Zones for main protective bonding

[Pondy]

Hi,
been a lurker on this forum for a long time, but this is my first post, doing some electriclal work which i will be using for my niceic assessment, need to run main protective bonding to the gas meter which is in a unit underneath the kitchen sink, the only way I can see is to chase in by the corner of the door and along the top of the skirting board into the unit, would this be ok as obviously it is not in a zone, just want to make sure as don't want to be tripped up come assessment time with Mr niceic.....

 

[onions1066]

No that wouldn't be ok in my opinion, if you can't keep it in a zone I'd keep it surface or outside in tube I wouldn't chase in outside zones.

 

[bigbaddave]

If thats how you were going to install main bonding in my house I wouldnt be best pleased. What are the floors made of?

 

[Pondy]

Ive got the 10mm earth from the cu under the stairs to the front of the house waiting to dropped down from upstairs into the kitchen, but there is no 'zone' as there is no sockets etc on that wall the only way I can see is to come into the kitchen in the corner and come down and across the top of the skirting board, the client doesnt want it to go outside,the only way I could think is to run it in a earthed metal conduit but it seems over the top as it isnt carrying current

 

[keniff]

Can you not drop it in the corner of the room and along the top of the wall that way you will be in a zone?

 

[Jonny66]

I wouldn't worry too much about zones in this instance, as the bonding conductor is not a circuit.....be hard to RCD protect it etc.......I would do as already advised though and try to avoid any chasing, as is much easier

 

[Octopus]

Into the room, along the top edge of the wall, and down the corner then under the cupboards.... if that is possible.

From what you've said you need to do some chasing so it would be good practice to do it in zones.

 

[keniff]

I always try to keep them in the zones as if you drill through it etc you wouldn't know! I know DIY and the rest generally don't know about zones but as the other guys said its good practice

 

[Jonny66]

Nobody seems to know about zones, and that includes some electricians:joker:

 

[Octopus]

Nobody seems to know about zones, and that includes some electricians:joker:

Thats no excuse for not using them though! lol

 

[Jonny66]

True, but it does ease the conscience if you had to be naughty......not that I would, well not usually.......:devilish:

 

[malcolmsanford]

I wouldn't worry too much about zones in this instance, as the bonding conductor is not a circuit.....be hard to RCD protect it etc.......I would do as already advised though and try to avoid any chasing, as is much easier

Nobody seems to know about zones, and that includes some electricians:joker:

True, but it does ease the conscience if you had to be naughty......not that I would, well not usually.......:devilish:

Think I would say that you maybe one of those electricians that struggle with regards to CABLE and zoning.

As the OP stated it is a 10mm conductor I would assume it is a cable and as we know regulation 522.6.101 clearly states that a
cable concealed etc etc.

So it as nothing to do with it being a circuit or not, a cable buried is a cable buried and therefore needs to be afforded the protection required in the regulations.

Also if you want to read the regs an rcd is only one way to protect a CABLE there 4 others

 

[Rockingit]

OP - go back and look at the pictures in the OSG....where else is considered a zone?

 

[Steve_P]

Think I would say that you maybe one of those electricians that struggle with regards to CABLE and zoning.

As the OP stated it is a 10mm conductor I would assume it is a cable and as we know regulation 522.6.101 clearly states that a
cable concealed etc etc.

So it as nothing to do with it being a circuit or not, a cable buried is a cable buried and therefore needs to be afforded the protection required in the regulations.

Also if you want to read the regs an rcd is only one way to protect a CABLE there 4 others

Can't disagree there (as usual).

Oh, welcome back mate.

 

[malcolmsanford]

Cheers Steve, can't be doing with this cold weather back in the UK, what is all this white stuff???

 

[HandySparks]

If you get desperate for lack of zones, put in a flush backbox and blanking plate. Run the cable horizontally and/or vertically from there.

 

[dim_bulb]

Any chance of going outside wall and clipping external

 

[onions1066]

Any chance of going outside wall and clipping external

i would never clip outside personally , I prefer mechanical protection, PVC conduit if its a light use area , galv conduit if it near a public pathway .

 

[Guest55]

do bonding cables need to be in a zone ?
how much current do they carry ? ;-)

more exciting questions after the commercial break !
:-D

 

[onions1066]

T t

do bonding cables need to be in a zone ?
how much current do they carry ? ;-)

more exciting questions after the commercial break !
:-D

depends on conditions or was that a trick question? Lol all cables should be run in zone in my opinion, bonding as much as any other, you cut through a bond you don't know you hit anything else It tends to go bang. Then at least you know.