What does Earth Bonding involve?

[JohnW2]

It did include the word 'and'.

OK - so does that mean that I might have been right in suggesting that it was simply a 'package' of two totally unrelated things that both happened to relate to 'safety'? ... or what?

Kind Regards, John

 

[EFLImpudence]

I think that it is/was more just a term used - now shorter.

On the schedule of inspections in BS7671, the section

3.0 ADS
3.1 Presence and adequacy of earthing and protective bonding arrangements

then various things to confirm and tick.

 

[JohnW2]

On the schedule of inspections in BS7671, the section
3.0 ADS
3.1 Presence and adequacy of earthing and protective bonding arrangements

Fair enough - but, as I've said repeatedly, it makes little sense to me, since I don't understand what "protective bonding arrangements" have got to do with ADS.

What am I missing?

Kind Regards, John

 

[John D v2.0]

From the regs point of view the question they care about is how are you going to prevent electric shock. The answer can be one of a few things
"
The protective measures that we generally permit in BS 7671 are:

• ADS;
• double or reinforced insulation;
• electrical separation for the supply to one item of current-using equipment; and
• extra-low voltage (SELV and PELV).

"
From https://electrical.theiet.org/wiring-matters/issues/52/protection-against-electric-shock/
It then goes on to explain what they mean by ADS.

I think you're reading the acronym and trying to understand what it means, but actually the acronym only is useful in the context of the regs

 

[JohnW2]

From the regs point of view the question they care about is how are you going to prevent electric shock. The answer can be one of a few things ...

Indeed - but I'd say that only one of those things is "ADS".

From https://electrical.theiet.org/wiring-matters/issues/52/protection-against-electric-shock/
It then goes on to explain what they mean by ADS. ... I think you're reading the acronym and trying to understand what it means, but actually the acronym only is useful in the context of the regs

That article is very clear in saying what 'ADS' means ...

... automatic disconnection of supply (ADS) using overcurrent protective devices ...

... and the section in the article about ADS say nothing about any other meanings of the abbreviation/acronym. I don't really understand why you are trying to make us believe that ADS means something more than ADS.

Kind Regards, John

 

[EFLImpudence]

Well, the section includes earthing conductors.

Could it just be that they are the same colour and/or lack of understanding?

 

[EFLImpudence]

Ah. Just thought.

If the section was still headed EEB & ADS then that would be alright.

 

[John D v2.0]

Maybe you're reading a different part of the article to me
"
ADS is a protective measure that includes both basic and fault protection. These two forms of protection are described in BS 7671 as follows:

(i) basic protection is provided by basic insulation of live parts or by barriers or enclosures, in accordance with Section 416, and

(ii) fault protection is provided by protective earthing, protective equipotential bonding and automatic disconnection in case of a fault, in accordance with Regulations 411.3 to 6.
"

 

[JohnW2]

Well, the section includes earthing conductors. Could it just be that they are the same colour and/or lack of understanding?

Anything is possible

Kind Regards, John

 

[John D v2.0]

I don't really understand why you are trying to make us believe that ADS means something more than ADS.

That's a bit uncalled for, you're implying I'm intending to mislead you, which is certainly not the case

 

[JohnW2]

Ah. Just thought. If the section was still headed EEB & ADS then that would be alright.

Up to a point, but I would probably still be asking why two totally different things had been put in the same section!

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnW2]

Maybe you're reading a different part of the article to me

Ah, I missed that - the 'ADS section' I looked at was a screen or so below that one. Apologies.

ADS is a protective measure that includes both basic and fault protection. These two forms of protection are described in BS 7671 as follows:
(i) basic protection is provided by basic insulation of live parts or by barriers or enclosures, in accordance with Section 416, and
(ii) fault protection is provided by protective earthing, protective equipotential bonding and automatic disconnection in case of a fault, in accordance with Regulations 411.3 to 6. "

Well, for what it's worth, I would regard that as nonsense.

Having earlier defined what the abbreviation 'ADS' means, it is just one small part of (ii) of the above. To suggest that all of (i) and (ii) are part of 'ADS' ('Automatic Disconnection of Supply') seems quite ridiculous. Quite apart from bonding, what on earth have basic insulation, barriers and enclosures got to do with (any sensible understanding of the meaning of) 'ADS'?

Kind Regards, John

 

[JohnW2]

That's a bit uncalled for, you're implying I'm intending to mislead you, which is certainly not the case

You know I'm not implying that you are deliberately misleading us - but, regardless of what you are finding written (by whoever) in the various magazines, I would imagine/hope that you would agree that it totally defies common sense to regard many of these other things that are being discussed (bonding, basic insulation, enclosures etc.) as being "part of ADS"? That's a bit like suggesting that things like seat belts and airbags are part of 'the braking system' of a vehicle, since all of those things are safety-related and, at least in part, there to prevent injuries (c.f. ADS, bonding and basic insulation all being there to prevent electric shocks).

Kind Regards, John

 

[securespark]

the house has no earth on the lighting circuit, since this was not required when it was built in 1968.

I don't know what the changeover period was between the 13th and 14th editions but my previous house (also built in 1968) has earthed lighting.

As far as the bonding goes, it was required in the 14th, introduced 1 October 1966, but yes, the sizes would have been smaller, also imperial sizes too.

 

[John D v2.0]

Well I think we understand each other, your position is that if it's what they think it is it should be called EEBADS or ABCDEFG or something else random, and not misleadingly call it ADS.
My position is that when I mentioned it in my post, I was meaning according to the iet definition, and anyway my original point still stands that bonding is important.