How do I adjust position of my house electrical earth clip connected to my gas pipe (from fuse box)?

Question

As per up to date electrical regulations, there is an earth connection from my fuse box to a nearby gas pipe, secured with a metal screw-on clip with 'DO NOT REMOVE' tag. Unfortunately, the screw was positioned so that its head sticks out and is in the way of a wall to ceiling cupboard I am installing to cover the area. I need to turn this connection through 90 degrees on the gas pipe so that the screw head points side-on or away. In terms of safety, how do I do this? The screw will need to be loosened so the whole clip can be turned. Whilst it is loosened, there is no guarantee the connection won't be broken for a split second. Obviously I want to avoid getting an electrician out for something that may be very simple. Thanks

Answer 1

Yes, bit of a difficult that one as techncially when you do unscrew it, you could be putting people at risk of electricution. Shouldn't really say this, but what I'd do is isolate the mains supply to the whole house, make sure nobody else is in, and unscrew it and turn it around - you might want to check that the exposed metal underneath doesn't need re-cleaning first though (with a bit of abrasive paper). I think you should be ok doing this, just make sure you don't touch anything that could potentially be live at the time.

Answer 2

You can looosen this and turn it at any time, there is no curent going through the thing.
It's best that you keep the continuity while you are doing this but it's no big deal. Plumbers take these off and re- connect them all the time.

You are a very safety minded person to ask this question though. And I should say that if you are in any doubt, get an electrician!!


But really it's no big deal and I wouldn't think twice about it. You sound like the careful type and there is no hazard, other than one of your electrical components failing at exactly that moment, which would indeed be several million to one. Actually Mister Think has the right idea, put the power off while you are doing it and then you have no worries.

Answer 3

The reason the gas pipe is main bonded in the beginning is because it will have a different potential to earth than the main earth at your fuse box (consumer unit), this has to be bonded to protect you under fault conditions.
It's unlikely that this will occur whilst you are working on it, but the correct procedure is to isolate the power source (turn off your consumer unit), then adjust the clamp as described by others, make sure the clamp is tight and has a good clean connection to the pipework, 600mm from the meter on the consumer side, when done turn your consumer unit back on.
Hope this helps.

Answer 4

The main requirement is that the earth connection is not degraded when it is restored. You can move it without fear as long as you ideally isolate the power (for your safety) while doing so. It should only take a minute or so so don't worry. Just ensure that there is no corrosion on the pipe that may prevent a good connection when moved; if there is just clean it with a scouring pad before re tightening the earth clip.

Answer 5

just don't do it while there is lightning or gas passing through it. So turn of the heater and the stove for a few minutes. When there is gas passing through it , it can build up static electricity. Of course lighting likes iron pipes, so needs to be grounded. It will be no problem to do it without static or lightning.

Answer 6

Slacken the locknut, then the screw a couple of turns, reposition to suit and then retighten and lock up.

NB the earthing clamp should be on YOUR side of the gas meter, within 1 meter of the gas meter, and be accessible for inspection.

Answer 7

loosen the locknut and screw , rotate to desired position and re-tighten screw and nut .
this earth clamp should be within 600mm of the Gas Meter.

Answer 8

loosen the screw and turn the clip then retighten