if the resistance is MORE than 0.02 ohm not less

The vet thinks anyways. :|

 

[rainydays]

If the resistance value is 0.02mΩ = (20,000Ω) or greater, no supplementary bonding is required. If less than 0.02mΩ, supplementary bonding should be carried out

 

[spinlondon]

So if there is great continuity then you have to supplementary bond, if there is poor continuity, you don't?

 

[Andy™]

So if there is great continuity then you have to supplementary bond, if there is poor continuity, you don't?

opposite. if there is good continuity, why do you need to improve it

 

[spinlondon]

My point exactly.

What is the answer?

Rainydays states:

"If the resistance value is 0.02mΩ = (20,000Ω) or greater, no supplementary bonding is required. If less than 0.02mΩ, supplementary bonding should be carried out."

So if there is poor continuity 0.02mohms or greater, no supplementary bonding is required. If the continuity is good less than 0.02mohms, supplementary bonding should be carried out?