How how to bond existing in ground pool?

[Vortigern]

I don't understand the reference to DC from your person who inspected the situation.

 

[Wilko]

My take on this is that you are experiencing results from voltage difference between the pool and its surroundings. This should not exist if all was well. The fact that it exists indicates all is not well. Without knowing exactly what it is I can’t really advise how to fix it, but I do know there is always the possibility that things degenerate and become worse, so I wouldn’t use the pool until you are happy the cause is found and fixed.

Perhaps confirm the light is 12V and is supplied by an isolation transformer?

 

[pc1966]

My suspicion is this is a TN-C(S) supply and that the supply earth is seeing several volts of neutral drop, especially if it is rural. However, it might be worse, a TT system without an (functioning) earth rod and the pool is becoming the route for all leakage!

Can the original poster put up some photos of the power supply arrangement and main panel/fuse box so we can guess?

The other thing not mentioned by the OP by raised by @Megawatt is the supply to the pool electrics has to be on a RCD/GFCI. Might as well confirm this while other things are being discussed.

In terms of earth bonding to the concrete then it might well be simpler to just drill and insert some rods at each corner in the USA-style. But as @Mike Johnson says if it has rebar in there, that would be a very good earthing system if attached at any point that can be accessed (assuming without too much difficulty).

 

[SteB88]

Not sure how to find the thread, but the guy who made that video is Mike Holt. His Youtube channel is a mine of information on this subject, albeit from a US perspective.

I couldn't find the video you were referring to, so tried searching Google. It seems that video has been made private - probably to stop people repeating his experiment.

watched allot of his vids already, thanks for the tip.

 

[SteB88]

My take on this is that you are experiencing results from voltage difference between the pool and its surroundings. This should not exist if all was well. The fact that it exists indicates all is not well. Without knowing exactly what it is I can’t really advise how to fix it, but I do know there is always the possibility that things degenerate and become worse, so I wouldn’t use the pool until you are happy the cause is found and fixed.

Perhaps confirm the light is 12V and is supplied by an isolation transformer?

We actually disconnected the light as the first thing to check and be sure it was not the cause. Issue still there though

 

[SteB88]

My suspicion is this is a TN-C(S) supply and that the supply earth is seeing several volts of neutral drop, especially if it is rural. However, it might be worse, a TT system without an (functioning) earth rod and the pool is becoming the route for all leakage!

Can the original poster put up some photos of the power supply arrangement and main panel/fuse box so we can guess?

The other thing not mentioned by the OP by raised by @Megawatt is the supply to the pool electrics has to be on a RCD/GFCI. Might as well confirm this while other things are being discussed.

In terms of earth bonding to the concrete then it might well be simpler to just drill and insert some rods at each corner in the USA-style. But as @Mike Johnson says if it has rebar in there, that would be a very good earthing system if attached at any point that can be accessed (assuming without too much difficulty).

Attached some pics of the fuse boards we have. the run is House > Garage > Pool.
How do i check RCD/GFCI? keeping in mind I'm not an electrician

About earthing the Rebar.. can this actually do any harm or make things worse? wondering if to just get someone to give it a go and see, but then i'm worried it might make a different issue.

 

[SteB88]

I don't understand why bonding at all four corners is required, all the reinforcing bars in the concrete are connected to each other with tying wire, I would have thought one connection would be sufficient, conveniently in the pit, but then your are reliant on the pool being constructed correctly, if not then even four rods may not do it, but I would try connecting in the pit before going to the expense and work of putting in four rods.

Makes sense, thanks for the feedback Mike.

 

[SteB88]

I don't understand the reference to DC from your person who inspected the situation.

Nor me, but i checked once again and its clear written in his very short report that he gave back to the pool company. Would share but its not in English.

 

[pc1966]

Attached some pics of the fuse boards we have. the run is House > Garage > Pool.
How do i check RCD/GFCI? keeping in mind I'm not an electrician

More detailed photos might help!

It looks as if there are RCD at each of the boards, but it is not really possible to say from that level of detail. However, it all looks reasonable quality equipment so I would imagine so.

About earthing the Rebar.. can this actually do any harm or make things worse? wondering if to just get someone to give it a go and see, but then i'm worried it might make a different issue.

Electrically, no.

However, I have no idea of the risk of causing physical damage to the pool arising from trying to access it!

If you are sure there are no buried service pipes or cables around the pool it might be safer to put in rods at the corners beyond the concrete area. Typically rods have to be deep to be effective, say 2-3m, and often they are in 1.2m segments that can be screwed together as they are driven in.

If you are unsure about buried stuff and are willing to dig down manually (and with care in case you do meet something) then by time you have dug a post-sized hole to around 1m down you are probably clear of any buried service cables & pipes.

Here are a couple of UK suppliers of earthing stuff, more from a lightning protection point of view:

Earthing Archives - Kingsmill Industries

kingsmillindustries.com

Home

A.N. Wallis is the number one supplier for all your earthing, lightning protection and surge protection equipment.

www.an-wallis.co.uk

 

[pc1966]

Incidentally if putting in a ring of conductor around the pool you generally can and should bury is a bit under the surface, less likely to get noticed/stolen and contributes better to the earth conductance. At the corner rods you can have inspection pits to access the wire and rod fixing bolt, etc.