Earthing & Bonding Brentwood

Welcome to TM Hughes & Son Electrical Services Ltd. We offer Earthing & Bonding in Brentwood and the surrounding areas.

What Is Earthing & Bonding?

Earthing and Bonding make electrical systems safe. Earthing provides a path for electrical current to flow safely into the ground in case of a fault, preventing electric shock. 

Bonding connects metal parts in an installation to ensure they can’t reach a dangerous voltage. 

Both protect people and property from electrical hazards such as shocks and fires.

Earthing in a home is typically achieved by connecting the electrical system to a metal rod driven into the ground or to the metal rebar in a home’s foundation. 

This ensures that if a fault occurs, like a live wire touching a metal part of an appliance, the excess electricity will flow into the ground rather than causing a shock to a person touching the appliance. This safeguard drastically reduces the risk of electrical shocks and fires.

Bonding often involves connecting metal pipes (like water and gas pipes) to the electrical grounding system. 

For instance, if a live wire touches a metal water pipe without Bonding, the pipe could carry a dangerous voltage, potentially causing shock. With Bonding, the electrical current is safely diverted to the ground, reducing this risk.

Is Earthing & Bonding A Legal Requirement?

Yes, earthing and Bonding are legal requirements in the UK for electrical installations. 

The specific requirements for earthing and Bonding are laid out in the UK’s wiring regulations, which are published by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) as the “IET Wiring Regulations” (currently BS 7671:2018). 

These regulations apply to new electrical installations and also additions and alterations to existing installations.

Whenever a new electrical installation is carried out, or significant modifications are made to an existing one, the work should be inspected and tested by a competent person (often the electrician doing the work) to ensure that the installation is safe and meets the local electrical regulations.

These tests typically involve checking the continuity of the earthing and bonding conductors, verifying that the earthing and bonding connections are secure, and ensuring that the resistance of the earth connection is within acceptable limits. Any problems detected during these tests should be addressed immediately to ensure the electrical system’s safety.

How Often Should Earthing & Bonding Be Checked?

The frequency of earthing and bonding checks hinges on various factors, such as the age, condition, and nature of the electrical installation and the environment in which it’s located. 

A general rule of thumb for domestic properties suggests an inspection every 10 years or at each change of occupancy. 

For rented properties, checks are required every 5 years or whenever a new tenant moves in.

However, commercial and industrial properties may require more frequent inspections every 3 to 5 years.

Need Help With Your Earthing & Bonding?

If you require help with your Earthing & Bonding, please get in touch with us using the phone number or contact form below.