Earthing & Bonding

Welcome to TM Hughes & Son Electrical Services Ltd. Our work in Chelmsford & Essex includes Earthing & Bonding.

Earthing and Bonding serve as protective measures to ensure electrical safety and are included with all new Electrical Installations as standard.

Earthing refers to connecting the non-electrical parts of the system, like the metallic casing of an appliance, to the ground. This connection prevents any build-up of dangerous voltage levels that could cause electric shocks. 

Bonding connects all conductive parts, reducing the risk of a voltage difference between them. This connection is critical to ensure that if a fault occurs, it will trigger the electrical system’s safety devices, like RCD fuses, to cut off the electrical supply.

Electricians install earthing and Bonding in new electrical installations to protect individuals from electrical shocks and the system from overloading and electrical fires. 

Earthing provides a direct pathway for electrical energy to return safely to the ground rather than through a person in the event of a fault. 

Bonding ensures that conductive materials in the premises have the same electrical potential, reducing the risk of shock if a person touches two components simultaneously.

Checking Your Earthing & Bonding

If you’re a homeowner, it’s recommended to have an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) every ten years to ensure your electrical system is safe and your earthing and Bonding works.

If you’re a landlord, you must have an EICR when a new tenant moves in or every five years.

An electrician will undertake the following when inspecting and checking your Earthing & Bonding.

Visual Inspection

One of the first steps an electrician will often take when checking earthing and Bonding in an existing electrical installation is a visual inspection. They will check to ensure that all required parts are bonded and that the earth connection is fitted correctly. 

They’ll examine the wiring, looking for any signs of damage, corrosion, or loosening that might compromise the connection. They’ll also ensure that the earthing and bonding conductors are of the correct size and material, as specified by safety standards.

Use of Electrical Testing

Electricians use electrical testing to check earthing and Bonding. One common tool is a continuity tester, which checks for a continuous electrical path between two points. 

The electrician can ensure that the earthing is effective by testing the continuity between the earth pin of an electrical outlet and the main earth terminal. 

Similarly, they can verify that Bonding is done correctly by checking the continuity between different bonded parts.

Main Earthing Terminal Inspection

The main earthing terminal of a building, often located near the electric meter or consumer unit, is a focal point for inspection. Electricians will verify that this terminal is correctly connected to the external earth conductor supplied by the energy company. 

They will also confirm that it’s correctly linked to the necessary parts of the building, such as the water and gas pipes, to ensure effective Bonding.

Earth Loop Impedance Test

The earth loop impedance test is a more sophisticated procedure used to verify the effectiveness of the earthing. 

It measures the resistance of the earth’s path between the earthed point of a power outlet and the main earth terminal. 

This test allows electricians to assess if the earthing will enable a quick enough power disconnection in case of a fault.

RCD (Residual Current Device) Testing

A key part of an electrical system’s safety mechanism is the RCD, designed to trip the system if it detects an imbalance between the outgoing and incoming current. This imbalance could occur if the current is leaking to earth. 

By testing the functionality of the RCD, electricians can indirectly verify the effectiveness of the earthing and Bonding in the system.