Main Eearthing Conductor - Fabric ????

[Mark Wright]

See picture below the Main Earthing Conductor is some kind of Fabric?

 

[DPG]

Fabric? Surely that's steel braid?

 

[snowhead]

Fine strands of wire made into a braid, been around forever, just like the woodworm in that backboard.

 

[Mark Wright]

Ok brilliant. Would the DNO replace this and would they charge?

 

[snowhead]

The DNO fitted it, they won't replace it

 

[pc1966]

It will be tin-plated copper braid. Quite common for earth bonding in certain systems.

Nothing wrong with it if it meets CSA for earth, and works very well with things like constant-force springs.

For example:

Flat Copper Braid – Copper Braid Products

www.copperbraid.co.uk

 

[Mark Wright]

Really looks like it should be upgraded?

 

[DPG]

Really looks like it should be upgraded?

What's the equivalent CSA size compared to a stranded copper conductor?

 

[mainline]

What's the equivalent CSA size compared to a stranded copper conductor?

Cross Sectional Area mm2	Width mm	Thickness mm	Current rating Amps
0.75	2.5	0.5	15
2.1	5	1	30
6	10	1	63
10	14	1.5	90
16	19	2	120
25	20	3	150
35	25	3	195
50	30	3.5	250
50	40	3	250
70	40	3.5	300
100	40	4	360
100	50	4	360
200	50	8	600
200	60	6	600

 

[davesparks]

Really looks like it should be upgraded?

Why? Because it's a bit dirty and greasy?

 

[timhoward]

It’s normally the case that where you see this it is TNS earthing and when the PFC is measured the braid will sufficiently satisfy the adiabatic equation.
If it’s TNS there is no requirement of min 10 sq mm main bonds.
So while you won’t see this example in the On Site Guide it can usually be proved to be compliant.