electrician advice needed

[Uschi]

after 8 yrs in our house we've just been told that our electricity consumer unit is not earthed and that the electrician, who was going to do our bathroom lighting, will not be able to do the job as it's not safe. I find it difficult to believe that the electricity provider would have switched the power to the building on without it being earthed. Apart from trying to find out how to prove that the house was/ is earthed (who keeps records of that?) I'm also interested in finding out how much a RCCD unit + earthing would cost (approx.) to bring the property up to current safety standards

[pug306]

Its a bit of a long process, but you need to contact your electricity provider. Try to get through to the 'Networks' (as I have been told,) department, and they should be able to tell you what type of earthing system would have been on your house if any. I have encountered this problem quite a few times, or the existing earth is not up to standard etc. You really should get this done before you have any work carried out. If you live in a rural area, where your supply comes in by 'telegraph' poles, you may have what is known as a TT system which your electrician will know about, and they can provide a suitable earth for you. As for the RCD or RCCD consumer unit, they vary in price. A little tip is that and I didnt tell you this, but B&Q warehouse sell a Wylex 'split load' consumer unit with MCBs and spare sockets for just under �70. That really is a good price, and will cover most general households, but may need the odd MCB or so for other equipment you have installed. If again you live in a rural area and do have a TT system, then expect at LEAST double that price as you will need a specific RCCD 100amp 100milli-amp to cover your entire system, then a suitable 30ma RCD for your sockets, external equipment etc. As for your bathroom electrics, your electrician is right you REALLY do need a good earth return path to try and cover every electrical appliance and mettalic parts as possible just to be on the safe side. Good Luck hope it helps

[Hairyplums]

Yeah pug is right, bathroom earthing is so crucial, has to be spot on any rad, water pipe must be connected back to the earth on your consumer board, supplementry bonding, and yes consumer boards are cheap in B&Q, but be carefull get them installed properly as cheap is not always the best !!!!!