Earth from consumer unit - should this be buried or in ducting?

[gcltd]

Hi, we have an early 80's house that we are selling, it is empty and the buyer is asking about the earth that runs from the consumer unit, along the skirting and to the.....I assume the gas pipe?

I have been asked why this is on show and its illegal? but I have no idea.

Should this earth be in the wall or in a ducting?

Any advice appreciated.

 

[JohnW2]

Hi, we have an early 80's house that we are selling, it is empty and the buyer is asking about the earth that runs from the consumer unit, along the skirting and to the.....I assume the gas pipe? I have been asked why this is on show and its illegal? but I have no idea.

If it's a 'bonding conductor' connecting the gas pipe to the electrical installation's earth, then that's fine.

However, if the gas pipe is being used as the earth for the installation, then that is wrong, non-compliant with Wiring Regulations, potentially dangerous and arguably 'illegal' (non-compliant with Building Regulations). If you are uncertain, you should get an electrician to check and advise.

Kind Regards, John

 

[gcltd]

Great advice thank you, is this something i could see myself to confirm which one it is?
If not I'll arrange for a local electrician to check it over.
Thanks again

 

[JohnW2]

Great advice thank you, is this something i could see myself to confirm which one it is?
If not I'll arrange for a local electrician to check it over.

Would it be possible for you to provide photos showing where the electricity enters the house (i.e. where the 'service fuse' is), the vicinity of your consumer unit, and the area between those two places?

Kind Regards, John

 

[gcltd]

Sorry I have no pictures as the house is some distance from my house as its empty. The consumer unit is by the front door in a box. Actually I've just realised the gas meter is in the same box so I'm now unsure what this long earth than runs along the skirting from the consumer unit is connected to? Could this be connected to the water mains located in the kitchen? Apologies this is vague, I think I need to drive out and have a look.

 

[JohnW2]

Sorry I have no pictures as the house is some distance from my house as its empty. The consumer unit is by the front door in a box. Actually I've just realised the gas meter is in the same box so I'm now unsure what this long earth than runs along the skirting from the consumer unit is connected to? Could this be connected to the water mains located in the kitchen? Apologies this is vague, I think I need to drive out and have a look.

OK.

There should be some source of your installation's earth - coming either from the incoming supply point or an 'earth rod' in the ground outside of the house. There will also probably be 'bonding conductors' connected to incoming gas and water pipes. All three of those should be green/yellow wires (or possibly just green), and should all be connected together, either in a visible block (which should also be connected to the CU/fuse box) or within your consumer unit/fuse box. Can you identify some or all of them?

Kind Regards, John

 

[sparkwright]

The chances are it's an upgrade of the bonding of the gas or water.

Around 1981 larger cable was used, so perhaps someone decided it needed improving.

If it's neatly clipped then it may not be ILLEGAL.

 

[flameport]

I have been asked why this is on show

Because it was easier and cheaper than concealing it in the wall or under the floor.

and its illegal?

It's a cable or wire on a wall. Probably not the neatest of things, but certainly not illegal or against any regulations.

Any advice appreciated.

If the 'buyer' doesn't like it, tell them to go buy some other house. Or similar.

 

[John D v2.0]

If the 'buyer' doesn't like it, tell them to go buy some other house. Or similar.

Flame port, is spot on here despite being blunt. You can go out of your way to be helpful and try to pre empt their problems with various report, but at the end of the day they have no clue either and it basically boils down to price.
Basically tell them as far as youryo aware it's correct and legal, but they are welcome to do any reports to decide what they want to do after completion. But tell t since it's fine in your opinion you won't be making a contribution to any work they would like to do. Otherwise you'll end up knocking money off for non problems.

And for the record it's as above - the gas bonding. Water should also be bombed in most cases, and there should be a main earth too connected to the actual earth provision.

 

[JohnW2]

.... Basically tell them as far as youryo aware it's correct and legal, but they are welcome to do any reports to decide what they want to do after completion. But tell t since it's fine in your opinion you won't be making a contribution to any work they would like to do. Otherwise you'll end up knocking money off for non problems.

Very much so. In fact, even if I knew something was wrong, I'd tell them that the asking price took that into account, so that they could 'take it or leave it' at that price!

And for the record it's as above - the gas bonding. Water should also be bombed in most cases, and there should be a main earth too connected to the actual earth provision.

Exactly. As I said at the start, provided it is gas bonding, it's fine (and compliant and 'legal') as it is - so, provided there is also a 'main earth' (DNO-supplied or a local rod) (and probably also water bonding), with everything connected together properly, then all is OK.

Kind Regards, John

 

[ban-all-sheds]

As long as it is not clipped to a gas pipe.