wiring up a steel joist

[pavlova]

Hi everybody

I am just about to knock down a wall and put in a couple of steel beams as a support, and I just thought that it would be a good time to check if there were electrical considerations here. The beams are structural, but as they will be plastered over (2x fire regs) nobody can touch them.

So I was wondering if I needed some earth bonding to them?
If so what size cable? and how can I connect the cable to the beam?

Thanks

 

[the_jinj]

No bonding required - this is in your house right?

 

[pavlova]

yes, my house - nothing would make me go near a wire in someone elses!

I am building an extension and wiring up at the moment. I have an electrician organised to come and check over/sign off, but I want to get it right before electricain arrives.

So are you sure about not needing bonding on the universal beam?
I did skim the wiring regs and found some stuff on structural steel, but didnt understand it properly. Maybe its that if you can touch the structural steel then it needs bonding, if not then it doesn't?

thanks for your reply

 

[Adam_151]

Its not an Extranous conductive part, thus does not need bonding

"Extranous Conductive Part: A conductive part liable to introduce a potential, generally earth potential, and not forming part of the electricial installation"

Your Steel RSJ meets points A (its metal and so conductive) and Point C (its not part of the electricial installtion)

(my point lettering, btw)

Part B however doesn't apply to your RSJ, it may have a potential introduced to it by sitting on top of a wall which is on the ground (though dry walls arn't usually too conductive), but as its covered up, its not able to introduce that potential to anything

 

[pavlova]

Good news ... one job less
Thank you so much for the info

cheers

 

[securespark]

They only need bonding if they are exposed.