Equipotential bonding required for new boiler?

[ebee]

Yup. With copper pipework for radiators at a boiler one might decide to put a bond on the HW pipe to the rads and even to the return too if you consider the pipework for the rads might likely be picking up an earth potential but is is unlikely that anyone would supp bond lnks to the rad pipes to the rad in any event just to ensure going on forever. Therefore incoming cold water and gas , probable CH pipework at the boiler and any exposed structural girders etc if they touching an earthy bit. That is probably the limit in most dwellings and suchlike in any event. It might not even be necessary to bond the incoming water or gas either.

Door handles and window frames have always been a big no really but some, pretty widely held powerful myths were held a while back and that had a life of its own

 

[ebee]

We should construct some list of big myths like "Electricians always do rings" LOL

 

[JohnW2]

Yup. With copper pipework for radiators at a boiler one might decide to put a bond on the HW pipe to the rads and even to the return too if you consider the pipework for the rads might likely be picking up an earth potential but is is unlikely that anyone would supp bond lnks to the rad pipes to the rad in any event just to ensure going on forever. Therefore incoming cold water and gas , probable CH pipework at the boiler and any exposed structural girders etc if they touching an earthy bit. That is probably the limit in most dwellings and suchlike in any event. It might not even be necessary to bond the incoming water or gas either.

As I've observed, people do get struck by lightning

 

[JohnW2]

We should construct some list of big myths like "Electricians always do rings" LOL

The same is true in very many fields - not just 'electrics'. Such is human nature!

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Furthermore, Harry has yet to clarify whether he really has earthed his radiators, rather than just the pipework. I've just tested a couple of the radiators in my (all copper plumbing) house, and they appear to not be earthed, even though the pipework is earthed, presumably due to the PTFE tape.

The radiators, have lugs welded to them, and the lugs all have an earth wire attached.

 

[EFLImpudence]

The radiators, have lugs welded to them, and the lugs all have an earth wire attached.

So - not bonded, then.

 

[JohnW2]

The radiators, have lugs welded to them, and the lugs all have an earth wire attached.

Interesting; I'm not sure I've seen that.

However, per EFLI's comment, have you earthed or bonded the radiators (and, if the latter, what have you bonded them to)?

 

[pete01]

I'm confused as normal....I've just self tappered an earth wire into my radiator and flooded my house......lol.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Interesting; I'm not sure I've seen that.

However, per EFLI's comment, have you earthed or bonded the radiators (and, if the latter, what have you bonded them to)?

I didn't do anything, they were all bonded during the last refurb. The bonding system end point, is at the consumer unit.

 

[JohnW2]

I'm confused as normal....I've just self tappered an earth wire into my radiator and flooded my house......lol.

 

[JohnW2]

I didn't do anything, they were all bonded during the last refurb.

Oh, I thought that you had 'done it' because you felt that it was necessary.

The bonding system end point, is at the consumer unit.

Are you saying that each and every radiator in your house is connected by G/Y cables back to the CU (I presume MET)?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Are you saying that each and every radiator in your house is connected by G/Y cables back to the CU (I presume MET)?

Yes, has you have found, you cannot necessarily rely upon continuity being provided by the pipework.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Are you saying that each and every radiator in your house is connected by G/Y cables back to the CU (I presume MET)?

Lets assume that that were the case with plastic piping throughout.
This earthing having been done because the householder is afraid the radiators might become live by touching a damaged live wire somewhere.

This would mean that the radiators would now need bonding to any exposed- or extraneous-conductive-parts that were simultaneously accessible.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

This would mean that the radiators would now need bonding to any exposed- or extraneous-conductive-parts that were simultaneously accessible.

and assuming, as is the case here, that all metalwork which could possible, reasonably become live, is bonded - then where is the risk?

 

[flameport]

in the process of fixing the radiator, putting a support bracket fixing screw through a live cable, and thus making the radiator live.

Theoretically possible, but bonding everything and increasing the risks for everyone in all locations is not the answer to that extremely improbable situation.

Nobody wants or needs a situation where everything is bonded including the picture hooks.