EICR code

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

What code would be offered to, equipotential bonding routed externally and connected to gas services at a height of about 250mm from floor level, where the cable is not routed in any containment or offered protection from environmental conditions or external influences?

 

[EFLImpudence]

Nicely clipped to wall or draped over garden?

10mm²?

Is 250mm above floor where it enters premises?

 

[ericmark]

I look at the ESC Best practice guide number 4 issue 3 and shake my head at some of the suggested codes.

We should look at the basic code
C1 = Danger Present
C2 = Potentially dangerous
C3 = Improvement recommended

The C1 and C2 are reasonable easy if there are any bare wires or live parts then C1 and if a second fault with cause bare wires or live parts then C2 that's easy enough the examples however do include however immersion heater not complying with BS EN 60335-2-7-3 and I would say the fault described may result in danger but it's not really an electrical fault and they have missed out one very important point there are plastic tanks that will stand boiling water and plastic tanks that will not and only the latter means there would be danger.

There are other points as well a RCBO-v may with a TT system where the earth is routed through the device be a C2 but often these devices have just been left as isolators also of course with TN if the earth is not by-passed then the device would still work and if by-passed then it would depend on the ELI.

But even the Guide states under "Departures from the requirements of the current edition of BS 7671 that do not give rise to danger or need improvement" states:-

Amendment 1 to BS 7671: 2008 no longer requires departures from the requirements of the current edition of BS 7671 that do not give rise to danger or require improvement to be included in condition reports.

It is very easy to miss-read I had read in the past for example "Inadequate number of socket-outlets. (Code C3 or, where appropriate C2, if extension leads run through doorways, walls or windows, or under carpets, or are otherwise being used in an unsafe manner)" as a coding but it is actually under the heading of items which should NOT be coded.

So reading the new Best Practice Guide I would say likely the fault you describe would not be coded.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Nicely clipped to wall or draped over garden?

10mm²?

Is 250mm above floor where it enters premises?

The cable comes from the property about 250mm from property and is then clamped to gas pipe, no clips but only a short length and 10mm². I get the impression that at some stage the gas meter was positioned within the property, and now has been placed in external cabinet, so the original cable was used to clamp outside, but was not long enough to enter the cabinet. The BS951 is compliant to external environment. i was of the understanding that equipotential bonding conductors when routed externally, require to have protection against mechanical damage and environmental damage.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Are you thinking of buried conductors or supplementary bonding/ CPC minimum 2.5mm² if protected or 4mm² if not?

If the situation regarding moving the meter outside is the case, cannot the conductor be connected inside?
Was the installer one of those who thinks it has to be connected near the meter wherever it is?

I can't see there is anything wrong with it as described.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

I just had something stuck in the back off my head regarding externally routed MEB, I have always when the situation occurred/dictated, run mine externally within conduit. Might just be be me!

Not sure what the installer was thinking, but looks like possibly a kitchen may have been installed at same time as the connection and clamp to water services is also inaccessible, but you can see the conductor looped through the back of the base unit, in the direction of a very small access hole for stopcock/tap.