Another bonding question.....

[polo1]

Not quite sure why I'm hesitating over this, but - domestic semi, main service head located in this property, PILC incomer to three 80amp fuses. One services this property, one spare and one for the adjacent semi. The adjacent semi is fed in VIR through a conduit (which I assume is continuous into the adjacent property, but as they are away on holiday I cannot at present confirm). The supply is TNS. Do I bond the conduit serving the adjacent semi - it's not bonded at present. I don't know what the earthing arrangement is for the adjacent semi, as it's only the line & neutral that leaves from the property I'm working in.

If I do bond it, should it also be bonded at the other end? I think I know what I should do, but there's something causing a nagging doubt (and on this occassion, it's not the wife!).

Thoughts/views welcome.

Regards.

 

[Sparky Ninja]

Why are you thinking about bonding it?

Does it provide a 0v reference potential to your installation, if so then bond it.

If it's being utilised as the supply earth to the adjacent building, then that is the concern of the owners of next door.

 

[polo1]

411.3.1.2. Have not carried out EICR yet, just a quick look so far. Think it's the neighbours (as yet unknown) earthing arrangement that causing me to stop and think.

Regards

 

[Knobhead]

Personally I’d leave it alone. Anything happens you’ll be the one getting it in the neck.
The alternative is get the DNO involved, (don’t shoot the messenger).

 

[Mr.Ian]

So will that mean the property next door doesn't have a main cut out/ service fuse ?

 

[Farmelectrics]

enquire to dno for information

 

[tony mc]

So will that mean the property next door doesn't have a main cut out/ service fuse ?

There still should be a cut out fuse at the next door neighbours!

 

[Silly Sausage]

The adjacent semi is fed in VIR through a conduit (which I assume is continuous into the adjacent property, but as they are away on holiday I cannot at present confirm).

Get one of these...
ART Series Fibrescope - Remote Visual Inspection > Flexible Endoscopes - from www.optimaxonline.com
and shove it down the conduit and have a nosey around in next door.

 

[Top Cat]

Don't know if i would like to put that in steel conduit with VIR cables! :-tungsten sheathing for strength and durability. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[oldtimer]

This is quite common to put a 3 phase service head in a house then supply next door or the other 2-3 in the terraced block. I sometimes find a MET henly block beside the fuses . The thing is check the conduit out to see if there are markings on it with regards to a earth block also if you are unsure do a continuity test between the conduit and your earth and then maybe a Ze between your live and the conduit but only if you can prove the continuity test. If you are still unsure then as a courtesy ask the guy next door when he returns if you can test if he has an earth.

Remember this is getting more common as communial water and gas pipes are being replaced with plastic I call this type of thing a borrowed earth where the guy next door or the house you are working on used to get an earth throught the main bonding to the gas water from the adjacent house

 

[polo1]

Thanks guys for the helpful (& unhelpful, but funny) replies. When the neighbour returns next week, I'll get a look-see. The neighbours are on good terms so don't see access as being a problem.
There is an earth block as part of the 3ph head, but there's definitely no seperate earth from here to next door.

Regards.

 

[oldtimer]

Thanks guys for the helpful (& unhelpful, but funny) replies. When the neighbour returns next week, I'll get a look-see. The neighbours are on good terms so don't see access as being a problem.
There is an earth block as part of the 3ph head, but there's definitely no seperate earth from here to next door.

Regards.

As I said this is quite common also approuch the job from the concerned electrician ie you have noticed it and you would like to check it for your own peace of mind I had a similar job and the guy thought I was trying to sell him something so he said he would geta second opinion he did and it was confirmed but I heard he got the guy to fix it he was a bit embarrassed to get back to me.

Mind testing the conduit may help you dont ask me why but in that situation I just do it for my own peace of mind

 

[polo1]

So Oldtimer, is it the Jambos or the Hibees for the cup:45:

 

[oldtimer]

Well my dear old dad was a Hibee but half the family are Jambos me I am a neutral as I never got into football but for the last couple o weeks I have noticed the tension with the Hibs fans and too much confidence with the Hearts fans so its a cup final everything to play for nothing to lose