Equipotential bonding

[c.boy]

The regs may not be the law, however you would have to prove that any design that was installed without using BS7671 regs was safe. Fine if you are a qualified designer but very hard I would have thought for a lot of us.
Because BS7671 is non statutory then you cannot be prosecuted for not complying with the regs. However you could be prosecuted under the EAWR which is statutory law. In the abscence of comprehensive design criteria the only defence for you to prove a safe installation, is to follow BS7671, and prove you have followed it.

As a warning, a mate of mine (NIC approved contractor) was called out to a job, by a plumber, about a month ago. It was an older property with suspect wiring (old rubber IIRC).
The plumber was originally called out because the owner had boiling water coming out of the mains cold tap in the kitchen. Being fairly clued up the plumber put a clamp meter around the mains pipe to the tap. There was 40 AMPS!! being put through the mains pipe from the dodgy wiring. It was heating the water to boiling point!!
Guess what? being an older property there was no Equipotential Bonding.Thank god the plumber knew what he was doing and didn't touch the pipework.

Brought home the importance of ME bonding to me!!

Am not saying dont earth the pipework all a was saying is that if your readings meat the 17th edition regs !! then surely the 6mm should be fine!!!a think by the time we get to the 18th edition we will be running 16mm earths and more earths to individual circuits!!! a think they go a bit o.t.t at times personally!!!!

 

[flukey]

Yes you are right the regs are a non statutary document.

However the Electricity at work ACT is and it does say in there ( arround chapter 6 i think)if you comply with BS7671 then you will comply with the ACT.

Therefore due to that wording if you do end up infront of a man in a wig you have to prove you complyed with the current BS7671 therfore complying with the Electricity at work Act and so complying with the Health and Safety Act. If you cant you may have a "Bunkie called Bubba who likes a late night cuddle"

hahaha thats top quality scots, couldnt put it better myself

 

[c.boy]

Hi

A think alot of you kind of got on your high horse about the regs there!!!lol But my original ????? was that if the guy tested the bonding conductors!!!! and they were below .05 ohms and!!!then installed rcbos to every circuit then that might sort out his problem!!! the regs is just a guide.... fact! but some fools take it as a bible!!!!they know the regs but cant wire a plug!!!! really annoying!!!!

A know a few gaffers that know the regs inside out, but have little experience on the tools!!! they know everything(or claim too lol), but they would be bloody dangerous on the tools!!! a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing!!!

 

[EddieB]

Anyway Lads
I lifted the floor and installed 2 new 10mm cables,I didn't know my original question would raise so much debate, good to talk aint it it?

 

[saveloy]

Hi

A think alot of you kind of got on your high horse about the regs there!!!lol But my original ????? was that if the guy tested the bonding conductors!!!! and they were below .05 ohms and!!!then installed rcbos to every circuit then that might sort out his problem!!! the regs is just a guide.... fact! but some fools take it as a bible!!!!they know the regs but cant wire a plug!!!! really annoying!!!!

A know a few gaffers that know the regs inside out, but have little experience on the tools!!! they know everything(or claim too lol), but they would be bloody dangerous on the tools!!! a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing!!!

As you have just proved.

 

[scotsparky]

Hi

A think alot of you kind of got on your high horse about the regs there!!!lol But my original ????? was that if the guy tested the bonding conductors!!!! and they were below .05 ohms and!!!then installed rcbos to every circuit then that might sort out his problem!!! the regs is just a guide.... fact! but some fools take it as a bible!!!!they know the regs but cant wire a plug!!!! really annoying!!!!

A know a few gaffers that know the regs inside out, but have little experience on the tools!!! they know everything(or claim too lol), but they would be bloody dangerous on the tools!!! a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing!!!

C.boy the regs are more than a guide and they can be used against you in law so be carefull!. As for relying on RCBOs for protection not a good idea get the good Zs eadins and MEB low readins and then add rcbos remember RCD protection is supplimentary . As for your mentioning using 6mm instead of 10mm for a MEB do you really know why they use it?

 

[c.boy]

C.boy the regs are more than a guide and they can be used against you in law so be carefull!. As for relying on RCBOs for protection not a good idea get the good Zs eadins and MEB low readins and then add rcbos remember RCD protection is supplimentary . As for your mentioning using 6mm instead of 10mm for a MEB do you really know why they use it?

A was only responding to a members ??, a use 10mm everytime although its sometimes a pain to upgrade it must be done!!!!!!a work for a local council and they are very clear on rules and regs!as my first response said (just for arguments sake!!!!!) if he did keep the 6mm and get his readings low enough ,rcbo every circuit do you think that would be ok???? thats all am not saying dont follow the rules but as ave said before the regs are a guide not law!!!

 

[123brez]

im only a trainee but my gaffer uses 10mm for the gas earth and 6mm for the cross bonding and bathroom rad dont quote me though

 

[scotsparky]

123 Hes right!

 

[markythesparky]

i was under the impression that 10mm for incoming services was correct, 16mm for MEB but dependant on live conductors and 4mm for mechanically unprotected supplemetary bonding. You can use 2.5mm if its protected mechanically.

 

[scotsparky]

i will double check when i look at the BRB

 

[flukey]

i was under the impression that 10mm for incoming services was correct, 16mm for MEB but dependant on live conductors and 4mm for mechanically unprotected supplemetary bonding. You can use 2.5mm if its protected mechanically.

im with you mark

 

[scotsparky]

oops your right Reg 544.2