Would you be kind enough to look at this for me please?

Joined
19 Nov 2007
Messages
3,088
Reaction score
613
Location
Lincolnshire
Country
United Kingdom
Good evening sparks,

Have a few images from my fathers garage and meter install. If you could be so kind as to point any faults or issues out that would be great as I'm not sure about regs and things on the sparks side of things. Think I've provided as much info as I'm privy to at the minute but I will get any more that you need should the need arise.

Thanks in advance Jon, the poor plumber!

Hi ... got photos of earth wiring. I'll upload them to you in the morning. Wiring is 4mm for sure. Meter changed April 2016 by E.on!

Pictures of the original 4mm earth conductor from mains in to consumer unit and a take off to the shower breaker (my addition!)

Above messages from my dad with info. Below pics of the install.

dads garage 1.jpg dads garage 2.jpg dads garage 3.jpg dads garage 4.jpg dads garage 5.jpg
 
Sponsored Links
It looks alright at first glance.

The Earth(ing conductor) may be alright but can't tell for sure without knowing the fuse size and other details.

Where exactly is the shower supply connected? Are there RCDs in the CU or was it done a long time ago?



What were you worried about?
 
Sponsored Links
It looks alright at first glance.

The Earth(ing conductor) may be alright but can't tell for sure without knowing the fuse size and other details.

Where exactly is the shower supply connected? Are there RCDs in the CU or was it done a long time ago?



What were you worried about?

The main issue was a 10mm bonding going to gas pipe as a new system being installed. Dad is worried about 4mm unsheathed straight to CU, clamp in between and everything just on 4mm cant see how upping to 10mm will help matters?

You tell me, you should be the guys in the know. If it were gas regs I'd help you in seconds.

Many thanks Jon.
 
The bonding should be 10mm² from gas point of entry to the Main Earthing Terminal - which looks like it is the Earth bar in the CU in your Dad's case.

The Earthing conductor does not have to be. It may be worked out from the Prospective Fault Current and this will likely be smaller than you (most people) think.
Are you certain it is 4mm²? 6mm² would be usual for the time. It does not look 'distressed' in any way.
 
It's not exactly far from the Main fuse to the Consumer unit and looks more like 6mm but for peace of mind i'd change it to insulated 16mm if it was mine, i'm a bit surprised Eon didn't do it when the meter was installed (obviously done by a bloke on price work)
 
I think both of the comments were where my Dad was thinking as was I. Its OK but not to current regs?

Change Earth to what? 16mm sheathed to CU?

@EFLImpudence Is it ok as that or an upgrade worth doing anyway? Appreciate your time. The more info the better for me as I like to understand things.

@chivers67 I cant be 100% on the size as I'm 180 miles away so it does look small to me! :LOL: As for the meter bloke I don't know what their remit is.

Cheers Jon
 
It's not exactly far from the Main fuse to the Consumer unit and looks more like 6mm but for peace of mind i'd change it to insulated 16mm if it was mine,
I'm really not being awkward but would you like to explain why.

i'm a bit surprised Eon didn't do it when the meter was installed (obviously done by a bloke on price work)
I'd be surprised if they did do it.
 
So there is no Earth cable inside the Consumer unit that isn't uninsulated (it could well be though). I know it wouldn't make a great deal of difference to the overall ZE but i'm just saying if it was mine i'd do it.
 
Change Earth to what? 16mm sheathed to CU?
As you may have just seen, that's what people do because that's what people do.

There is a bit in the regulations which states that if you do not want to bother with the calculation then you should fit 16mm² (for normal domestic supplies). Obviously this then covers all.

Is it ok as that or an upgrade worth doing anyway? Appreciate your time. The more info the better for me as I like to understand things.
It is likely alright. Cant tell by looking, which is why people fit 16mm².
 
I think both of the comments were where my Dad was thinking as was I. Its OK but not to current regs?

Change Earth to what? 16mm sheathed to CU?

@EFLImpudence Is it ok as that or an upgrade worth doing anyway? Appreciate your time. The more info the better for me as I like to understand things.

@chivers67 I cant be 100% on the size as I'm 180 miles away so it does look small to me! :LOL: As for the meter bloke I don't know what their remit is.

Cheers Jon

I'd change it to an Insulated cable from the joining block at the very least.
 
Is that how the DNO left the earthing conductor, unsecured ? , or was it moved when the meter was installed.
Surely it should be terminated in to an earth bar for connections to the protective conductors for the rest of the installation
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

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

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top