No earth on ring main.

[Rockingit]

What would be a more profitable venture Trev would be some big brother style eye in the sky that throws a custard pie at every silly 'sparky' that thinks they can go diving in first, and test second.

Inspect, test, do, test again. It's not rocket science!

 

[Clark3169]

No it hadn't been ok for donkeys years it socket was badly scorched on the back due to a loose line conductor and when I touched it unplugging the immersion heater before unscrewing it from the wall I got a bolt of it. Lucky no one else did or worse as it could have caused a fire so it defo needed replacing anyway. Couldn't do Zs as didn't have my megga with me came straight from a night shift didn't expect to work today got called in last minute.

 

[KAS1]

So what did you connect into the earth terminal of your new socket that you replaced the old metal with?

 

[bigbaddave]

How from working in a bathroom are you now aware that the ring main has no earth?

 

[KAS1]

Was the bathroom lights wired in conduit?

 

[bigbaddave]

Think he has gone to find his ELI tester

 

[KAS1]

Bombarded him with questions and his head exploded lol

 

[Toonlad]

Better not show him what i was up against today, his head would definatly IMplode.

 

[oldtimer]

What you are looking for is the 14th edition reg Electrically & Mechanically Sound if you get a good Zs then your good to go thats why sparks put an earth tail between the socket and the backbox as when you unscrewed the socket you would have lost the earth. Nothing wrong with conduit as an earth .

 

[Clark3169]

Guys, thanks for some of your replies. My question is.. If there is no earth on the ring main and it turns out not to be in earthed conduit which I don't think it is, do I recommend a rewire or is there any other option? And as far as diving in first without testing that's not the case. I think you find we inspect first then test which is exactly what I'm doing. The first fix in the bathroom is being installed and is dead until connected up which will be tested first of course. As far as class 2 sockets you know what I meant plastic not metal. And I connected the cpc from the spur to the earth terminal but like I said it doesn't look like an earth is going back so makes no difference at the moment. Pleas guys if your not going to reply with any helpful answers don't bother. Thank you.

 

[Des 56]

Do your testing tomorrow and you may find that the conduit is a very good earth path

If you are trying to make the sockets safer when they are removed whilst live,you would be better off fitting tail earths to the back boxes (if there are none )

If the conduit is not intact,it may still be possible to wire a seperate earth through the system,but probably easier to rewire all in singles through the conduit where it is still possible to do so

 

[Clark3169]

Oh and the reason I discovered there is no earth in the ring main is because I intend to run a 13 amp fuss spur for the underfloor heating for the bathroom off the ring main so I had to take a look at the socket on the landing which turned out to be in a bit of a state. I can run a radial from a spare mcb to power the stuff in the bathroom if I have to and I can ensure my work is earthed and safe but I am simply trying to find out what advise you guys would give about the lack of earth in the ring main as I don't want be accused of scare mongering by suggesting a rewire if there is another solution.

 

[Clark3169]

Thanks Des yeah I'm hoping there is conduit like with the lighting circuits, fingers crossed. So basically If there is earthed conduit I'm all good, if there is conduit but no continuity I can try to earth it myself somehow if not its suggest a rewire time. That's all wanted to confirm, thanks mate.

 

[Des 56]

I would do the job I was contracted to carry out

I would advise the customer of the percieved problem

I would suggest a solution if they asked of me

I would not make a suggestion unless asked (that would put aside your scaremongering concern )

There is nothing wrong with making danger known to the customer

 

[Deleted member 9648]

Oh and the reason I discovered there is no earth in the ring main is because I intend to run a 13 amp fuss spur for the underfloor heating for the bathroom off the ring main so I had to take a look at the socket on the landing which turned out to be in a bit of a state. I can run a radial from a spare mcb to power the stuff in the bathroom if I have to and I can ensure my work is earthed and safe but I am simply trying to find out what advise you guys would give about the lack of earth in the ring main as I don't want be accused of scare mongering by suggesting a rewire if there is another solution.

Other things spring to mind as you are clearly doing this work for a client.
Bonding....circuit protection....certification/notification,it comes under part p.