Why do we need to earth sinks/basins in our homes?

Question

is it because of the copper pipes? and do you need to earth them if they are conected to plastic supply pipes?

I will consult my neighbor who is a qualified plumber, when I get the chance,but just wondered!

On stainless steel sinks especially, look under and you will see a wire and a clip, this is the 'earth'

Answer 1

Oh dear, here we go again, everyones an expert on earthing!

Main services i.e. water & gas supplies must be "Main Bonded" if the supply from outside is metal coming onto the building. This means connecting a earth cable from the fuse board to within 600mm of the incoming service pipework where it enters the building (consumers side).
Supplementary bonding (earthing) is a different matter, this is carried out in wet areas, i.e. bathrooms / shower rooms, anywhere you might have been immersed in water, reducing your resistance to electric shock.
Supplementary bonding is carried out by connecting a cable across any pipework that is within or passes through that area to the earth wire of any electrical circuit also in that area.
Kitchen sinks are not required anymore. All this will be changing next year when the new 17th edition of the regs. comes into force June 2008.
I hope this is of some use to you.
Check out my profile, I do know what I'm talking about unlike so many others that think they do!

Answer 2

From some of the answers you have received so far, this seems to be a requirement for the UK and not the USA. Possibly because all our household appliances like hair dryers, kettles, radios etc in the UK operate at 230 volts, whereas in the USA these are on 110 volts, so a little less dangerous. If a faulty appliance is shorting to metal pipe and you touch this pipe or tap (faucet) whilst touching another tap which is served by a pipe connected to earth (ground) all the current passes through you on its way to earth which is often fatal. If all the different pipes and metal appliances are connected together by a common earth wire (in the UK green and yellow) they will all be at the same voltage (electrical potential) and you are far less likely to receive an electric shock. The wiring regulations in the UK explains this requirement together with all the other precautions to be taken when fitting electrical appliances in bathroom and other risky areas. I hope this simplistic answer is sufficient. for both you and our USA friends who are wondering what your question is all about.

Answer 3

It's not earthed but 'Bonded', this is to ensure that any electrical leakage is at the same potential at all accessible points of contact, then you can't get a shock, or at least the chances are greatly reduced. There is no requirement to bond metalic items, (short lengths of copper pipe etc) that are fed with plastic pipework, water will not induce a voltage or provide a path to earth.

Answer 4

Should a cable in the house become bare & touch the hot pipe in your house, and then you grabbed both taps at the sink, the current would go through you, rather than the earth tag that is connecting the two taps together & then to ground.

Answer 5

Yes that's correct, a stainless steel sink does need to be earthed, mine is now but wasn't before and I kept getting shocks from the taps.

Answer 6

It's a U.K. building regulation so that in the event of a major fault in the electrical system - let's face it, the majority of sinks and basins either HAVE electric water heaters near them or over them or are close enough to other mains outlets, the stray current will hopefully go to earth before it gets to YOU ! ! !

Answer 7

i think of, there is not any longer something like a real residing house outdoors of the being. i've got faith, the authentic house is the understanding or the self of the being. it is authentic that the physique and the techniques isn't the authentic self.

Answer 8

I'm assuming that "earth" is the same as "ground?" You don't want to fry yourself when you turn on the water during an electrical storm, do you? You don't need to ground pvc.

Answer 9

if it was thundering and lightening and it struck your house, the current could travel up the pipes to the taps and then if you went to turn them on, it would be goodnight vienna

Answer 10

Never heard of such a thing. My nephew is a plummer.