Bonding matters

I've done some plumbing work recently, without considering the implications this may have on bonding. I've read a few things and only really become more confused. There are two main areas of concern that I have.

1. A resin sink has been replaced with stainless steel. The (metal) tap is now connected to the (copper) plumbing with flexible hoses where before it was soldered directly. The sink has a macerator installed on the half bowl. The wastes are all plastic.
2. A pipe running to an outside tap has been interrupted by a plastic fitting between the bonding point and the (metal) outside tap. The pipe is not buried in the ground at any point, the tap is on a brick wall in a paved area.

My understanding is that I don't need to bond anything (indeed, the sink isn't fitted with any provision to bond), but someone has previously bonded just about everything in sight so I'm not too sure.

Thanks

Is this a college/ theoretical question?

Is it a domestic or commercial environment?

What does BS7671:2008 say about bonding in kitchens?

timbim said:

1. A resin sink has been replaced with stainless steel. The (metal) tap is now connected to the (copper) plumbing with flexible hoses where before it was soldered directly. The sink has a macerator installed on the half bowl. The wastes are all plastic.

Click to expand...

Supplementary bonding is not rquired in a kitchen.
I presume the macerator (right word?) is earthed.

2. A pipe running to an outside tap has been interrupted by a plastic fitting between the bonding point and the (metal) outside tap. The pipe is not buried in the ground at any point, the tap is on a brick wall in a paved area.

Click to expand...

It will be better like that.

My understanding is that I don't need to bond anything (indeed, the sink isn't fitted with any provision to bond), but someone has previously bonded just about everything in sight so I'm not too sure.

Click to expand...

You are correct - as long as the Main Bonding of the services at the entry point of the premises is applied.

EFLImpudence said:

Supplementary bonding is not rquired in a kitchen.
I presume the macerator (right word?) is earthed.

Click to expand...

Thought as much
It is earthed, and it would appear that I don't call it what everyone else calls them.

You are correct - as long as the Main Bonding of the services at the entry point of the premises is applied.

Click to expand...

Plastic water supply, but there is buried copper supplying another outside tap. Remaining plumbing (all copper) remains bonded.

Thanks.

Back to basics why bond.
The advantage of bonding is any fault will likely cause automatic disconnection before any one is injured by the fault. And it stops faults from being transmitted from one room to another. Typical is a standard lamp falling on a radiator so the filament touches the radiator is visible in the room where it has happened so people in the room are aware of the danger but if that fault is transmitted by the pipes to another room then people are unaware of the danger. Either bonding so the lamp supply auto disconnects or isolating with plastic pipe will both ensure the fault is not transmitted into another room.

The disadvantage of bonding is it means there is a return path. Bird on the power cable is OK as it is not connected to any return path so with no bonding anyone touching a live part is less likely to get a lethal shock.

So using RCD protection it is considered no bonding likely is the lesser of the two evils but without RCD protection to bond is considered as the lesser.

So as to if bonding is required or not depends on what version of the regulations the installation has been wired to. Wired to BS7671:2008 then bonding is not required but wired to 13th edition where lights do not have earths then yes bonding is required.

As to 14, 15, and 16th it is hard to give a definitive answer as I of hand can't remember what was required but to date there is with the exception of special earth free installations nothing to stop one bonding so simple thing if not sure then bond.

ericmark said:

Back to basics why bond. The advantage of bonding is any fault will likely cause automatic disconnection before any one is injured by the fault.

Click to expand...

Sorry, eric, and with respect, but that is NOT bonding, or the reason for bonding - you're talking about earthing

Bonding exists for only one reason - to minimise the pd between two parts, and it's nothing to do with facilitating the operation of protective devices (which si what earthing is for).

Kind Regards, John

ericmark said:

Back to basics why bond.
The advantage of bonding is any fault will likely cause automatic disconnection before any one is injured by the fault.

Click to expand...

No. That's Earthing. Bonding is nothing to do with ADS,

And it stops faults from being transmitted from one room to another. Typical is a standard lamp falling on a radiator so the filament touches the radiator is visible in the room where it has happened so people in the room are aware of the danger but if that fault is transmitted by the pipes to another room then people are unaware of the danger.

Click to expand...

No. That's Earthing.
We do not have to cater for such occurrences.

Either bonding so the lamp supply auto disconnects or isolating with plastic pipe will both ensure the fault is not transmitted into another room.

Click to expand...

No. Transferring such occurrences is not a consideration.

The disadvantage of bonding is it means there is a return path.

Click to expand...

No. There will already be a path to Earth via the Earthing.
If there is not (not Earthed) then the part should not be bonded.

Bird on the power cable is OK as it is not connected to any return path

Click to expand...

Not likely in a house.

so with no bonding anyone touching a live part is less likely to get a lethal shock.

Click to expand...

No. Earthing where required will disconnect the supply.
Lamps falling on metal parts (spoon) is not a consideration.

So using RCD protection it is considered no bonding likely is the lesser of the two evils

Click to expand...

No.

but without RCD protection to bond is considered as the lesser.

Click to expand...

No. Bonding equalises the potential between two parts that may be touched simultaneously.

So as to if bonding is required or not depends on what version of the regulations the installation has been wired to.

Click to expand...

No. Main Bonding of extraneous-conductive-parts is mandatory.

Wired to BS7671:2008 then bonding is not required but wired to 13th edition where lights do not have earths then yes bonding is required.

Click to expand...

Don't understand.

As to 14, 15, and 16th it is hard to give a definitive answer as I of hand can't remember what was required but to date there is

Click to expand...

No. Bonding must be brought up to current regulations.

with the exception of special earth free installations nothing to stop one bonding so simple thing if not sure then bond.

Click to expand...

No. If unsure, get someone who is.

Although in theroy bonding is not earthing since some metal item in any room is likely to be earthed in real terms it is the same.

However if one is sure bonding is not earthed then yes you have a valid point but I would expect something is always earthed.

ericmark said:

Although in theory bonding is not earthing since some metal item in any room is likely to be earthed in real terms it is the same.

Click to expand...

No theory. Parts only requires bonding because they are earthed.

However if one is sure bonding is not earthed then yes you have a valid point but I would expect something is always earthed.

Click to expand...

If the bonding is not earthed then it is not needed and could be removed.

EFLImpudence said:

ericmark said:

Although in theory bonding is not earthing since some metal item in any room is likely to be earthed in real terms it is the same.

Click to expand...

No theory. Parts only requires bonding because they are earthed.

However if one is sure bonding is not earthed then yes you have a valid point but I would expect something is always earthed.

Click to expand...

If the bonding is not earthed then it is not needed and could be removed.

Click to expand...

That is what I said bonding and earthing are the same thing as if not earthed bonding not required.

OK not quite true I bond items to ensure no RF interference and as we get into UHF then more like plumbing than wiring with wave guides but as far as a standard house bonding and earthing are the same.

ericmark said:

Although in theroy bonding is not earthing since some metal item in any room is likely to be earthed in real terms it is the same.

Click to expand...

If an item is already earthed, then that will facilitate ADS - so you do not, as you suggested, need additional bonding to ensure that you have ADS.

The most important type of bonding, Main Protective Bonding (or Main Equipotential Bonding), has got absolutely nothing to do with the operation of protective devices.

Kind Regards, John