Should my boiler be earthed?

[chuckstre77]

Hi guys, i have recently had lots of problems with my backboiler, although the problems appear to be solved now, i have a query. The boiler is a potterton house warmer with a heating system. The control unit earth isnt connected to anything, its just "floating" behind the programmer, the same applies for the the bolier & mains earth to the programmer too. Now, in no electrician, but im sure that isnt correct. What is the best way to earth these?

 

[Spark123]

The boiler and programmer should be connected to the circuit protective conductor (earth wire) of the circuit which supplies them. How is the supply from the FCU connected to the boiler etc, 3 core flex?

 

[JohnD]

they should all be connected to the earth wire of the circuit that supplies the controls. Probably this comes off the downstairs socket circuit, preferably through a Switched Fused Connection unit with a 3A or 5A fuse in it. You can get 4mm green-and-yellow insulated wire for this at any electrical or plumbing counter, it is also used for supplementary bonding in bathrooms.

there is a possibility that someone disconnected it to hide an electrical fault.

Additionally, the incoming water main and gas main should be main-bonded where they enter the house, usually with 10mm G&Y. there is more info available on this in our Wiki.

 

[ericmark]

Hi guys, i have recently had lots of problems with my backboiler, although the problems appear to be solved now, i have a query.

Was this work done by a registered person under Part P?

The boiler is a potterton house warmer with a heating system. The control unit earth isnt connected to anything, its just "floating" behind the programmer,

Although this at first seems wrong maybe it does not require an earth is there a

sign on the programmer is so then OK not to be connected to earth but I would no have left it loose it should be so it can't touch anything live.

the same applies for the the bolier & mains earth to the programmer too. Now, in no electrician, but im sure that isnt correct. What is the best way to earth these?

I would not think the boiler will be double insulated but is this earth to boiler or from boiler? It is very likely there is a fault here which needs correcting but I am careful not to say it is defiantly wrong. So don't shout at guy who did the work too much in case there is after all some reasonable explanation.

 

[chuckstre77]

Thanks guys, i have connected the earth to the mains earth.

Cheers

 

[gas4you]

Probably this comes off the downstairs socket circuit, preferably through a Switched Fused Connection unit with a 3A or 5A fuse in it.

Gas regs state 3 amp fuse must be used on domestic boilers.

 

[chuckstre77]

The boiler does have a 3am fuse on the mains