Main equipotential bonding question

The shut off valve is above a wide diameter pipe which comes up through the ground into the meter cupboard and then runs into the left side of the meter. I'm assuming that's the supply pipe. The one on the right side of the meter also runs into the ground so I can't be sure but it is a normal sized pipe.

Neither are in places where I could get to the consumer unit without taking the floor up. I notice the copper water pipes around the boiler are earthed to a nearby electric point. Can you do that or does it have to go to the CU? Thanks
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    54.6 KB · Views: 607
Sponsored Links
The valve is on the supply side - flexible pipe.
My memory must be playing tricks.

What you describe regarding the bonding cables at the boiler sound like unnecessary "plumbers' cross-bonding".
However, IF the water supply pipe is bonded correctly to the Main Earthing Terminal (MET) you may be able to bond the gas pipe by connecting it to the water pipe at the boiler.
It would have to be determined whether this would be suitable but difficult to tell from here.
 
EFLImpudence said:
The pipe must enter the premises somewhere. Can you see outside where it goes through the wall? If the only visible pipe inside is to the boiler then would it be possible to run the cable to there?
Click to expand...
Quite so. Although we have our debates about what "as close as is practicable to point of entry" means, there clearly cannot be a realistic expectation that an incoming service be bonded before it first becomes visible within the premises!

However, I don't think this is really the OP's problem - his problem being of finding a way of routing a bonding conductor from the service pipe to his CU which does not involve taking up flooring.

Kind Regards.
 
SJRSJR said:
Neither are in places where I could get to the consumer unit without taking the floor up. I notice the copper water pipes around the boiler are earthed to a nearby electric point. Can you do that or does it have to go to the CU?
Click to expand...
In general, it needs to go to the CU - although, as EFLI has said, there might possibly be other options, which could only really be ascertained by an electrician who was on-site.

Where does the water service enter the premises (relative to the gas meter), and do you know where bonding (if any) is connected to that?

There is no rule/regulation preventing a bonding conductor running partially outdoors. Would it be possible to run it along outside walls to a place where it could enter the building and get to the CU? Whilst that may not be aesthetically ideal, it might be preferable to pulling up your flooring!

Kind Regards, John
 
Sponsored Links
Thanks. It would be an easier job to run it from the gas pipe outside under the window and into the meter cupboard, I could pick it up via a hole in the plasterboard and patch it up afterwards.

The water pipe comes in under the floor by the CU but is not accessible until it appears under the stairs. It's not bonded there. I'm not sure where the water pipes are bonded to the CU (unless by the boiler?) but it was the electrician who did the boiler electrics who told me he couldn't do the gas pipe.
 
SJRSJR said:
Thanks. It would be an easier job to run it from the gas pipe outside under the window and into the meter cupboard, I could pick it up via a hole in the plasterboard and patch it up afterwards.
Click to expand...
As I suggested, that might well be your best (aka least disruptive) solution. You can paint/cover/whatever the cable if you wish. If you drilled the hole from the plasterboard side (i.e. inside), you might have little/no 'patching up' to do.
SJRSJR said:
The water pipe comes in under the floor by the CU but is not accessible until it appears under the stairs. It's not bonded there. I'm not sure where the water pipes are bonded to the CU (unless by the boiler?) but it was the electrician who did the boiler electrics who told me he couldn't do the gas pipe.
Click to expand...
Fair enough. As I think I said before, if the water supply enters your house in a plastic pipe (which is quite possible), the water pipework would not need bonding - so that's another possibility.

Kind Regards, John
 
There are some plastic pipes but not where the main comes in, it's where I had a water softener installed. Thanks for your help, I think I understand it better now.
 
SJRSJR said:
There are some plastic pipes but not where the main comes in, it's where I had a water softener installed. Thanks for your help, I think I understand it better now.
Click to expand...
You're welcome - and fair enough. If the water supply enters your house in metal, then it does need to be bonded - maybe it is, and you haven't yet found where!

Kind Regards, John
 
RF Lighting said:
You could install D-line trunking where the laminate meets the skirting. It looks just like regular beading but can conceal a cable.
Click to expand...
That's essentially what the OP suggested in the very first post ...
SJRSJR said:
Could it run in the expansion gap between the laminate and the skirting and be covered with trim?
Click to expand...
...only to be told by BAS that (even though it's 'only' a protective conductor), it was not allowed to be run there (with a link to 'safe zones').

Kind Regards, John
 
Surface trunking is not concealed within a wall or partition so safe zones do not apply.
 
RF Lighting said:
Surface trunking is not concealed within a wall or partition so safe zones do not apply.
Click to expand...
Yes, I think that is technically true, although I have to say that if "It looks just like regular beading" that might be going a fair way to 'pushing' the spirit of "not concealed"! I might think more than twice before trusting any 'live' conductors to such installation, but I find it much more difficult to get excited when we're talking about protective conductor!

Kind Regards, John
 
JohnW2 said:
only to be told by BAS that (even though it's 'only' a protective conductor), it was not allowed to be run there (with a link to 'safe zones').
Click to expand...
Ever wondered why I often find myself "telling" you things which are plainly written?

Ever wondered why, when what is written conflicts with what you want to be written you, sooner or later, try to dismiss the pointing out of the conflict as "semantic", as if being concerned with the meaning of words is to be deprecated?

Never mind what you say it "only" is, is it a cable - yes or no?
 
D

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Sponsored Links

Similar threads

F
Main Equipotential Bonding
Replies
6
Views
1K
ebee
ebee
A
main equipotential bonding to gas
2 3
Replies
40
Views
6K
JBR
JBR
T
Detail of main / equipotential bonding.
Replies
3
Views
1K
comms
C
L
Quick main bonding Q
Replies
6
Views
553
LiamPope
L
R
Routing of main equipotential bonding conductors
Replies
2
Views
1K
rlc
R
Back
Top