How to ground or Earth a water heater

**VocalNeal** · 06-01-2013, 03:36 PM

Thought someone might like this.

Replies on a postcard please!

**Mid** · 06-01-2013, 03:40 PM

Butterfly where art thou ?

**klong toey** · 06-01-2013, 03:43 PM

I just get our Gert to hold the shower earth cable out side the wet room whilst i shower.If anything goes wrong at least she can't grab hold of me then.

**DrAndy** · 06-01-2013, 03:46 PM

who needs an earth for those things anyway? totally redundant!

**Chang yai** · 06-01-2013, 03:54 PM

An Residual Current Device (safety switch) is more important. This monitors the amount of current going down the active wire, through the heating element and back through the neutral wire for any difference. More than 30 milli amps and it will trip. A standard circuit breaker will trip at say 20 amps. The heart can start to fibrillate at around 50 milli amps.

**hazz** · 06-01-2013, 05:15 PM

Earthing via the wall is a standard practice in Thailand. Seen it many times. Even with an rcd, you want an earth to proide an alternate route for the fault current that does not involve your body

**Chang yai** · 06-01-2013, 05:54 PM

Nope, not strictly correct, an earth will provide a current path in the event of the electric coil shorting to the metal tank inside the heater. This will then trip the circuit breaker because the current will be quite high due to low resistance. A safety switch will see the slightest difference in currents on the in and out wires and trip out.

A safety switch is an absolute necessity. They don't like putting them on the water heater circuit because of "nuisance tripping" because they are so sensitive.

**liveinlos** · 06-01-2013, 06:19 PM

Originally Posted by hazz

Earthing via the wall is a standard practice in Thailand. Seen it many times. Even with an rcd, you want an earth to proide an alternate route for the fault current that does not involve your body

Numerous people are electrocuted in Thailand each year

I would strongly advise you have someone more qualified check out if the wiring is installed correctly, the heater is protected by its own circuit breaker and that the unit is properly grounded

**Chang yai** · 06-01-2013, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by liveinlos

Originally Posted by hazz

Earthing via the wall is a standard practice in Thailand. Seen it many times. Even with an rcd, you want an earth to proide an alternate route for the fault current that does not involve your body

Numerous people are electrocuted in Thailand each year

I would strongly advise you have someone more qualified check out if the wiring is installed correctly, the heater is protected by its own circuit breaker and that the unit is properly grounded

Rcd / circuit breaker combo is what you should insist on

RCD Device
In Europe, a residual current protective device (RCD) should now be regulation in all countries. This appliance can save lives and should not be missing from any electrical installation. Simply explained, this appliance works in that it compares the electricity flowing into the appliance with the electricity which flowing back. If it notices a difference, this means that electricity has escaped from the normal path. A person who, for example, receives a small electrical shock from a defective appliance, SAFE-T-CUT- would activate the RCD as fast as lightning.[at]Appliances in Thailand are marked with similar properties to the SAFE-T-CUT. They can easily be built into an existing wiring installation. Unfortunately in lots of cases, as a result of improper or faulty cable installation and appliances, the SAFE-T-CUT immediately springs into action, meaning that all of the electrics are not operational. You should not resign, but take this as a reason to readjust the complete installation. Rotten cables or cables which were not laid correctly in the ground, or non-splash proof exterior lights are often the cause of problems. It is advisable that you run alarm systems and freezers through a circuit without the protection of a RCD, as a storm can lead to these appliances being switched off. If you are on holiday, your freezer food is in danger and your alarm system does not work.

**FlyFree** · 06-01-2013, 06:44 PM

Seems y'all have lost your sense of adventure.

**misskit** · 06-01-2013, 07:12 PM

^555

I've a new bathroom going in and the grounding of the hot water heater weighs heavily on my head.

I stood in front of the water heaters at the building supply story just last week, wondering which one worked well and was electrically safe. I came home with nothing. How do I know which one has an RCD device?

The Toshiba I'm using currently has an ELCB test switch. Is it the same?

**Chang yai** · 06-01-2013, 07:17 PM

^ if it's got a test button, then yep that's it. Test monthly. When it trips, you've got no hot water right? If you start getting tingles off taps, switch off the mains and get an electrician. It could be something major.

**Necron99** · 06-01-2013, 07:22 PM

Just make sure to use a certified earthing nail.

**DrAndy** · 06-01-2013, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by misskit

I've a new bathroom going in and the grounding of the hot water heater weighs heavily on my head. I stood in front of the water heaters at the building supply story just last week, wondering which one worked well and was electrically safe. I came home with nothing. How do I know which one has an RCD device?

get solar hot water heating, no horrifying electrics

actually, MissKit, most of the modern heaters will have a trip mechanism and are safe (assuming they get installed properly)

**misskit** · 06-01-2013, 07:42 PM

^ Wished I had thought of solar. Now the shower stall is plumbed and tiled. Too late.

**Rural Surin** · 06-01-2013, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by DrAndy

get solar hot water heating, no horrifying electrics

There ya go, Andy!
Sound and safe.

**Chang yai** · 06-01-2013, 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by Rural Surin

Originally Posted by DrAndy

get solar hot water heating, no horrifying electrics

There ya go, Andy!
Sound and safe.

Most solar hot water systems have an electric booster for when it's not sunny. Though I suppose you could turn it off to take a shower.

**thailazer** · 06-01-2013, 08:34 PM

VocalN... That is not a good installation at all, or maybe the image is just too cropped. I tried to find the circuit breaker at chest level that you manually switch on and off in your wet feet every time you use the shower but couldn't see it. Always a necessary part of any installation. Always love the guest houses that instruct you on that valuable bit of technique.

**Rural Surin** · 06-01-2013, 08:36 PM

Originally Posted by Chang yai

Originally Posted by Rural Surin

Originally Posted by DrAndy

get solar hot water heating, no horrifying electrics

There ya go, Andy!
Sound and safe.

Most solar hot water systems have an electric booster for when it's not sunny. Though I suppose you could turn it off to take a shower.

I supposed one could.
Obsessed to always have a hot shower in the tropics - even in winter, baffles me.

Pansies.

**FlyFree** · 06-01-2013, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by Chang yai

^ if it's got a test button, then yep that's it. Test monthly. When it trips, you've got no hot water right? If you start getting tingles off taps, switch off the mains and get an electrician. It could be something major.

And if I was concerned about being electrocuted in the shower, I'd search for quality. Not some cheap shit that looks the same.

**hazz** · 06-01-2013, 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by misskit

^555

I've a new bathroom going in and the grounding of the hot water heater weighs heavily on my head.

I stood in front of the water heaters at the building supply story just last week, wondering which one worked well and was electrically safe. I came home with nothing. How do I know which one has an RCD device?

The Toshiba I'm using currently has an ELCB test switch. Is it the same?

I got a shower about 18 months from PowerBuy and all the ones I had a look at had rcd devices installed with a test button. I had a look at the insides of a few and decided to get the tall thin design of the Panasonic showers as they seemed to have a well thought out design when it comes to keeping the water splashing round the room outside the unit.

What I will say is that the 3500w unit I bought is not as powerful as I would like, but is what my cabling would not support a 4500w unit. I'm glad I got a shower with temperature control, rather than the cheaper power control

One thing you should also rember is that Thai regs and common sence says that in addition to the rcd in the shower unit, you also need rcd protection outside the wet area protecting the cable coming into the shower room. This could be an rcd trip switch outside the shower room or a module in your fuse box. But either way you need one.

If anyone got confused with my last email, whilst its standard practice to earth devices with a nail on the wall, I do not suggest that is anything other than a stupid chicken head activity carried out be electricians who have absolutely no understanding of how electricity works.

**Norton** · 06-01-2013, 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by Rural Surin

Obsessed to always have a hot shower in the tropics - even in winter, baffles me.

RS having his morning clean up.

**cymru** · 06-01-2013, 10:45 PM

This set up does have it's advantages though...great place to hang them shampoo bottles that have a hook on the bottom of them

**ralphlsasser** · 07-01-2013, 06:11 AM

Originally Posted by Necron99

Just make sure to use a certified earthing nail.

TIT

**Marmite the Dog** · 07-01-2013, 07:32 AM

Originally Posted by Rural Surin

Originally Posted by Chang yai

Originally Posted by Rural Surin

Originally Posted by DrAndy

get solar hot water heating, no horrifying electrics

There ya go, Andy!
Sound and safe.

Most solar hot water systems have an electric booster for when it's not sunny. Though I suppose you could turn it off to take a shower.

I supposed one could.
Obsessed to always have a hot shower in the tropics - even in winter, baffles me.

Pansies.

You like not being properly clean? Each to their own.

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