What to do with this earth strip thing??

[rocker]

Right you'll prbably think this is a particularly dumb question, but I have been confronted with a weird main earthing conductor - it's not a cable, it's a sort of semi flexible metal flat ribbon (looks like alu or mild steel, could be tinned copper I suppose), about 2/3 inch wide, with loads of holes drilled along it. I'm sure I came across this many years ago on me apprenticeship but I can't remember what we did with it or even what it's called. It's not even attached to the earth terminal in the (really old) consumer unit, but is lugged onto it's metal casing. Ze is actually very good (0.09). What the hell is this stuff, and what do you reckon I should do with it?

 

[IQ Electrical]

Is it a metal braid from the suppliers TN-S cable sheath?

 

[rocker]

Nah it's not braid, it's like a metal strip with holes in..... think of a Wrigley's type chewing gum (the flat type) it's like that, but with round holes all along it's length.... wish I'd done a picture of it now.

 

[jaresquire]

Strapping, for cable fixing?

 

[roukel01]

Is it a bit like this?

 

[rocker]

I'm pretty sure it's not strapping as the holes are quite big in it - it's not the braid things, though if you imagine that stuff without the braid part, just the solid part with the holes, it's a bit like that (but the holes are bigger).

 

[jaresquire]

Couldn't post image but if it looks Heath Robinson swap it.

 

[malcolmsanford]

Sounds like a piece of perforated tinned copper strip. Is there an earth bar on this consumer unit? or are all earths bunched up on an external bolt.

We use to use this, I can't find a picture, but it came in rolls and you would cut to length, I used it mainly for earth links on trunking and tray work, I think it was a cheaper alrernative to ready made links

 

[IQ Electrical]

It sounds like coated copper earth tape, like this picture:

 

[IQ Electrical]

Or is it this? :

 

[rocker]

You could be right with that Malc...... there is an earth bar in the CU which all the circuits go to, BUT this thing is connected directly to the CU case with an external lug.

 

[rocker]

IQ it's KINDA similar to the second one you posted but not spot on. What is that, strapping?

 

[IQ Electrical]

IQ it's KINDA similar to the second one you posted but not spot on. What is that, strapping?

It's what we called 'all round band' it was used for supports, earthing, everything!

Malcolm will recognise it!

 

[jaresquire]

Trying... to ...post...image....

 

[malcolmsanford]

It does seem like the old perforated tinned copper used as I said. Think some old industrial sparks back in the 60's used some as the earthing conductor, anything will do

Bet your glad that all thosed CPC are connected together does make testing such a giggle.

 

[IQ Electrical]

Yes, same stuff!

 

[rocker]

Right so this needs to go, am I right?

Would the DNO have used this stuff though? It's a permanent link......

 

[malcolmsanford]

It's what we called 'all round band' it was used for supports, earthing, everything!

Malcolm will recognise it![/QUOTE]

I hope that there isn't a tinge of ageism there mate

 

[WDMDL]

The sheath on my TN-S supply has a piece of that attached...
It's wrapped round and bolted, but also soldered to the cable sheath.
About the second hole from the cable, there's a piece of 16mmsq GNYE with crimp lug bolted to it, going inside the service head.
On the third hole there's a 2-inch relic of about a 6mmsq solid bare earthing conductor bolted to it.
But then my main earthing conductor is is 16mmsq onto a BS951 onto the cable sheath adjacent to this lot.... Ze 0.08Ohms.

Simon.

 

[IQ Electrical]

It's what we called 'all round band' it was used for supports, earthing, everything!

Malcolm will recognise it![/QUOTE]

I hope that there isn't a tinge of ageism there mate

Not at all, that would be 'pots and kettles'

 

[malcolmsanford]

Oh no I've seen your post on Millwall Kens ...............just a slip of a boy

 

[IQ Electrical]

I shall print that comment, you're a fine chap Malcolm!

 

[Knobhead]

I must have used miles of perforated copper tape years ago. It was available in 3 grades I think the largest being 1” X 1/8”. It could be plumbed to the sheath of paper lead cables. I don’t know why it went out of favour, it was great for trunking / tray installs. I used to run it unbroken the full length of the install.

 

[telectrix]

seen some on an old job a couple of years back. was head scratching when i couldn't get a sensible Ze from the earth bar in the CU. turned out there was no continuity between the earth bar and the steel enclosure.