Mick Finch asks this question, which is about domestic protective multiple earth (PME) electrical installation and the bonding type required in terms of the home’s plastic and copper pipework system. It has been answered by the NICEIC. (Theme – Fire, Safety and Security):
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Question: I am referring to a domestic PME electrical installation.
If all of the water pipework within a property is plastic, is it required to have10mm main earth bonding?
Following on from this, if there is a mixture of copper and plastic piping, i.e. plastic from the stopcock to the airing cupboard, and then copper piping within the airing cupboard itself, and the Installation is fully protected to all circuits by RCDs, is main earth bonding required?
My assumption is that main 10mm bonding is still required.
Answer: If the pipework is plastic coming into the property, then main protective bonding is not required.
If - in the second instance - there are sections of copper piping, such as the airing cupboard, it would need to be confirmed as to whether it is extraneous.
If it is deemed so, then this pipework could be supplementary bonded across to a reliable means of earth to bring its potential down to the same value as all other metal work around it.
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