Domestic pipe bonding question ..

[amfisted]

Afternoon all

How should copper pipe bonding be done? I have a bonding cable on the mains cold water pipe just above the stopcock, but there was also a cable strapped between that cold pipe and the pipe next to it, which is now disconnected. I can't reattach that second bond because I've fitted a new WC and there's insufficient room to reach it.

What constitutes effective bonding in a domestic installation? Would it be OK to bond between the hot and cold pipes under the sink instead?

Thanks in advance

 

[Murdochcat]

The proper way to install equipotential bonding to a metal incoming water main is to do it before the first branch after it enters the house.

Gas is the same and you can use the same cable for water and gas. In fact it doesn’t have to be one continuous Cable

And of course you need RCD protection

 

[EFLImpudence]

How should copper pipe bonding be done? I have a bonding cable on the mains cold water pipe just above the stopcock, but there was also a cable strapped between that cold pipe and the pipe next to it, which is now disconnected.

Does the second pipe come out of the ground as well?

I can't reattach that second bond because I've fitted a new WC and there's insufficient room to reach it.

Where does it come from and go to?

What constitutes effective bonding in a domestic installation?

Well - bonding effectively where required.

Would it be OK to bond between the hot and cold pipes under the sink instead?

Is this the same pipe?
Probably not necessary.

You only have to fit Main Bonding Conductors to pipes which are "Extraneous-Conductive-Parts"; not join every pipe in sight.

 

[Jurassicspark]

How should copper pipe bonding be done? I have a bonding cable on the mains cold water pipe just above the stopcock,

Okay.

but there was also a cable strapped between that cold pipe and the pipe next to it, which is now disconnected. I can't reattach that second bond because I've fitted a new WC and there's insufficient room to reach it.

Was there another pipe running alongside the cold water main?

What constitutes effective bonding in a domestic installation?

Usually someone would test to see if the pipe is extraneous and then bond it; that would be achieved by using an MFT.

Would it be OK to bond between the hot and cold pipes under the sink instead?

Why would you do that?

 

[pete01]

Maybe it's a blue plastic pipe and doesn't need bonding

 

[amfisted]

Thanks for the replies. I'm obviously not making myself clear, and unfortunately the only picture I have doesn't show the full story. I'll try to describe the set up but if that proves to be no good I'll post the photo anyhow.

The incoming copper main ( pipe A) rises from the stopcock to a T junction. The left hand Tee goes to the WC, the right hand Tee ( pipe B) goes horizontally for about six inches then vertically down under the floor to all cold taps. There's a bonding strap on pipe B and the cable connected to that strap disappears into the wall behind the pipework. On pipe A there was originally a strap connecting a short length of earth cable to pipe B, but that no longer exists.

My problem is that I'm having trouble reaching and reattaching the straps that connect pipes A and B because of access, and I'd like to know whether I need to make that connection to ensure proper bonding is established.

 

[amfisted]

Maybe it's a blue plastic pipe and doesn't need bonding

No blue plastic pipe in the house.

 

[pete01]

No blue plastic pipe in the house.

Coming out of the ground I meant

 

[amfisted]

Coming out of the ground I meant

Good question. I had the floorboards up recently and I didn't see any evidence of blue pipe at the base of the incoming main. However yes, it could well have been replaced outside before we moved here.

 

[flameport]

incoming copper main ( pipe A) rises from the stopcock

That is what needs bonding, after the stopcock and before any junction.

 

[amfisted]

That is what needs bonding, after the stopcock and before any junction.

Thanks. Given that the earth cable that disappears into the wall is attached to Pipe B, then I do need to re-establish the connection between A and B.

 

[flameport]

No, B is already electrically connected to A if it's metal, and if it were plastic there would be nothing to connect any bonding to.

 

[amfisted]

No, B is already electrically connected to A if it's metal, and if it were plastic there would be nothing to connect any bonding to.

Ok, thanks. I think I'm getting the picture now.

 

[Scally-Ho]

That is what needs bonding, after the stopcock and before any junction.

I always maintain that a bonding cable should be fitted to both sides of the main stopcock. If some unsuspecting plumber goes to remove/maintain said valve, he/she could complete the circuit as they remove the valve.

 

[EFLImpudence]

That is what needs bonding, after the stopcock and before any junction.

It's the bit that emerges from the ground below the stopcock that requires bonding; the stopcock and junctions are irrelevant.

It seems you are looking at the mistaken regulation 544.1.2 regarding gas meters.