Bonding

[timegoesby]

Just out of interest. I removed an old cylinder from a house built in

1975 or 1976. Under the copper cylinder a thick earth wire was soldered to the bottom. This went to the hot water draw off pipe where it was clamped. Then the wire went to the cylinder cold feed pipe where this was clamped. This was some sort of bonding. The cylidner had two immersions, one top one bottom, of which only one at a time could be be on because of a sink/full bath controller.

I thought this bonding was not required in those days, so why do it? The soldered wire to the cylinder looked over the top. All this was from when the place was new, not fitted after.

[Norm]

I've never seen someone go that far! Maybe the fitter was over protective or cautious. It certainly isn't required to tat extent. I remember years ago people were saying to drill through double glazing frames and doors to fit earth wires. Things go in and out of fashion and no one really knows why. Whatever next, a big earth wire up to the chimney to attach to the TV aerial!

[timegoesby]

There was a lug on the bottom of the cylinder fitted by the makers. It was made by Range and called a Herlag or similar. I'm not sure if the cable soldered to the bottom of the cylinder was soldered by the fitters or came from the factory that way. This was an estate and there must have been 500 plus of these fitted from new.

[Owain]

I wonder if it was something to do with preventing electrolytic corrosion rather than electrical earthing.

Owain

[Doctor Drivel]

That usually has a sacrificial anode. Unless some clever fella thought of a way of getting around it.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Was it by any chance an ex council property? Some council types get a bee in their bonnet and are 'allowed' to satisfy these whims.