Search the forum,

Discuss Somebody help me please in the UK Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

I'm a kiwi who has worked in the UK.
We drive an earth electrode at every installation and bond exposed metal back to that through the switchboard. It's VERY rare for us to come across copper pipes
My thoughts
If it's exposed metal work( including copper pipework) that has the potential now or in the future to become alive or is in close proximity to cables/outlets then earth bond it. We include stainless steel benchtops in that.
The other question we have to ask
" is it electrically UNSAFE?" yes = bond
 
Bonding something that is not an exposed conductive part nor an extraneous conductive part, is liable to introduce exposure to the fault across larger area than previously was.

If a steel worktop is not extraneous & therefore not bonded, when a person touches a 'live fault' and this unbonded steel workbench, there is no path to earth, and therefore no likelihood of receiving an electrical shock. In the same circumstance, a person touching the fault, and this now bonded steel workbench, they will now receive an electrical shock.
 
Its not uncommon to come across a pipework system where several plastic push on elbows/connectors, or sections of plastic pipe have been installed throughout the system where previously modified (becoming part copper part plastic)!
It would be an electricians worst nightmare to bond each section on the basis that one particular section may inadvertently become live in the event of a fault.
 

Reply to Somebody help me please in the UK Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

Similar Threads

A 'Sunday challenge' for the qualified electricians.... Can anyone explain why a built-in gas meter housing box that is located 600mm above a...
Replies
8
Views
6K
Over the last few days, I have stumbled across a number of threads that seem to point to a prevalent misunderstanding. Either that, or I have been...
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • Locked
  • Sticky
Beware a little long. I served an electrical apprenticeship a long time ago, then went back to full time education immediately moving away from...
Replies
55
Views
6K
Hi All I’m in a bit of a quandary at work and need a couple of things clearing up if poss. I’m the maintenance...
Replies
11
Views
2K
Hi all, I hope you can help me please. I had solar system installed nearly 2 months ago and my installer turned out to be cowboy despite having...
Replies
14
Views
5K

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Electrician Courses Green Electrical Goods PCB Way Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Pushfit Wire Connectors Electric Underfloor Heating Electrician Courses
These Official Forum Sponsors May Provide Discounts to Regular Forum Members - If you would like to sponsor us then CLICK HERE and post a thread with who you are, and we'll send you some stats etc

YOUR Unread Posts

This website was designed, optimised and is hosted by untold.media Operating under the name Untold Media since 2001.
Back
Top
AdBlock Detected

We get it, advertisements are annoying!

Sure, ad-blocking software does a great job at blocking ads, but it also blocks useful features of our website. For the best site experience please disable your AdBlocker.

I've Disabled AdBlock