Update main bonding for like for like ??

[ianphilip007]

hi guys

just wondered how others were dealing with the situation of being called for a like for like light or any other replacement where you find no or undersized water or gas main bonding.

Do you not carry out the like for like change until the main bonding has been upgraded/installed and more than likely loose the original job

or do you advise the customer re bonding upgrade/install required and proceed with the like for like replacement.

 

[ianphilip007]

reg 132.16 states (short version)

No addition or alteration, temporary or peremanent shall be made to an existing installation. Furthermore earthing and bonding should be adequate

like for like replacement is this a alteration or addition ???

i dont really think it is as nothing is being added or altered so does this mean you can carry out a like for like replacement without having to upgrade the bonding ??? clear as mud lol

 

[Engineer54]

You can't replace, say a 6mm (or it's imperial equivalent) with a new 6mm. It must be replaced with A 10mm conductor to comply with the current BS7671. Is this what you were asking?? As Ian stated, your post is as clear as mud on what your actually asking!! lol!!

 

[ianphilip007]

lol good point, no im not talking about replacing the undersized bonding with undersized bonding lol. i was talking about when your called to replace on a like for like basis a light fitting or a extractor fan only to find the existing bonding is not adequate.

does the exisiting bonding have to be upgraded as you quite rightly stated to 10mm or if it is not present installed to allow the original like for like replacement of the light or extractor fan.

or can you advise the customer re bonding and fit like for like replacement light/fan

 

[Engineer54]

lol good point, no im not talking about replacing the undersized bonding with undersized bonding lol. i was talking about when your called to replace on a like for like basis a light fitting or a extractor fan only to find the existing bonding is not adequate.

does the exisiting bonding have to be upgraded as you quite rightly stated to 10mm or if it is not present installed to allow the original like for like replacement of the light or extractor fan.

or can you advise the customer re bonding and fit like for like replacement light/fan

Then NO, not unless your doing a CU change, then i would say you would need to upgrade main earthing and bonding conductors to BS7671. Though i'm sure some will not agree!! lol!!

 

[ianphilip007]

even for a like for like ?? or have i mis read what you meant .

 

[ianphilip007]

for a CU change then the bonding would definately need to be upgraded or installed to comply with bs7671. For a circuit addition or alteration i think the bonding would need to be installed or upgraded if not adequate to comply with bs7671.

for like for like replacements that is the question

 

[Octopus]

for a CU change then the bonding would definately need to be upgraded or installed to comply with bs7671. For a circuit addition or alteration i think the bonding would need to be installed or upgraded if not adequate to comply with bs7671.

for like for like replacements that is the question

If its like for like maintenance/replacement then any Tom, Dick or Harry can do it and BS 7671 isn't relevent IMHO

 

[SYKRAPS]

There is no need to certify or carry out upgrades if you are changing a faulty/broken item (like for like) as you have not altered the fixed installation IMO, altough I do always fill out a MWC to cover my --- and it makes me sleep easier. This gives me the chance to record any obvious non-conformations and points them out to the client.