Water pipes not earthed ?? Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[Kris]

Howdo all

I recently had a spark in doing some work but he could not issue me
with the relevent cert's as the water pipes werent earthed. The gas pipes
were but not the water pipes.
He said its usually done under the kitchen sink but he searched
everywhere and found nothing.

He said i should contact the original house builder as it was only built in
2003. I have done so, but had no reply from yet.

The whole house is done in plastic pipe but there are copper pipes under
the sink supplying cold water.

Ive had mixed responses from people and just wanted some advice on
what you chaps think ??

cheers

Kris

[stoneyboy]

Kris,
If you have metal pipework coming out of the main stopcock under the sink then you should have a main protective conductor of 10mm section going back to the suppliers main earthing terminal.
However I suspect the presence of plastic pipes elsewhere will lead to differing opinions regarding earthing.
end

[sparx]

Hi Kris,
Your leckie should still have issued a cert with exceptions as he has done work before checking on main bonding.
Even if most of house is in polypipe the stopcock should have enough metal pipe to fit an earth clamp. This is normal practice in 'park homes' which are all plastic except for first 150mm which is copper for this purpose.
I often get funny looks when I check earth bonds before quoting for any work! I tell the potential client if it needs updating & if they think i'm trying to add to the price I walk away from job!
At least your leckie bothered to check, albeit a little late.
Imho the water needs bonding,
regards SPARX

[SparkyPaul]

If the incoming supply is in poly and the house is in poly then as long as there is enough to provide isolation bonding isn't needed
As for a short length of copper after the stop tap - replace that with poly and you don't need to bond