✅ What is Earth Bonding and Why Do I Need It?


(Written by Anthony at AJOB Electrical Ltd – your trusted electrician in Leeds & Wakefield)

🔍 What is Earth Bonding?

Earth bonding is a crucial safety feature in your home’s electrical system. It involves connecting certain metal parts—like water and gas pipes—to the main earth terminal in your consumer unit (fuse box) using thick green-and-yellow cables.

This reduces the risk of electric shock by ensuring that if a fault occurs, electricity has a safe path to flow back to earth and trigger the circuit breaker.

There are two types of bonding in domestic properties:

1. Main Protective Bonding

This connects incoming metal services like:

  • Water pipes
  • Gas pipes
  • Oil pipes
  • Structural steel (in some buildings)

These are usually bonded close to where the pipework enters the building and before any branches.

2. Supplementary (or Equipotential) Bonding

This is used in specific areas, like bathrooms, to connect metallic parts (like radiators, pipes, or metal towel rails) together. It creates an “equipotential zone” so there’s no voltage difference between them.

⚠️ Why Is Earth Bonding Important?

Without proper bonding:

  • You could receive a fatal electric shock if a fault energises a metal pipe.
  • RCDs or circuit breakers may not trip as quickly as needed—or at all.
  • Your installation may fail an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report).
  • Insurers or home buyers could raise issues if bonding is missing or inadequate.

It’s not just about safety – it’s also a legal requirement under the Wiring Regulations (BS 7671).

🔧 How Can I Tell If My Bonding is Up to Standard?

You may spot thick green-and-yellow cables near your gas meter, stop tap, or boiler. But just seeing them doesn’t guarantee they’re correctly installed or compliant.

Typical signs bonding might be missing or inadequate:

  • Home is older (especially pre-1990s)
  • Cables look thinner than 10mm² (for modern TN-C-S systems)
  • You’re getting tingles when touching metal taps or appliances
  • EICR or inspection report flagged it

If you're unsure, it’s best to get it checked by a qualified electrician.

🛠️ What We Do at AJOB Electrical Ltd

At AJOB Electrical, we check and install bonding as part of:

We ensure all bonding is:

  • Sized correctly (10mm² typically)
  • Installed to current regulations
  • Properly connected to the main earth terminal
  • Labelled for future inspection

📍 Serving Leeds & Wakefield Homeowners

We’ve helped hundreds of customers across Leeds, Wakefield, Rothwell, Morley, Pudsey and nearby towns bring their bonding up to standard — often in just a few hours.

🙋‍♂️ FAQs About Earth Bonding

Do I need bonding if my pipes are plastic?

Not usually – plastic isn’t conductive. But if there are any exposed metal parts or transitions back to copper or steel, bonding may still be needed.

Is bonding the same as earthing?

Not quite. Earthing connects your electrical system to the ground. Bonding connects metal components together and to earth – so they stay at the same voltage.

Can I check bonding myself?

You can look for green/yellow cables, but only a qualified electrician can confirm if it’s installed and tested correctly.

📞 Need Bonding Checked or Installed?

If you live in Leeds, Wakefield or surrounding areas and aren’t sure if your bonding is up to scratch, give us a call. We’ll check it properly and offer honest advice.

👉 Call AJOB Electrical Ltd today on  01134508507 or  book a visit online
Or use our easy contact form — no obligation, just peace of mind.