Parallel Earth Paths - Removing them for the Continuity of the Protective Bonding Test

This video should help you understand why you must disconnect both end of the protective bonding conductor during your end point assessment AM2, AM2S or AM2E for apprentice electricians . Often at college you only have 2 short pieces of copper pipe to simulate the gas and water. In reality the water and gas pipes are connected together by other metalwork at say areas like boilers. So in order to prove you have a continuous conduct from the consumer unit or distribution board to the connection on the water and gas etc you need to remove it at both ends when testing it. In this video I highlight the metalwork that creates this parallel Earth path and the importance of disconnecting both end of the protective bonding conductor under test.

When watching the videos below remember you will also need to remove the protective bonding conductor when test it to remove the possible parallel stated in this video.

= 🕐 Time Stamps - Cut to the action 🕕 ==

00:00 - Parallel earth paths
00:30 - Disconnect the protective bonding conductor at both ends
01:42 - Gas pipework is linked to the water pipework
02:37 - Disconnect both ends before testing
03:23 - Prove your protective bonding conductor is continues

Videos are training aids for City and Guilds (C and G) and EAL courses Level 1, 2, 3 plus AM2, AM2S and AM2E.

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[michaelcostello]

A sketch of the wires and pipes would have been good for clarity

[richardpowell]

Really appreciate you taking the time to make these videos.

[Hiccup]

Again my AM2, they preferred I only remove from the MET, and "clamp" onto the pipe work for the test. The idea being as to 100% determine that there is in fact connection to the pipework. As usual, attend the PRE-AM2 session and ask 1001 questions on the preferred method for your test centre.

[headsupsparkies]

I do see the logic here. Obviously if you are not 100% certain which conductor is for which service at the MET. Then it is easily possible to mix them up. But if both give values below 0.05, then both are sound and the reading will only improve if you take the time to identify the correct service. Obviously if one is giving a high or open reading, THEN disconnecting at the pipe IS essential in determining which conductor is at fault. The model form Certificate only requires a tick to verify main bonding, and ticks to identify the services tested.

[Brian-rpkq]

6 separate tests to check continuity on the water and gas bonds! Don’t see the issue with just doing the 1 test to check the cable end to end. Once the earth tag is tightened up to the pipe and the bonding cables are connected it’s impossible for the pipe work not to be earthed.

[chrisdaly]

Hi I watched your insulation resistance video recently, where can I get the double lead adaptor you used to conduct the live / neutral to earth test please

[andyam]

I'm a bit confused. The disconnect earth wire and the water pipe terminal is enough for the test, i don't see why it will pass through other pipe, the small current produced from MFT will force through those two points only.

[jamesmoon]

Removing the gas bond wont clear the parallel path as the boiler will carry the parallel path as the pipes are connected to a metal plate. I usually test them by removing the bonds at the board and the lowest is usually my the one you are after. No way of getting no parallel paths as pipes could be touching in the floor and you would need to remove the boiler and remove the touching pipes. Great subject and in theory yes but practically no.

[sajad]

Nice tutorial videos! I have some suggestions:
First please speak slower, I'm sure you have lots of viewers like me who are not native English and syncing with your maybe Mancunian accent is not easy.
My second point is that please introduce yourself at the beginning of videos, I have seen at least 10 of your videos but I don't know your name.
Have a good day.