Advice needed on unconnected earth wire.

[Michael Lammas]

Hi all.

Apologies of this is in the wrong place.

I am looking for some advice. I had a new consumer unit in 2016 which is fine however I have just noticed an earth wire coming out of the bottom which isn't connected. I'm not sure if I has always been this way or not?

There is another earth wire running along the top connected to some piping so I'm not sure of that's why this one isn't connected?

Any advice would be appreciated. Didn't want to call an electrician and waste someone's time if it's not an issue plus if it just needs putting back somewhere I can do that.

 

[DT1991]

At first glance that's your Earthing conductor?

 

[Michael Lammas]

At first glance that's your Earthing conductor?

So it should be connected then?

 

[westward10]

As above there is every chance that is the earthing conductor so yes contact an electrician to investigate.

 

[Michael Lammas]

As above there is every chance that is the earthing conductor so yes contact an electrician to investigate.

Is there not some way that I could find out where it should be and just reconnect it? Seems like a waste of someone's time just to come out and connect a wire.

 

[Strima]

Looks like the earthing conductor, also the head looks like TN-S sorted quite recently as that braid looks very clean.

Do you have any certification for the work carried out?

Get an electrician in to confirm.

 

[westward10]

Is there not some way that I could find out where it should be and just reconnect it? Seems like a waste of someone's time just to come out and connect a wire.

It will not be a waste of someone's time at all.

 

[Charlie_]

Very important that you get that cable connected back up asap.

 

[Gary latto]

I'm in mist of learning to hopefully get my 18th this year so correct me if I'm wrong but shouldn't the bonding be before any joints on pipework and within 600mm of meter

 

[westward10]

I suggest you do not touch the bare end nor the shiny braided part as you may be exposed to the risk of electric shock. Call an electrician.

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

Wow, someones made a boo boo there

 

[Pete999]

You may want to contact the DNO electricity supplier for advice, as it looks lie the Electrician that fitted your New CU has left the L and N Tails as well as an Earthing conductor and the DNO meter fitter ignored it, without seeing the complete installation it's hard to decipher, seems as though the DNO hasn't provided an MET Main Earthing Terminal, shoddy in my book, call them as a matter of urgency, the meter fitter want's Castrating without an anaesthetic, and with a blunt knife, for leaving it like that. Was mothing sai at the time of connection? or did the meterman leave his brains in the van, if he had any to start with. shocking work.

 

[Charlie_]

Then all the cables need to be secured properly to prevent anything coming loose and floating round

 

[Dustydazzler]

I knew there was something I forgot to do...….

 

[Dustydazzler]

It also looks like the electrician left in a right old hurry as he left his drill , drill bits and screws behind…..

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

Any chance of stepping back and taking a wide angle shot of the lot

 

[Pete999]

I knew there was something I forgot to do...….

I gave a funny Chaz, but it's hardly a joking matter is it, mot having a dig appreciate the humour in the reply

 

[Michael Lammas]

It also looks like the electrician left in a right old hurry as he left his drill , drill bits and screws behind…..

Those would be my tools in the under stairs cupboard. The work was done in 2016 so I would be worried if the electricians tools were still there!

 

[littlespark]

Was that a consumer unit fitted by “the boiler people”?
That kind of explains it.

The disconnected earth wire needs to be connected to the MET, main earth terminal, which in turn is connected to the suppliers earth.
I advise that you contact whoever changed the CU to find out why it wasn’t connected, and your supplier to ask the same thing.
You could connect it yourself, if you can see where it should go.... but an electrician would be able to say if it’s actually doing what it’s supposed to once connected.

It doesn’t appear to have any termination screw markings, which suggests it’s never been connected to anything.... rather than just falling out a loose screw.

It is a matter of urgency you have this investigated by a professional. You may not have an earth protecting your property if there were to be a fault.

 

[DT1991]

Edited my message out because as stated dont know who is responsible.