Dedicated Earth-Hot Water Heater

[LosLobo]

My electrician is installing a Stiebel 3,500W water heater which has a built in Electricity Leakage Sensing Device (ELSD) with an earth wire going back 9-10 metres to the main switchboard which is earthed to an outside earthing rod 1.5 metres from the board.

 

I asked him if a dedicated earth closer to water heater would be better and his response was "not necessary". I was concerned because the water heater is close to the shower but high enough to avoid most direct splashing.

 

Are my concerns unnecessary?

 

I would really appreciate any assistance. Thanks 

 

[Crossy]

Do NOT, that's NOT, use a separate ground for your heater when there is a properly configured grounding system in place!

 

What you have sounds just fine.

 

If you really want the technical reasons I'll go into them.

 

 

[LosLobo]

12 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Do NOT, that's NOT, use a separate ground for your heater when there is a properly configured grounding system in place!

 

What you have sounds just fine.

 

If you really want the technical reasons I'll go into them.

 

 

Wow, thanks for the prompt response. I really appreciate it.

The whole electrical fit out is a new build. The water heater is just the last connection because of wall tiling.

If you have the time to explain the technicalities I would really appreciate a quick overview.

 

 

Edited July 11, 2022 by LosLobo

[sometimewoodworker]

Having more than 1 earthing point for a house that are not bonded together to effectively become a single point can create a dangerous situation and make an otherwise safe installation unsafe. 

[sometimewoodworker]

3 hours ago, LosLobo said:

If you have the time to explain the technicalities I would really appreciate a quick overview.

TLDR. Get it wrong and death is possible and not the worst outcome.
 

The technicalities of earthing is a rather large subject and a quick overview isn’t really possible, however John Ward has put out a rather comprehensive set of videos on that and other subjects.

 

this is just one of several hundred of his videos quite a few cover aspects of earthing, so I suggest a few weeks of study will help

 

Edited July 11, 2022 by sometimewoodworker