Advice needed on unconnected earth wire.

[Michael Lammas]

Hi all.

Apologies of this is in the wrong place.

I am looking for some advice. I had a new consumer unit in 2016 which is fine however I have just noticed an earth wire coming out of the bottom which isn't connected. I'm not sure if I has always been this way or not?

There is another earth wire running along the top connected to some piping so I'm not sure of that's why this one isn't connected?

Any advice would be appreciated. Didn't want to call an electrician and waste someone's time if it's not an issue plus if it just needs putting back somewhere I can do that.

 

[DT1991]

At first glance that's your Earthing conductor?

 

[Michael Lammas]

At first glance that's your Earthing conductor?

So it should be connected then?

 

[westward10]

As above there is every chance that is the earthing conductor so yes contact an electrician to investigate.

 

[Michael Lammas]

As above there is every chance that is the earthing conductor so yes contact an electrician to investigate.

Is there not some way that I could find out where it should be and just reconnect it? Seems like a waste of someone's time just to come out and connect a wire.

 

[Strima]

Looks like the earthing conductor, also the head looks like TN-S sorted quite recently as that braid looks very clean.

Do you have any certification for the work carried out?

Get an electrician in to confirm.

 

[westward10]

Is there not some way that I could find out where it should be and just reconnect it? Seems like a waste of someone's time just to come out and connect a wire.

It will not be a waste of someone's time at all.

 

[Charlie_]

Very important that you get that cable connected back up asap.

 

[Gary latto]

I'm in mist of learning to hopefully get my 18th this year so correct me if I'm wrong but shouldn't the bonding be before any joints on pipework and within 600mm of meter

 

[westward10]

I suggest you do not touch the bare end nor the shiny braided part as you may be exposed to the risk of electric shock. Call an electrician.

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

Wow, someones made a boo boo there

 

[Pete999]

You may want to contact the DNO electricity supplier for advice, as it looks lie the Electrician that fitted your New CU has left the L and N Tails as well as an Earthing conductor and the DNO meter fitter ignored it, without seeing the complete installation it's hard to decipher, seems as though the DNO hasn't provided an MET Main Earthing Terminal, shoddy in my book, call them as a matter of urgency, the meter fitter want's Castrating without an anaesthetic, and with a blunt knife, for leaving it like that. Was mothing sai at the time of connection? or did the meterman leave his brains in the van, if he had any to start with. shocking work.

 

[Charlie_]

Then all the cables need to be secured properly to prevent anything coming loose and floating round

 

[Dustydazzler]

I knew there was something I forgot to do...….

 

[Dustydazzler]

It also looks like the electrician left in a right old hurry as he left his drill , drill bits and screws behind…..

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

Any chance of stepping back and taking a wide angle shot of the lot

 

[Pete999]

I knew there was something I forgot to do...….

I gave a funny Chaz, but it's hardly a joking matter is it, mot having a dig appreciate the humour in the reply

 

[Michael Lammas]

It also looks like the electrician left in a right old hurry as he left his drill , drill bits and screws behind…..

Those would be my tools in the under stairs cupboard. The work was done in 2016 so I would be worried if the electricians tools were still there!

 

[littlespark]

Was that a consumer unit fitted by “the boiler people”?
That kind of explains it.

The disconnected earth wire needs to be connected to the MET, main earth terminal, which in turn is connected to the suppliers earth.
I advise that you contact whoever changed the CU to find out why it wasn’t connected, and your supplier to ask the same thing.
You could connect it yourself, if you can see where it should go.... but an electrician would be able to say if it’s actually doing what it’s supposed to once connected.

It doesn’t appear to have any termination screw markings, which suggests it’s never been connected to anything.... rather than just falling out a loose screw.

It is a matter of urgency you have this investigated by a professional. You may not have an earth protecting your property if there were to be a fault.

 

[DT1991]

Edited my message out because as stated dont know who is responsible.

 

[Red Tony]

If you don't know any sparky friends or family then you must bite the bullet and get a sparky out. Wouldn't be a lengthy job and you'll know you'll have a safe install once he susses what's what. As previously mentioned it looks like main earthing conductor protecting your property not connected.
You say you had new CU in 2016? If it is main earth and not a supplementary......go put the lotto on.
Please keep us updated.....
PS could you take wider screenshot photos as it might make more sense from a distance. It looks like your water is bonded but not your gas?

 

[Charlie_]

@Pete999
Who me?
Mistaken identity me thinks

 

[Charlie_]

I gave a funny Chaz, but it's hardly a joking matter is it, mot having a dig appreciate the humour in the reply

@Dustydazzler

 

[Pete999]

@Pete999
Who me?
Mistaken identity me thinks

Losing it big time sorry folks, hope it aint what I think it may be. cuz it's getting worse

 

[goasis]

Let's be honest, you're not worried about wasting someone's time, you're worried about spending money!!

 

[Rpa07]

Wow, someones made a boo boo there

There are a ton of these around and for a long time as well - last one I did it wasn’t connected for 20 odd years and the earthing was via pipework bonding. Zs of 2.70 ohms with bonding going down to 0.24 or so when simply connected!
Agree though that you do need to call the same spark if possible and see the shade of red on their face.
As Pete picked up though, that earth braid looks sparkling new so maybe some DNO work but as Littlespark came back - that earth conductor end has never been squeezed!
As Toyah once sang “it’stha mysthery oh it’stha mysthery”!
Looks as though that braid goes to that Henley block which it makes even easier for a connection and test.

 

[ipf]

PS could you take wider screenshot photos as it might make more sense from a distance. It looks like your water is bonded but not your gas?

Maybe connected....but not bonded to anything of note by the looks.

 

[Markyd]

FOR GODS SAKE....AND HOPEFULLY THE LAST TIME....GET AN ELECTRICIAN OUT NOW

 

[DC-backfrom the past]

seems this is common. I got called out last week and asked if this was normal by a couple who selling a relatives house. the new meter was put in a few years ago. must be a new type of wireless earth connection as well

 

[dmxtothemax]

earthing systems are complex with many variables involved,
not to mention lots of rules and regulations,
don't guess or take anything for granted,
get a proper electrician in to check everything
in relation to your earthing,
that way you can be ensured it is safe and code worthy.