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t20f.txt
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1998-10-14
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Summary
You may need to improve the earth bonding arrangements in your
home to conform to current I.E.E. wiring regulations.
Or, if you are installing a new shower unit or similar,
you will need to install a new earth bonding arrangement to suit.
1 Safety first
2 Seeking professional help or advice
3 The main earth terminal
4 Main equipotential bonding
5 The bonding clamp
6 Devices for isolating and switching
circuits in a bathroom
7 Connecting portable equipment in
a bathroom
8 Luminaries for bathrooms
9 Equipotential bonding in bathrooms
Tools
Pliers, side cutters, cable stripper, blade knife,
steel tape, electric drill, screwdrivers
Materials
Earth bonding clamps, 4mm 2 earth cable,
electrical fittings suitable for bathrooms
Step 1 - Safety first
Never work on any part of the electrical installation
without first switching off the supply at the consumer
unit and, where possible, removing the circuit fuse.
Always unplug any electrical appliance before doing
any work on it. Check all connections are secure and
all covers have been replaced before you turn the
electricity on again.
Step 2 - Seeking professional help or advice
If you donÆt feel competent to do a particular job,
always seek the advice of a professional electrician.
Make sure that any person you hire is fully qualified.
A person registered with the Electrical Contractors
Association/ NICEIC, will be approved for undertaking
this type of work and will be well versed in all the
wiring regulations for electrical installations in
buildings.
Step 3 - The main earth terminal
The main earth terminal needs to be mounted close to
the supply companyÆs incoming service fuse. This
substantial, earth terminal bar should be labelled
with all connections visible and clearly identified.
Arrangements for supplying and connecting the short
length of supply earthing lead would normally need
to be approved by the supply company.
Step 4 - Main equipotential bonding
Services that pass into the ground may pick up different
ground potentials, depending on the various earth leakage
currents passing in the vicinity of the buried pipes.
These voltage differences must not be carried by these
services into the home. Consequently, the water service
pipe, gas installation pipe and central heating system
are all bonded to the common potential of the main
earthing point.
Step 5 - Bonding Clamp
An earth clamp is used to make the connection to the
metal pipework. For the gas and water services connection
is made close to the point of entry, see Step 2 for
location of the bonding connections. Scrape off any
paintwork from pipe and polish with wire wool before
securing the clamp, attach the bonding conductor and
make sure the safety label is fixed. Allow reasonable
access to these connections.
Step 6 - Devices for isolating and switching circuits
in a bathroom
Except were the controls for electrical shower units or
pumps comply with the appropriate British Standard, all
other switches must be positioned so as to be inaccessible
to a person using a bath or shower. Isolating switches
should be of a pull-cord-operated type.
Step 7 - Connecting portable equipment in a bathroom
Except for the provision of a special electric shaver
supply unit, there must be no socket outlet or any other
arrangement for connecting portable equipment. In a room,
other than one used specifically as a bathroom or shower
room, any socket outlet must be installed at least 2.5m
from the shower cubicle.
Step 8 - Luminaries for Bathrooms
Light fittings must be at least 2.5m from the bath or shower.
Totally enclosed luminaries, fitted up to the ceiling are
recommended.
Step 9 - Equipotential Bonding in Bathrooms
Unfortunately, during the short period needed to clear a
circuit fault, the exposed metalwork in the bathroom can
become charged to different voltage levels. Simultaneously,
touching two separate metal surfaces, each charged to a
different voltage, can cause a shock. Equipotential bonding
of exposed metal surface limits the likely voltage differences
to a safe level.