Can I earth gas meter externally?

[GlowWormJon]

Hi, I need to bond the meter back to the CU, but I can`t get onto the supply pipe within 600mm of the meter on the inside side of the house, as the plumber had to run my pipe inside a larger pipe to protect it where it runs through the wall, and this larger pipe runs most of the way under the front room floor. If I want to get within 600 of the meter I can`t see any other way than to actually earth from inside the meter box itself, but I`m sure I heard a rumour that this either isn`t acceptable, or that you have to take special precautions with exterior earth connections. Can anyone advise please?

Cheers
Jon

 

[doitall]

You can connect the earth in the meter box, provided you don't compromise the integrity of the box.

For example you cannot drill through the back of the box, it has to be the bottom edge and then into the building.

 

[Chri5]

As you say the earth should be on the customer side of the meter within 600mm.

Surely at the meter box you can see some of the customer side of the pipe work ?
There are earth clamps available for external (damp and more corrosive) settings, and it would be prudent to eyelet or lug the 10mm earth cable which will help avoid a contact that weakens due to the elements.

 

[doitall]

Nothing to do with the question, but one gets to think what the Op said.

The pipe is sleeved through the wall, which is correct, but the inside must be sealed with flexible mastic where it enters the building, clearly that is not the case from what you say.

 

[kirkgas]

connecting an earth bond within 600mm of meter outlet is to comply with BS6891 (installation of gas pipes) I have spoken to many sparks who say it is a lot of nonsense and that an effective bond can be made anywhere, and they also prefer to bond inside the "equipotential zone" which i assume is inside the house at the first appropriate point where it rises above the floor, and not all the way back to the meter

 

[Chri5]

connecting an earth bond within 600mm of meter outlet is to comply with BS6891 (installation of gas pipes) I have spoken to many sparks who say it is a lot of nonsense and that an effective bond can be made anywhere, and they also prefer to bond inside the "equipotential zone" which i assume is inside the house at the first appropriate point where it rises above the floor, and not all the way back to the meter

So are you endorsing an incorrect preference over the British Standards ?

 

[doitall]

BS 7671 says as close as practical to the gas meter, before any branch in the installation pipework, within 600mm.

In a position where it can be observed, with a warning label etc.

You already know it has to be on the customer side.

What you mustn't do is drill from inside the box chamber, it must exit the box at the bottom lip first and then go through the wall.

 

[kirkgas]

So are you endorsing an incorrect preference over the British Standards ?

no I am highlighting what electricians tell me, the ref in BS6891 referring to the position of the ME bond is linked to the requirement to always pipe the first 600mm of pipe from the meter in solid pipe, therefore if the ME bond is always fitted within the first 600mm and subsequently the pipe is changed to a semi rigid pipe the ME bond wont need to be altered.

sparks quote their own regs or the 17th edition wiring regs as not requiring the bond to be in any exact position but to be in an accesible position, with the emphesis on a "good" reading confirming the bond is there.

if any sparks on here confirm what i have been told as "mince" then please advise what i can quote the sparks the next time they are on their high horse when i comment on a bond being 700mm from the meter outlet, but positioned there as it is a nice neat job

 

[securespark]

I would always bond outside in the meter box unless this was missing or damaged. I only bond inside when the above holds true. My dilemma came where I couldn't bond outside as the box was smashed and there was an external T, so putting it inside would have meant after branch pipework. Arrrgh! In the event, the box was replaced. Phew!