UK Earth Rod Connection

[Pip]

Is this an acceptable connection to an earth rod?

And is the water bond really necessary? (New duel RCD board recently fitted)

 

[Wilko]

Hi - that rod looks like it’s seriously rusted so I would not have used it myself. I doubt the clamp has made good connection through that rust, so for me it’s not ok.

Bonding to water may not be required if the incoming main is plastic and there are tests to confirm.

 

[telectrix]

No and No.

 

[Pip]

Hi - that rod looks like it’s seriously rusted so I would not have used it myself. I doubt the clamp has made good connection through that rust, so for me it’s not ok.

Bonding to water may not be required if the incoming main is plastic and there are tests to confirm.

Yes my thoughts exactly, A new board was fitted in April, and the earth/bonding cables upgraded, this is how it was done.

I've reconfigured some circuits in the property and have replaced this connection with a larger clamp, and have a Ze reading of 190 ohm. (Previously fluctuating to any number you want) And have brought the Zs readings down from 213 to 63.7
Will discuss with the client replacing for a new rod.

Incoming main is plastic, and I know they renewed the gas pipe only a year ago also.

 

[telectrix]

Rod is too close to the building. try a new rod ( screwed togehter rods down to about 12 ft. surround rod with a bag of cat litter.

 

[pirate]

I love a new gadget!

LINIAN Earth Rod Pro | LINIAN Fire Clip The Faster-Fixing Cable Clip

A simple and effective solution which bores through hard top layers and underground rock to achieve a secure Earth Rod connection first time.

www.linianclip.co.uk

 

[snowhead]

I love a new gadget!

"Looks like we've hit a rock under the paver"

NO, that was probably the gas / water / Foul drain pipe you just went through..

And how was he planning to connect the cable to that rod, Over the top of the block?

 

[multimick]

never seen a metal rod before i thought they were all copper? shocking job by the way

 

[Strima]

never seen a metal rod before i thought they were all copper? shocking job by the way

They're normally copper coated steel. Solid copper would just bend and buckle when banging it in.

 

[telectrix]

They're normally copper coated steel. Solid copper would just bend and buckle when banging it in.

that one, though, looks like rust coated mild steel.

 

[Lister1987]

Rod is too close to the building. try a new rod ( screwed togehter rods down to about 12 ft. surround rod with a bag of cat litter.

I'll bite; why cat litter? absorbsant material?

 

[telectrix]

I'll bite; why cat litter? absorbsant material?

yep. it holds moisture. think always and/or tenna lady, see the ads. when wet, it's as good as bentonite, but way cheaper.

 

[davesparks]

never seen a metal rod before i thought they were all copper? shocking job by the way

Errrrrm, they are all metal, they wouldn't work very well if they were made of wood!

 

[multimick]

smart arse i meant steel

 

[davesparks]

Is this an acceptable connection to an earth rod?

And is the water bond really necessary?

No the connection is not acceptable.

The bond may or may not be needed depending on test results.

 

[DefyG]

And an enclosure around it, not exposed to the elements!

 

[telectrix]

rods are never copper. steel with a few microns of copper coating. tapes may be copper, like lightning conductors. that's why the pikeys nick 'em.

 

[Risteard]

never seen a metal rod before i thought they were all copper? shocking job by the way

I was pretty certain that copper was, in fact, a metal.

 

[davesparks]

rods are never copper.

I've learned from this, and other forums, to avoid making statements like that, because inevitably someone will point out that such things are available. I tend to say things like normally, generally etc.

Furse Solid Copper and Stainless Steel Earth Rod

new.abb.com