About this service
Earthing provides a path that allows protective devices to disconnect the supply when a fault makes exposed metalwork live. Protective bonding connects certain incoming metal services to the main earthing terminal so dangerous voltage differences are reduced.
Earthing and bonding are often checked during consumer-unit changes, rewires, EICRs and work involving bathrooms, kitchens or external equipment. The presence of a green and yellow cable does not by itself prove the connection is present, correctly sized or electrically sound.
Common problems we help with
Missing or undersized main bonding
Older installations may have no visible bonding to relevant incoming metal services or conductors smaller than current work requires.
Loose or corroded earth connections
Mechanical damage, alterations and damp conditions can affect continuity.
Supply earthing is uncertain
The earthing arrangement and external earth fault path must be established before protective devices can be assessed.
Metal services have been altered
Plastic sections, meter changes and relocated pipework can change whether and where bonding is required.
How we carry out the work
Identify the earthing arrangement
We inspect the supply head, main earthing terminal, protective conductors and relevant services.
Test continuity and fault path
Instrument tests confirm that connections which appear present are electrically effective.
Upgrade where required
New or replacement conductors are routed and terminated at suitable points, then labelled and retested.
What is normally included?
- Initial discussion about the property, symptoms, priorities and timescale
- Assessment of the relevant circuit, equipment, access and existing protection
- A written scope for the proposed earthing & bonding work
- The agreed installation or repair work, with disruption kept to a reasonable minimum
- Inspection, electrical testing and appropriate handover documentation
Before the work starts
- Condition of existing circuits before new protective equipment is fitted
- Available space, circuit identification and future capacity
- Earthing, bonding and supply characteristics
- How essential equipment will be managed during isolation and testing
What affects the price?
The price depends on the existing installation and the amount of work required. For earthing & bonding, the main factors normally include:
- Circuit quantity and board configuration
- Defects revealed by pre-work or completion testing
- Meter tails, earthing and bonding alterations
- Labelling, containment and any necessary relocation
Testing, certificates and handover
Once the installation work is complete, we inspect and test it and provide the records that apply to the job.
- Updated circuit schedule and protective-device labels
- Test results and applicable installation certificate
- Guidance on testing residual-current devices
- Explanation of any separately identified future recommendations
Earthing & Bonding questions
Is bonding the same as earthing?
No. Earthing connects the electrical installation to earth for fault protection. Bonding deals with potential differences involving certain extraneous metalwork.
Do plastic water pipes need bonding?
It depends on whether the service can introduce an earth potential. The actual arrangement must be assessed rather than decided by pipe colour alone.
Will the work damage finishes?
Main bonding routes can be challenging in finished properties. We discuss practical routes before installation.
Booking the work
What happens after you contact us
1. Discuss the job
Tell us about the property, the symptoms or the result you want. Photographs and model numbers are often helpful.
2. Inspect and quote
We check the relevant installation and give you a written quotation showing what is included.
3. Complete and test
We carry out the agreed work, verify it electrically and explain any controls, labels or certificates at handover.