Earth from outside supply. Quick question

LeeJ · Jan 14, 2015

Hello all ! Hope your all well.
Just a quickie

Am I ok to change the earth wiring that comes from the outside supply ?

Getting a new front door fitted tomorrow and the currant wire goes across and needs extending .

Im not a sparky or trainee

Many thanks

Marvo · Jan 14, 2015

The regulations about the size of the earthing and bonding wiring changed a while back. If this is a house that is not new you'd probably be better getting an electrician to disconnect and replace the wiring so it meets the new higher safety requirements.

Also disconnecting earthing or bonding wiring on an electrical installation that is live is absolutely forbidden. The earth is functional and can have a considerable current flowing through it so even the earth wiring you're disconnecting can give you a shock large enough to kill.

Finally it's not acceptable to have joints in the earthing and bonding wires because it is such a critical part of the electrical system and is the difference between life and death when there's a fault.

I'd strongly urge you to get an electrician to assist you with this, if you give your location there may be one of our experienced members local to you.

LeeJ · Jan 14, 2015

Many thanks Marvo.
Im in the Blackburn area of Lancashire if you know a good one ?

Marvo · Jan 14, 2015

I'm in Cape Town so it's a bit far for me but maybe one of the other members will post a reply here if they're local to you.

LeeJ · Jan 15, 2015

Good Lord !!
Didn't realise this site was so international !

Many thanks anyway

Marvo · Jan 15, 2015

Don't panic, nearly all the forum members are somewhere in the UK.

Bobster · Jan 15, 2015

Marvo said:
Finally it's not acceptable to have joints in the earthing and bonding wires because it is such a critical part of the electrical system and is the difference between life and death when there's a fault.

Not quite, you can joint it, however I wouldn't like to see it.