Alternative retro fit earth tag options for SWA?

[YanniPap]

I'm working on a system that has been installed incorrectly. It's a 3ph Hager board with 8 swa cables glanded into the bottom entry panel. The install is fine except the earth tag (banjos) haven't been fitted and they have relied on the metal plate as an earth. My question is, can you get a retro fit earth tag or "all in one solution" to earth all of these glands safely without disruption? Im aware of earth nuts but they would still need disconnection of circuits so I was hoping to find another alternative if anybody has any suggestions?

 

[LeeH]

Using the rings is not a prerequisite, paint can be ground off, serrated washers or nuts can be used. Is the armour being used as a CPC? It’s it connected to ground at the field end, what is the make up of the gland plate? Is it a continuous piece of metal or is it held on by 4 small screws? What tests have you done on the SWA? Just a visual?

You have not provided enough information really

 

[YanniPap]

Using the rings is not a prerequisite, paint can be ground off, serrated washers or nuts can be used. Is the armour being used as a CPC? It’s it connected to ground at the field end, what is the make up of the gland plate? Is it a continuous piece of metal or is it held on by 4 small screws? What tests have you done on the SWA? Just a visual?

You have not provided enough information really

Sorry, here's some more information.

• Hager 3ph board with removable plate held by 6 screws
• Armoured cable is relied on for CPC
• The other end is connected to air con units that are also not earthed

No tests have been carried out as im aware the plate can be removed and then all earthing is lost so I am on the hunt for some form of earth that can be attached to the glands without full disconnection and removal of glands. Also the standard banjos won't fit due to the length of them so I cannot rely on them as a solution

Thanks

 

[LeeH]

Cannot you just disconnect 1 at a time? Only takes a few mins to fit a nut and flying lead.

 

[LewisM]

Nut and bolt a 10mm earth from the bar to the plate I would be happy with that myself

 

[YanniPap]

Nut and bolt a 10mm earth from the bar to the plate I would be happy with that myself

This is something I thought about but I'm unsure if it's actually within the guidelines. I can't personally see an issue with it other than they are all sharing the same earth path briefly but if sized correctly I would imagine it was okay

 

[suffolkspark]

Cut a slot out of a banjo, loosen locknut, slide around, flatten, and nip back up, run fly leads ive done it before and ill do it again

 

[YanniPap]

Cut a slot out of a banjo, loosen locknut, slide around, flatten, and nip back up, run fly leads ive done it before and ill do it again

 

[LeeH]

Nut and bolt a 10mm earth from the bar to the plate I would be happy with that myself

I would have only suggest that if the paint was ground off or washers fitted.

 

[LeeH]

Cut a slot out of a banjo, loosen locknut, slide around, flatten, and nip back up, run fly leads ive done it before and ill do it again

That will work! A little sketchy but sounds worse than it is.

 

[DefyG]

The Wiska E-Nut ones might do the job!

Tap to zoom

Wiska COMBI E-NUT M25 Earthing Nuts (1x M25) With Earth Leads & Screws Brass - E-NUT25​

Quick Find Code: E-NUT25
Free Delivery on orders over £35 (excluding Highlands and Islands)

• 1 x M25
• Material brass
• Earthing nuts (single) for COMBI Junction Boxes, with earthing lead
• Sold in packs of 5

 

[DefyG]

Ive used 20 and 25mm not sure if they go larger?

 

[suffolkspark]

The Wiska E-Nut ones might do the job!

Tap to zoom

Wiska COMBI E-NUT M25 Earthing Nuts (1x M25) With Earth Leads & Screws Brass - E-NUT25​

Quick Find Code: E-NUT25
Free Delivery on orders over £35 (excluding Highlands and Islands)

• 1 x M25
• Material brass
• Earthing nuts (single) for COMBI Junction Boxes, with earthing lead
• Sold in packs of 5

Thats pretty cool, i may grab a bag for the van!

 

[YanniPap]

That will work! A little sketchy but sounds worse than it is.

I've opted to leave the them installed and add a second lock ring with a banjo that's slightly bent up. A slottable earth plate for scenarios where you cannot disconnect would be a great idea however if it doesn't already exist

 

[LeeH]

The Wiska E-Nut ones might do the job!

Tap to zoom

Wiska COMBI E-NUT M25 Earthing Nuts (1x M25) With Earth Leads & Screws Brass - E-NUT25​

Quick Find Code: E-NUT25
Free Delivery on orders over £35 (excluding Highlands and Islands)

• 1 x M25
• Material brass
• Earthing nuts (single) for COMBI Junction Boxes, with earthing lead
• Sold in packs of 5

Do they just clamp onto the remaining thread? a great and simple idea.

 

[YanniPap]

The Wiska E-Nut ones might do the job!

Tap to zoom

Wiska COMBI E-NUT M25 Earthing Nuts (1x M25) With Earth Leads & Screws Brass - E-NUT25​

Quick Find Code: E-NUT25
Free Delivery on orders over £35 (excluding Highlands and Islands)

• 1 x M25
• Material brass
• Earthing nuts (single) for COMBI Junction Boxes, with earthing lead
• Sold in packs of 5

I did think about these but you would still have to fully disconnect (which I have done anyway now ) so the issue is sorted but now I'm just wondering if there's an actual solution to this issue going forwards when the circuit cannot be disconnected. Doesn't appear to be

 

[DefyG]

Yes just clamp on, and ideal for the OP's scenario

 

[DefyG]

I did think about these but you would still have to fully disconnect (which I have done anyway now ) so the issue is sorted but now I'm just wondering if there's an actual solution to this issue going forwards when the circuit cannot be disconnected. Doesn't appear to be

No they are split, so can and I have used for exact same scenario you are describing without disconnecting.

 

[MJPD29]

The Wiska E-Nut ones might do the job!

Tap to zoom

Wiska COMBI E-NUT M25 Earthing Nuts (1x M25) With Earth Leads & Screws Brass - E-NUT25​

Quick Find Code: E-NUT25
Free Delivery on orders over £35 (excluding Highlands and Islands)

• 1 x M25
• Material brass
• Earthing nuts (single) for COMBI Junction Boxes, with earthing lead
• Sold in packs of 5

Never seen these before. Clever invention

 

[nicebutdim]

Never seen these before. Clever invention

SWA have been making them for years. Pricey, but convenient at times.

 

[Simon47]

How topical.
I was in <somewhere> only today and the subject of earthing came up - there being a fairly substantial earth ring for the systems being tested, but a requirement for a separate earth for other facility equipment off a different supply. And as I looked down at a metalclad socket with SWA in and out, there was a flylead from one banjo to the other (outside of the box) that didn't go into the socket itself.
I commented on this, and was told that the nut inside is designed to scrape the paint off as you tighten it - so the socket is earthed via that. It wasn't the right moment to "discuss" things further, but I was thinking that if they work then no need for the flylead, and if there's a need for the flylead then not much confidence that they do work.
But, one of the people I was with commented on how on a different installation there was a distribution board with "many" cables in it - and the installers had put the nuts the wrong way round. Apparently they were "rather unhappy" at having to pull every circuit in order to turn the nuts over.

 

[mainline]

SWA have been making them for years. Pricey, but convenient at times.

The ones for Wiska boxes are very good and Imo is the only way to do a decent job, as it also adds some support to the glands when using this type of box.

 

[davesparks]

SWA have been making them for years. Pricey, but convenient at times.

Do you have a link to the SWA version?

 

[loz2754]

Just be aware that with this type of earthing gadget, you tighten the clamping screw down on the threaded part of the gland, which may cause some damage to the threads.
In other words you may be screwed if the screw screws the screw...

 

[mainline]

Just be aware that with this type of earthing gadget, you tighten the clamping screw down on the threaded part of the gland, which may cause some damage to the threads.
In other words you may be screwed if the screw screws the screw...

The glands do use the thread of the Wiska box, which does give them some strength.

The other alternative is to do a dogs' ear of it and banjo outside, nut and bolt and compress the plastic box to within an inch of its life

 

[DPG]

The glands do use the thread of the Wiska box, which does give them some strength.

The other alternative is to do a dogs' ear of it and banjo outside, nut and bolt and compress the plastic box to within an inch of its life

The OP has a metal enclosure with metal gland plate though doesn't he? And question is around not having to disconnect all the cables to fit an earth banjo/nut

 

[mainline]

The OP has a metal enclosure with metal gland plate though doesn't he? And question is around not having to disconnect all the cables to fit an earth banjo/nut

The ops question had already been answered with M20 E Nut.
My post was being informative as some hadn't seen that type of kit before.

You can also get E springs, which maybe of interest to the OP.

Wiska COMBI E-Spring M25 Earthing Springs (1x M25) With Earth Leads & Screws Steel - E-SPRING25

Brass earthing spring M25 suitable for WIB Enclosures & COMBI

www.ledbulbs.co.uk

 

[nicebutdim]

Do you have a link to the SWA version?

I'd never heard of Wiska e-nuts, so googled them yesterday and the link I clicked showed a piranha type of nut.

Did the same today, as I was surprised at you asking for a link, and saw very different results. I never seen anything similar and don't imagine SWA sell them.

 

[DefyG]

I thought I posted a link in my reply #11 but it was just the description. The link below is for the E-Nut that can easily be retro fitted to already terminated cables.

Wiska COMBI E-NUT M25 Earthing Nuts (1x M25) With Earth Leads & Screws Brass - E-NUT25

Brass earthing nut M25 suitable for WIB Enclosures & COMBI

www.ledbulbs.co.uk