Earthing & Bonding
Upgrade your property's earthing and bonding to current standards. Main bonding, supplementary bonding, and earth electrode installation. Qualified and insured.
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Earthing & Bonding
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Upfront pricing
Clear quotes before work starts.
Qualified pros
NICEIC & NAPIT registered.
Pay when done
Funds held until you're happy.
How it works
Earthing system assessment
The electrician identifies your earthing arrangement (TN-S, TN-C-S/PME, or TT) by inspecting the incoming supply and measuring the earth fault loop impedance. They check the condition and size of the main earthing conductor and all bonding conductors. Any deficiencies are recorded.
Main bonding installation or upgrade
10mm² main bonding conductors are installed (or existing ones replaced) from the main earthing terminal to the gas, water, and oil service entry points. Connections are made with BS 951 bonding clamps within 600mm of the point of entry. Labels are fitted at each bond.
Supplementary bonding
Where required (typically in bathrooms and where simultaneous contact with earthed metalwork and extraneous conductive parts is possible), 4mm² supplementary bonding conductors are installed between exposed metalwork — pipes, radiators, baths, and shower trays.
Earth electrode installation (TT systems)
For properties on a TT earthing system (no earth provided by the DNO), an earth rod is driven into the ground and connected to the main earthing terminal. The electrode resistance is measured and must be low enough for the RCD to operate within the required time.
Testing and verification
All earth fault loop impedances are measured, bonding continuity is verified, and RCD trip times are tested. The electrician confirms that all protective devices will disconnect within the time limits specified by BS 7671. An Electrical Installation Certificate or Minor Works Certificate is issued as appropriate.
What's included
What's involved
Earthing and bonding are fundamental safety measures in every electrical installation. The earthing system provides a path for fault current to flow safely to earth, causing protective devices (fuses, MCBs, RCDs) to disconnect the supply. Bonding connects all metallic services (gas, water, oil pipes) to the earthing system, preventing dangerous voltage differences between them. An earthing and bonding upgrade brings these systems up to the current BS 7671 standard — replacing undersized conductors, adding missing bonds, and ensuring the earth fault loop impedance is low enough for protective devices to operate within the required time.
Inadequate earthing and bonding is one of the most common defects found on EICRs. Without proper earthing, a fault on an appliance or circuit may not trip the protective device, leaving the metalwork live and creating a serious shock hazard. Without bonding, metallic pipes can carry dangerous voltages — particularly in bathrooms where the risk of electric shock is highest. If your EICR has flagged earthing or bonding deficiencies (C1 or C2 codes), this work is essential for safety. It is also required as part of consumer unit upgrades, rewires, and new circuit installations.
Get a personalised quote
Typical cost: £150–£500per property
Every job is different — pricing depends on your property, location, and specific requirements. Describe what you need and a qualified electrician will quote you directly.
How long does it take?
1-3 hours for main bonding upgrades on a straightforward property. Half a day if supplementary bonding, earth conductor replacement, or earth rod installation is also needed. Complex properties with long pipe runs or difficult access may take a full day.
Regulations & safety
Safety notice
Never remove or disconnect an existing bonding conductor — even temporarily. If a bonding conductor is disconnected while a fault exists elsewhere in the installation, metallic pipes can become live and create a lethal shock hazard.
Earthing and bonding work must be carried out by a qualified electrician. Incorrect connections — particularly connecting to the wrong pipe or using undersized conductors — can make the installation more dangerous rather than safer.
If you have a TT earthing system (common in rural properties), the earth rod provides your only earth path. It must be installed correctly and tested regularly. A poorly installed earth rod gives a false sense of security.
BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 — Chapter 54 (Earthing Arrangements and Protective Conductors)
Specifies the requirements for earthing arrangements, main earthing terminals, earthing conductors, protective bonding conductors, and earth electrodes. Defines the minimum conductor sizes and connection methods.
BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 — Regulation 411 (Automatic Disconnection of Supply)
Requires that the earthing system provides a sufficiently low impedance path for fault current to flow, enabling protective devices to disconnect the supply within 0.4 seconds (for socket circuits) or 5 seconds (for fixed equipment circuits).
Part P of the Building Regulations
Earthing and bonding work that involves the main earthing terminal or is carried out as part of a consumer unit upgrade or new circuit installation is notifiable. Standalone bonding upgrades may be covered by a Minor Works Certificate.
Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 (ESQCR)
Governs the DNO's responsibility to provide an earthing facility (where available) and the requirements for connection at the supply intake. Relevant when the earthing arrangement involves the DNO's infrastructure.
What to expect
Having issues with your existing installation?
Already have a earthing & bonding and having issues? Check our troubleshooting guides.
Electric Shock From Light Switch
You feel an electric shock or jolt when you touch or operate a light switch in your home.
RCD Keeps Tripping? Common Causes & How to Fix It (2026)
Your RCD keeps tripping and cutting power to multiple circuits. This guide covers every common cause — from faulty appliances and moisture to wiring faults and nuisance tripping — plus exactly what to do about it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between earthing and bonding?
Why has my EICR failed on bonding?
What is a TT earthing system and why does it matter?
Do plastic pipes need bonding?
Can I do earthing and bonding work myself?
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