earth bonding

[scrumpyjack]

I'm having an external oil boiler installed later this year.
Will I have to have all the pipework in the house bonded because it isn't at the moment??
And if it does have to be done is it a diy job??

 

[davy_owen_88]

I answered this over at the plumbing forum...

All metal service pipes (gas, water, oil) within the house require main bonding to the earth terminal in your consumer unit within 600mm of entering the property on the consumer side of any meters/stopcocks with 10mm² g&y cable and suitable clamps.

Supplementary bonding takes place in the bathroom where all metal pipes are connected together and to the circuit protective conductors of all circuits within the bathroom using 4mm² g&y cable and suitable clamps.

You can do it yourself, it's fairly straightforward, just make sure you buy suitable clamps, and clean any corrosion off the pipes before making the connection.

See here and here.

 

[scrumpyjack]

Thanks for both replies mate--I'm still a bit confused with the bonding--Have I got this straight? In the bathroom I connect the shower feed pipe> bath hot> bath cold> basin hot > basin cold>cold in supply at cistern.And I can connect the whole chain to the existing shower earth??
What do I have to do to the c/h radiators,do they have to be linked in the same fashion?and earthed where?
The kitchen pipes under the sink are bonded but only to a ground earth I think--I suppose that needs doing as well?
Any advice appreciated.-----What would a pro charge?

 

[davy_owen_88]

Assuming the bath, sink and shower are fed from the same pipes and they are electrically continuous you only need to cross bond them once. For example you could link the hot, cold and central heating pipes together then at the shower link the cold water pipe to the earth terminal, and also link the earth terminal of the bathroom light to the earth terminal of the shower isolator.

Kitchens do not require supplementary bonding, but it sounds like you are using your rising main as an earth electrode which is against current regs, and could also be providing a very poor earth connection. Do you know what earthing arrangement you have?

Your best bet is to get 3 or more quotes from local electricians that your friends/family have recommended. Costs vary with location, electrician, difficulty of job, cables run lengths etc.

 

[scrumpyjack]

Thanks for all that --enough to give me mares for a week!!--I don't like stuff I can't see so I think some quotes are needed