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supplementary equipotential earthing |
Supplementary bonding is done using minimum 4mm2 Earthing cable ( green and yellow) and involves making a safe equipotential zone, this is normally in the bathroom. The rules for supplementary bonding in kitchens has been relaxed and there is no specific requirement to carry out supplementary bonding in domestic kitchens, wash rooms and lavatories that do not have a bath or shower. That is not to say that supplementary bonding in a kitchen or wash room is wrong (it would be wrong for plastic pipes) but it is not necessary.
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In a bathroom all metal pipes and all electrical items
require supplementary bonding, so the light needs bonding to the metal pipe
work, this includes a separate earth clamp on each pipe beneath the Basin
and bath, the central heating pipes, the pipe to the shower and the shower
itself (if electric) any shaver sockets or other electrical outlets also
need bonding to the metal pipe work to create a safe equipotential zone.
This is not as difficult as it sounds because you do not need to use a individual wire for each earth clamp, you can use one single wire as long as you do not cut it. Details of how to achieve this are in the connecting earth wire section below.
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Cold water pipe |
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Hot water pipe |
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Earth clamp, with safety Label |
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Central heating pipes |
| Earthing | |
| Cable |
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BEFORE CONNECTING ANY WIRE TO EITHER THE CONSUMER UNIT OR ANY ELECTRICAL OUTLET, SOCKET OR LIGHTING POINT YOU MUST ENSURE THAT THE ELECTRICITY IS SWITCHED OFF AT THE MAIN SWITCH ON THE CONSUMER UNIT / FUSE BOX |
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If you have an airing cupboard and hot water cylinder, the metal pipes all need supplementary bonding together. |
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If you have any plastic water tanks then to provide continuity of earth it is essential that the metal pipes entering and exiting the tank are Bridged with clamps and minimum 4mm2 earthing wire. |
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Earth clamp |
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Earth wire |
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Earthing Plastic pipes
Plastic pipes do not need earthing, this PDF document by Paul Cook explains why |
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Main equipotential Bonding
For information on Main bonding please click here
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