Verify Main bonding? Test method for Tags?

[CountryFan]

I attended a job the other day and couldn’t visually see the main bonding connection and tbh didn’t have the time to pull the washing machine out and check. Is there a way to test if there’s a connection, or does it need to be visually inspected?

Aside: I sometimes have to connect the bonding as the tag is loose, not connected at all, or sometimes a pipe or Meter may have been changed and someone hasn’t connected one up. Do I need to test afterwards, or is it just a case of it being tight? I usually test (using my multimeter on ohms or continuity ) between the pipe or bonding connection and either the MET or a known earth point - eg fcu screw. I’m not sure if what I’m doing is right, hence me asking on here.

Thanks in advance again for any insight offered

 

[ericmark]

The loop impedance tester is used to test earth/bonding, and they are expensive. I bought one, and not convinced it is doing what it says on the tin. The RCD tester works OK, but the loop impedance seems to give some odd results. So buying cheap is not the way to go.

 

[securespark]

You should get continuity of 0.05 Ohms or less between gas, oil or water pipes and the MET on 10mm² cable.

But unless you can find the end of the PEB cables at the supply pipes, it will be impractical to isolate the rest of the earth installation to get an accurate reading .

 

[pete01]

When I was at college I was told to visually check it, dont use an excuse of crap in the way.

So thats what I do now im a bit obsessed with finding bonding connections lol.

 

[pete01]

As an example last week I was testing this water bond and getting no continuity...so I pulled and someone had just poked the cable into the ceiling....or it had been stripped out at some point.

Always spend a bit of time on the bonding.

 

[CountryFan]

You should get continuity of 0.05 Ohms or less between gas, oil or water pipes and the MET on 10mm² cable.

I usually get 0.2 or 0.3 ohms. Not sure if it’s the setting on my auto ranging mm.

 

[CountryFan]

When I was at college I was told to visually check it, dont use an excuse of crap in the way.

I do normally have a look and usually make sure it’s tight too. We have an option to pass it on if it’s not visible, I just wanted to know if the test I’m doing is ok. Vast majority of our properties have the connection where needed. However, some of our sparks aren’t arsed about it being after a branch.

 

[securespark]

When I was at college I was told to visually check it, dont use an excuse of crap in the way.

So thats what I do now im a bit obsessed with finding bonding connections lol.

Yup.

I tried to check bonding once. Found a new strap on a water pipe. Bit of 10mm disappearing under the floor.

Gave it a tug. After a few centimeters, I got a cut off end...