Trainees, Show Us Your Installs

[Robson689]

Do you have to carry out bonding to the lightning protection?

We don't do it personally as we're not allowed to make any connections to the electrical system. Our company arranges for an electrician to connect a suitably sized conductor* from the MET to one of our downtapes or sometimes we'll run 25x3 copper tape into the electrical room if there's an earth bar for the electrician to do the final connection.


* I say suitably sized because from my understanding it should be 70mm² CSA to match the equivalent CSA of our 25x3mm tape but on quite a few buildings I've gone back to test, the equipotential bond isn't a 70mm conductor so it does confuse me as to what the rules actually are.

 

[Leesparkykent]

We don't do it personally as we're not allowed to make any connections to the electrical system. Our company arranges for an electrician to connect a suitably sized conductor* from the MET to one of our downtapes or sometimes we'll run 25x3 copper tape into the electrical room if there's an earth bar for the electrician to do the final connection.


* I say suitably sized because from my understanding it should be 70mm² CSA to match the equivalent CSA of our 25x3mm tape but on quite a few buildings I've gone back to test, the equipotential bond isn't a 70mm conductor so it does confuse me as to what the rules actually are.

Yeah that's what I was interested to know about the csa its a subject im going to look in to further. Will have to buy the relevant bs document/book.

 

[davesparks]

It's also interesting to note the number of times the bond is connected above ground, when it should be below ground level/at the top of an electrode

 

[Robson689]

Yeah that's what I was interested to know about the csa its a subject im going to look in to further. Will have to buy the relevant bs document/book.

Would cost you an arm and a leg to get the 62305 books I've only ever seen them once as they cost so much!!

It's also interesting to note the number of times the bond is connected above ground, when it should be below ground level/at the top of an electrode

Something I never knew! 9/10 times I see the bond connected to the test clamp always just assumed it was correct.

 

[davesparks]

Yeah that's what I was interested to know about the csa [emoji6] its a subject im going to look in to further. Will have to buy the relevant bs document/book.

Furse used to publish a very good guide to lightning protection which they would send out foc if you asked for it. It's worth a try

 

[davesparks]

Would cost you an arm and a leg to get the 62305 books I've only ever seen them once as they cost so much!!


Something I never knew! 9/10 times I see the bond connected to the test clamp always just assumed it was correct.

Don't quote me on it as its not really my field, but to the best of my knowledge the connection should always be below ground to minimise the potential for flashover.

Tony posted something about it on here a while ago

 

[Robson689]

Don't quote me on it as its not really my field, but to the best of my knowledge the connection should always be below ground to minimise the potential for flashover.

Tony posted something about it on here a while ago

Thanks, it's good to know. I'll make a note so I remember to ask my college tutor about it when I'm back down there in May.

 

[Robson689]

I get about quite a bit in my job! Have been doing a lot of electrical earthing recently aswell as lightning protection. My latest trip brought me to a live substation near Leamington Spa. I have never felt so paranoid whilst working but being under those insulators having them buzzing all day above your head doesn't half play tricks with your brain.

Only had 2 of us welding but we managed to install little under 500 metres of 40x4 copper tape over Mon & Tues as part of the earthing upgrades. For the old tape which we don't have the CAD weld moulds for we've had to get some kit ordered so we can braze the joints. Not something I've ever done before so definitely valuable all the experience I'm getting.

 

[RM11541]

2nd board at college - swa, metal trunking & tray. ignore the lack of cable-ties (we ran out) and the wrong faceplate on the two-way lighting circuit. must admit under the cover, my consumer is a bit of a birds nest....was well impressed with resu's consumer unit. very tidy - something to aim for in future.

 

[hightower]

Very interesting to see the differences in requirements - there's no conduit (metal or plastic) in yours, and those singles for the socket look a bit alarming.

 

[RM11541]

luckily it's not a presentation piece. conduit soon to be covered on the course...just out of interest, what's the concern with the singles? would be good to know if we're doing something different to other trainees.

 

[hightower]

luckily it's not a presentation piece. conduit soon to be covered on the course...just out of interest, what's the concern with the singles? would be good to know if we're doing something different to other trainees.

Just that you have 2 or 3 inches where the singles leaves the trunking and has no mechanical protection.

 

[RM11541]

good point actually...something i overlooked. have to remember that for next time. cheers.

 

[Resu]

2nd board at college - swa, metal trunking & tray. ignore the lack of cable-ties (we ran out) and the wrong faceplate on the two-way lighting circuit. must admit under the cover, my consumer is a bit of a birds nest....was well impressed with resu's consumer unit. very tidy - something to aim for in future.

View attachment 32663

Thanks man. Remember I was 2 years in and that board wasn't perfect (see Paul's comments). You have plenty of time to work on presentation just focus on making sure everything is in the right place!

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

 

[hightower]

All RCBO board, tricky getting it tidy due to the amount of cables squeezed in to such a small space. Would appreciate comments/feedback.

Thanks,