Earthing wall mount cabinet

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ElectronicFerret

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#179259 2-Sep-2015 12:58

I've installed a small wall mount cabinet high on a wall and believe it should be earthed.

An electrician has run a double power socket which is right next to the cabinet.

Can I earth it using the earth connection from the double socket? Are there any specific requirements on how this should be done?

ubergeeknz

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Vocus

#1378236 2-Sep-2015 13:31

You probably could, but I suspect you are supposed to have an electrician do it.

ElectronicFerret

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#1378240 2-Sep-2015 13:34

ubergeeknz: You probably could, but I suspect you are supposed to have an electrician do it.

I'll definitely get an electrician to do it, but want to know how it should be done - the local electrician is not knowledgeable on things like this.

ubergeeknz

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#1378241 2-Sep-2015 13:35

ElectronicFerret: the local electrician is not knowledgeable on things like this.

That's kind of a worry tbh

ElectronicFerret

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#1378242 2-Sep-2015 13:39

Yep. 4-5 years off retirement, not interested in learning about that "internet network stuff" - Happy to be told what needs to be done

lxsw20

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#1378244 2-Sep-2015 13:43

The door should be bonded to the chassis and the chassis earthed to the switch.

In the last 2 days I've installed new CPE at two brand new homes for the owners at work, in both cases it was pretty clear who ever did the Ethernet runs/cabinet has zero clue what they were doing. It would be nice if they even bothered to label the cable runs!!!

ubergeeknz

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#1378246 2-Sep-2015 13:46

ElectronicFerret: Yep. 4-5 years off retirement, not interested in learning about that "internet network stuff" - Happy to be told what needs to be done

Well it's essentially a metal chassis ... i don't think earthing it is strictly necessary since all the equipment inside should be double-insulated, but it is a good idea from a safety perspective in that *should* any mains short out to it somehow it will trip the RCD and put everyone out of danger. However, he should know whether it's OK by the regs to connect something like this into the mains earth, or not. I'd be leaning towards yes, since that's the main purpose of the mains earth after all.

This thread might help too: http://www.electricalforum.co.nz/index.php?action=more_details&id=1373953596

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DarthKermit

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#1378249 2-Sep-2015 13:49

Not a sparky, but I believe that if a metal appliance is to be earthed, you're required to run a separate earth wire back to the switch board and NOT to the nearest power point's earth connection.

ElectronicFerret

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#1378285 2-Sep-2015 14:27

DarthKermit: Not a sparky, but I believe that if a metal appliance is to be earthed, you're required to run a separate earth wire back to the switch board and NOT to the nearest power point's earth connection.

I've just been in contact with another electrician (who I'll probably use to do the job) who confirmed this.

If the equipment housed in it is double insulated, there is actually no need to earth it at all, but it is recommended that you bond it to a nearby earthed metal object (not a power point earth) such as a steel pillar.

To actually electrically earth the cabinet, it requires a minimum 6mm earth wire run all the way to the switchboard. It *must* also be colored green and yellow. There is no requirement to run it inside a conduit.

In my case I'm going to earth it properly right back to the switchboard as the cabinet is feeding wireless equipment including rooftop antennas and I want to make sure static ican't built up.

mdooher

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#1378295 2-Sep-2015 14:37

lxsw20: The door should be bonded to the chassis and the chassis earthed to the switch.

In the last 2 days I've installed new CPE at two brand new homes for the owners at work, in both cases it was pretty clear who ever did the Ethernet runs/cabinet has zero clue what they were doing. It would be nice if they even bothered to label the cable runs!!!

I'm sure I taught you to use a tone source and cable tracing tool...

Matthew

mdooher

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#1378297 2-Sep-2015 14:43

ElectronicFerret:
DarthKermit: Not a sparky, but I believe that if a metal appliance is to be earthed, you're required to run a separate earth wire back to the switch board and NOT to the nearest power point's earth connection.

I've just been in contact with another electrician (who I'll probably use to do the job) who confirmed this.

If the equipment housed in it is double insulated, there is actually no need to earth it at all, but it is recommended that you bond it to a nearby earthed metal object (not a power point earth) such as a steel pillar.

To actually electrically earth the cabinet, it requires a minimum 6mm earth wire run all the way to the switchboard. It *must* also be colored green and yellow. There is no requirement to run it inside a conduit.

In my case I'm going to earth it properly right back to the switchboard as the cabinet is feeding wireless equipment including rooftop antennas and I want to make sure static ican't built up.

Because you are creating a "functional earth" not a "Safety earth" you can just earth it at the nearest plug. This does not come under the definition of "bonding for electrical safety". However because when you make the connection at the plug you are doing more than just replacing a fitting you will need a sparky anyway. So you may as well run 4mm (not 6) back to the board and bond it properly.

Matthew

lxsw20

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#1378338 2-Sep-2015 15:10

mdooher:
lxsw20: The door should be bonded to the chassis and the chassis earthed to the switch.

In the last 2 days I've installed new CPE at two brand new homes for the owners at work, in both cases it was pretty clear who ever did the Ethernet runs/cabinet has zero clue what they were doing. It would be nice if they even bothered to label the cable runs!!!

I'm sure I taught you to use a tone source and cable tracing tool...

I should get one for the office. Might have to explain to the boss what it is first!

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mdooher

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#1378340 2-Sep-2015 15:12

lxsw20:
mdooher:
lxsw20: The door should be bonded to the chassis and the chassis earthed to the switch.

In the last 2 days I've installed new CPE at two brand new homes for the owners at work, in both cases it was pretty clear who ever did the Ethernet runs/cabinet has zero clue what they were doing. It would be nice if they even bothered to label the cable runs!!!

I'm sure I taught you to use a tone source and cable tracing tool...

I should get one for the office. Might have to explain to the boss what it is first!

Ahh... office tools... the best kind.

Matthew