Using extraneous metal as bonding conductor

drzsta · Feb 27, 2016

Hi,

Scenario, Oil service to a church boiler is at the furthest point to the distribution board. Rather than run a separate bonding conductor to the oil service I've decided to bond the 3" cast iron heating pipework local to the DB then take a fly lead at the boiler from the CH pipework to the oil.

543.2.6 seems to permit this and I'm not worried about somebody adapting the pipework in future with plastic being that it's a church and the run is all on show.

Anybody have a different opinion on this?

ruston · Feb 28, 2016

Leesparkykent said:
Maybe it was the bonding conductor to the lightning protection.

It may well have been.
It was bare circular solid outer copper.
I know it was cut off , if they have put it back , I will take a pic of it next time I am there.

UKMeterman · Feb 28, 2016

50mm2 is only 8mm diameter

ruston · Feb 28, 2016

UKMeterman said:
50mm2 is only 8mm diameter

Yes, thanks . I just twigged on before.
Bit slow today.

PEG · Feb 28, 2016

At the risk of gilding a lily...the manufacturers of the standard sizes of lightning protection,also supply smaller sections and profiles.

These are commonly used for a vast array of tasks,including Cornish hipster jewelry!

I have used it for a myriad of projects,both electrical ,and not.

I thought of another use,only last night,whilst watching a 30 year old "Back to the Future"....now this proves my need to get out more...

Do you know the part,where he has to time hitting the copper wire stretched across the road,with both the lightning strike,and doing 88 mph?

...I thought his chances,would have been greatly enhanced,by having the conductor running in line with the road,which would increase the duration of contact,and ensure that strike impulse,made it to the Flux Capacitor....

I explained this practical tip,to my missus,as she watched the film....thus both spoiling the film,and making her wonder about her ongoing 26 year error :19:

drzsta · Mar 2, 2016

davesparks said:
If they can stand the cost of it then I see no problem with it, and I have given a bit of thought to this exact idea in the past when trying to overcome such a situation.
Although I'm sure it would confuse a few people looking at it I think you could reasonably sweat a lug directly on to the end of the MICC sheath.

Think I am going to give this a try, any preference to the lead ratio in the solder? unfortunately they don't teach sweated joints during your apprenticeship these days :sad_smile: