Bonding a washing m/c.

Bylough · 21 Jul 2009

Hi guys,
I want to get a switch ready fo a new washing m/c, as our old one is finished.
The bonding is a puzzle to me- but I intend to run a bond earth wire to the washer direct from the cold copper pipe.
Also run a bond earth from this pipe to the double pole switch -(as this has no earth as it's fed with a two core wire- red and black- now that's going back !).
This is in case the new machine has a three core lead and might upset the installer guys.
Does this sound right. the machine will be in the leanto-veranda.

I'm thinking of terminating the bond wire early at the switch and uea a short flexible wire to ease switch access- all wires being flexible.

Thanks fo any replies

ricicle · 21 Jul 2009

So lets get this straight - the existing w/m/c point has no earth ?
You are intending picking up an earth from the water pipe ?

I suggest for your own safety you put the tools away and seek the services of a competant Electrician.

oharaf · 21 Jul 2009

Darwin was correct!!!!!!!!

Look if your socket circuits have no earths do YOU not think it is time you had the whole lot replaced??????

What you are describing is plain idiotic!!!!

www.competentperson.co.uk

ColJack · 21 Jul 2009

sounds to me like you're possibly trying to run the washing machine off the lighting circuit..

could also be 2 core SWA, or MICC cable.. we don't know..

where in the WM? I can pop round for a look if it's close..

Bylough · 22 Jul 2009

Hi again guys,
Sorry for the delay in replying- had to jump ship last night.
First- Ricicle- the existing switch and machine HAS got an earth, this is the old single bare thickish earth wire- which I didnt put in.

It goes to the water pipe which enters the ground a foot downwards and runs under the tiles and outer house wall to the lead service water pipe.
I do understand that I may have to later on move this or add to this an earthing rod deep into the ground.

Secondly- Oharaf- I installed a Wickes double pole 20A power switch a year ago- taking out a 3pin switched socket which was a good move I though considering the environment it's in.

The existing wire feed is a heavy gauge- multi strand twin core heavily insulated.
I would have thought the new verv heavy gauge bonding wire was best placed the shortist distance from the machine- better than a thin earth enclosed in th cable 12 yards to the meter.

What I wanted mainly was to know more about this- the earth point accepted as the best practice.

I don't know why a twin feed should not be acceptable these days- is it or is it not- as long as a good earthing conductor is on the machine.

Thanks for the replies so far.

(embarassat)

Goldberg · 22 Jul 2009

Bylough, standards have changed, for the better, since 'your' installation, and it's likely that are many unsafe aspects that are accidents waiting to happen.

You say that the appliance is connected to an "earth wire", but have you, or has anyone, checked the resistance of this path to a real earth?

You say that you may have to "later on" move add an earthing rod - if you regard that as a safety measure, then you must regard the existing installation as unsafe. Anyone else would!

If you installed a DP switch without connecting an earth to that switch and/or the backbox, then it does seem that you're not actually competent enough to be doing what your doing.

You say that you mainly want to know what's accepted as best practice - this can't be answered in a few posts on a forum topic, because electricians train for years, and continue learning for more years, to accumulate the knowledge needed to do what you're considering doing with next to none.

ban-all-sheds · 22 Jul 2009

Bylough said:
Hi again guys,
Sorry for the delay in replying- had to jump ship last night.
First- Ricicle- the existing switch and machine HAS got an earth, this is the old single bare thickish earth wire- which I didnt put in.

That's not an earth. A washing machine without an earth is very dangerous - get an electrician in asap. If you're tempted to say "hang on, how can it be that dangerous, I've had the old one all these years and nothing has gone wrong", think how long it is since you last crashed your car, and whether that means it's not dangerous to not wear a seat belt.

It goes to the water pipe which enters the ground a foot downwards and runs under the tiles and outer house wall to the lead service water pipe.
I do understand that I may have to later on move this or add to this an earthing rod deep into the ground.

It is grossly inadequate NOW, and needs sorting out NOW.

Secondly- Oharaf- I installed a Wickes double pole 20A power switch a year ago- taking out a 3pin switched socket which was a good move I though considering the environment it's in.

That was not a good move - it was so stupid that it beggars belief. What happened to the fusing that you had in the plug?

The existing wire feed is a heavy gauge- multi strand twin core heavily insulated.

So no protective conductor.

I would have thought the new verv heavy gauge bonding wire was best placed the shortist distance from the machine- better than a thin earth enclosed in th cable 12 yards to the meter.

Please stop thinking - you are utterly useless at it. Get an electrician before you kill yourself, or, worse, someone else.

What I wanted mainly was to know more about this- the earth point accepted as the best practice.

The only best practice you need to understand is the one of using a competent electrician.

Goldberg · 22 Jul 2009

There seems to be an echo on this topic...opic...pic...ic...

Bylough · 22 Jul 2009

Hi guys
Sorry for the delay an the 'Echo'
I did put a long long reply to this thread, but unfortunitly it got lost when I submitted it- an I just cant go through all that again- sorry

I am most grateful for all your replies- and they will help in many ways-

First-I shall consider jumping in the nearest river

Thanks again.

Goldberg · 22 Jul 2009

Make sure the river is earthed.

ColJack · 22 Jul 2009

I believe this is a windup...
tell me where you live and I'll come round and have a look.. I don't believe you for a second..

we either want pictures or I'm comming round..

conny · 22 Jul 2009

Make sure the river is earthed.

But get an electrician to check, don't check it yourself!

bernardgreen · 23 Jul 2009

Be careful when you jump into the river, there may be dangerous currents there.

JohnD · 23 Jul 2009

I got pulled in by strong currants when I was mixing the Christmas pudding.

Bylough · 23 Jul 2009

Hi guys- again
I keep on popping up to disturb the peace.

I feel like Steve McQueen on the Sand Pebbles- being shot to pieces.

The 'earth' that you're all flogging. There has always been an earth of sorts -assuming the water pipe in my house is accepted The Resistance of this to the mains trunk in is 0.3r.- and that is including the old solid copper wire- an without cleaning the pipe joint.

However I bought some 2.5 sq mm. twin and earth tpo gether with a weathershield unswitched socket- steam proof. A Crabtree IP56

I now have installed this today, using the double pole switch as feed to the socket which encloses the plug from the new machine.

IE the wiring to the meter- 9mtr is now conventional

Many houses nowadays have a PLASTIC service pipe an so not suitable for earthing of any type.

To me- an earth to a washing m/c for - if the casing should go live etc.
But obviously must be accepted by the supplier. An the regulations tosay.

I stuck my neck out again,

You must try my home brew!!!

Thanks chaps.

diynot

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

Bonding a washing m/c.

Goldberg

Goldberg

Goldberg

Similar threads