Bonding outside

[Jon Bridges]

I have to bond to a gas meter which is outside. The run to the CCU is about 20 meters around the house. Rather than installing conduit is there a problem with running 2 core 6mm swa, or even 4 core 2.5mm?

Any thoughts gratefully received.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

You could run an unsheathed conductor, a sheathed conductor or an SWA conductor.
Why would you want to run a multi-core cable?
Is it something you have knocking around?

 

[Jon Bridges]

I was thinking multi core because SWA doesn't come in single core.

So in theory I could run 10mm single core in black rather than the swa. I just want to avoid the look of green and yellow and the hassle of the conduit.

 

[sjm]

Just as a thought would it not be easier to bond the gas supply at the point of entry to the property?

 

[Deleted member 26818]

I was thinking multi core because SWA doesn't come in single core.

So in theory I could run 10mm single core in black rather than the swa. I just want to avoid the look of green and yellow and the hassle of the conduit.

As far as I'm aware, single core SWA, doesn't come any smaller than 16mm², and only BAC appear to produce that.
However, sheathed single core cable, is available in as far as I'm aware, all the normal sizes.
I must admit, I would not normally consider SWA for use as a bonding conductor, as termiation will be a hassel.
Sheathed cable will require the ends to be identified, as in the main it only comes the inner core coloured brown and blue.
The same would apply to an un-sheathed conductor of any colour other than G/Y.

 

[Octopus]

Shame there isn't some 10mm double insulated green & yellow (with a black) outer for situations like this..... or is there?

 

[Jon Bridges]

Unfortunately not, it comes in under the carpet in the communal hall, therefore there would be no way of knowing it was there in the future, plus its not a maintenance free fitting.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Unfortunately not, it comes in under the carpet in the communal hall, therefore there would be no way of knowing it was there in the future, plus its not a maintenance free fitting.

Are there any branches in the pipe work befor it becomes accessible in the dwelling?

 

[Jon Bridges]

I'm not sure, I can check. I assume your about to say that providing there are no branches I can bond where it becomes accessable. In this case I think its still easier to bond from outside because of the location of the CCU.

At the property Im bonding the gas and water for 2 flats. Can they share the bonding cable to the gas, as the meters are right next to each other?

 

[Deleted member 26818]

I'm not sure, I can check. I assume your about to say that providing there are no branches I can bond where it becomes accessable. In this case I think its still easier to bond from outside because of the location of the CCU.

At the property Im bonding the gas and water for 2 flats. Can they share the bonding cable to the gas, as the meters are right next to each other?

Yes that is exactly what I was about to suggest.
Yes they can, depending on the circumstances.

 

[Engineer54]

Yes that is exactly what I was about to suggest.
Yes they can, depending on the circumstances.

What circumstances would they be??

 

[Deleted member 26818]

What circumstances would they be??

Where the supplies to each flat are taken from the same main.
Such as could be the case where a house has been converted into flats.

 

[Engineer54]

Isn't it still a requirement that each individual dwelling unit, should have it's own bonding connections to any services that enter that dwelling unit??

 

[Deleted member 26818]

No, never has been.
the requirement has always been to equipotentially bond any extraneous-conductive-parts, that may introduce a difference in potential.
If you equipotentially bond everything as it enters the building, what would be the point in running a conductor from each dwelling back to the intake?
To my mind it would be no different to running a bond from your kitchentaps, your gas fire or whatever.

 

[Engineer54]

Well, ....every flat that i've ever been in, has had it's own bonding cables to it's MET or CU, these were purpose built apartment buildings mind, not converted houses.
Not being a domestic, and having little to do with domestic installations as such, i took it that this was the norm, but your saying different!!

EDIT... I didn't say the bonding cables had to go back to the point of building entry, i said as the service pipes entered the Dwelling/apartment/flat.