Will new Consumer Unit need to be bonded?

[vonsworld]

Hello
I have an old Wylex fuse box with wired fuses and am considering having it upgraded to a modern unit. The only bonding on the existing box is to the gas pipe which is a short distance away.

Will an electrician also want to bond the new consumer unit to the water or other pipes?

The water pipe goes into the back of the house and the fusebox is at the front. So running an earth cable between the two would be a big job.

Thanks for your advice.

 

[ericmark]

Since 2008 the amount of bonding has been reduced, as long as you have RCD protection.

 

[Risteard]

Since 2008 the amount of bonding has been reduced, as long as you have RCD protection.

That has nothing whatsoever to do with main protective bonding. If the water pipework is an extraneous-conductive-part then it MUST be bonded before ANY electrical work can be carried out.

 

[ericmark]

If the water pipework is an extraneous-conductive-part

The main word is extraneous, so where the water enters the property yes, if not plastic, and where the gas enters the property yes if not plastic, but even then one has to be careful to get right side of any isolating part.

If you bond gas to the PEN and the PEN breaks, then unless there is some isolating part, all the current will try to go through the gas pipe, this could be 400 amp, and in the main the gas pipe will not take 400 amp.

So we have the big bang theory, thieves steal copper, current then goes down gas pipe, which melts, and ignites, but it is the thieves fault, not the supply authority for not thinking if we combine neutral and earth and some one steals copper or hits the cable with a band jack there will be a big bang.

It is not easy I know, to tell some one this needs bonding, but don't bond that, in the main as long as RCD's are fitted no wucking forries.

 

[EFLImpudence]

I have an old Wylex fuse box with wired fuses and am considering having it upgraded to a modern unit. The only bonding on the existing box is to the gas pipe which is a short distance away.

Ok.

Will an electrician also want to bond the new consumer unit to the water or other pipes?

IF the Main Earthing Terminal is in the consumer unit if necessary, then - yes.

Presumably he would use the same cable - although it might require a larger one than when yours was installed.

The MET might be near the incoming electric supply and fuse.

The water pipe goes into the back of the house and the fusebox is at the front. So running an earth cable between the two would be a big job.

Where does the water pipe enter the premises? Is it a metal pipe?

 

[securespark]

no wucking forries.

I think this is the first time I have seen eric "swearing"!

 

[Risteard]

Ok.


IF the Main Earthing Terminal is in the consumer unit if necessary, then - yes.

Presumably he would use the same cable - although it might require a larger one than when yours was installed.

The MET might be near the incoming electric supply and fuse.


Where does the water pipe enter the premises? Is it a metal pipe?

Even if the MET is not in the DB it will have to be done if extraneous.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Yes, but it won't have to run to the DB (CU), will it?

 

[Risteard]

Yes, but it won't have to run to the DB (CU), will it?

It will have to run to the MET, irregardless of where that is.

 

[EFLImpudence]

It will have to run to the MET, irregardless of where that is.

Yes but not run to where it isn't.

"irregardless" ?



I think you need to reread the thread.

 

[Risteard]

Yes but not run to where it isn't.

"irregardless" ?



I think you need to reread the thread.

It's certainly not clear that the water main is currently bonded. "Irregardless" is a word - it means the same thing as "regardless".