Earthing :S

[Dantheman]

Hi, is it a regulation that you only have to have the bathroom light, gas and water earthed? Also is it a regulation that you have to have every light that has a metal fitting earthed? Instead of having them earthed can you have them protected by a RCD?

Thanks

 

[jedisparks]

No, NOT ONLY those
Yes, unless it is double insulated.
I wouldn't.

 

[telectrix]

gas and water bonded. every metal fitting must be earthed, unless marked as class II with the double square symbol. RCD is additional protection and is not to be used as an excuse not to earth fittings.

 

[Risteard]

However the cpc (earth) must be brought to every point in the wiring, regardless of construction of the accessory.

 

[topquark]

However the cpc (earth) must be brought to every point in the wiring, regardless of construction of the accessory.

Isn't that only for newly installed wiring?

 

[Risteard]

Isn't that only for newly installed wiring?

The Regulations don't distinguish between new and old wiring.

 

[telectrix]

The Regulations don't distinguish between new and old wiring.

but some years ago it was common practice to install lighting circuit without a cpc, being compliant with the regs. at that time. class II fittings and switches were used. today, on a PIR this would entail a code 4. with notes on the PIR and on the CU.

 

[topquark]

I'll spell it out in full next time

 

[Risteard]

but some years ago it was common practice to install lighting circuit without a cpc, being compliant with the regs. at that time. class II fittings and switches were used. today, on a PIR this would entail a code 4. with notes on the PIR and on the CU.

Regardless what the "Best Practice Guide" from the ESC states I will never attribute a category 4 deviation to a circuit with no cpc. The Wiring Regulations make no mention of their label for an unearthed lighting circuit so it is their policy rather than the JPEL/64's.

 

[telectrix]

it would only warrant a code 2 if class I fittings had been fitted, or was, in the tester's opinion, unsafe. there are thousands of properties with this type of installation, been working safely for 40+ years.

 

[topquark]

Regardless what the "Best Practice Guide" from the ESC states I will never attribute a category 4 deviation to a circuit with no cpc. The Wiring Regulations make no mention of their label for an unearthed lighting circuit so it is their policy rather than the JPEL/64's.

What code would you give it on an PIR then ?

 

[Risteard]

At least a 2 - requires improvement.

It should also be pointed out that automatically declaring an installation with a category 2 deviation "Unsatisfactory" is an NICEIC and NOT an IET requirement.

 

[topquark]

At least a 2 - requires improvement.

It should also be pointed out that automatically declaring an installation with a category 2 deviation "Unsatisfactory" is an NICEIC and NOT an IET requirement.

Thanks, good to know. I'd always been told that anything 2 or above was deemed unsat. I hadn't appreciated that was an NICEICism.

 

[Risteard]

I should add that it is not for me to say that it is wrong for an Inspector to decree it a category 4 deviation because ultimately a Periodic Inspection relies on the judgement of the Inspector. Two different people may well come to two different conclusions.

 

[topquark]

I should add that it is not for me to say that it is wrong for an Inspector to decree it a category 4 deviation because ultimately a Periodic Inspection relies on the judgement of the Inspector. Two different people may well come to two different conclusions.

Sure, fair comment, but all input is good input