GB2276282A

GB2276282A - Earthing device for a water distribution fitting

Info

Publication number: GB2276282A
Application number: GB9305689A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Henry James Vincent Hewson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-03-17
Filing date: 1993-03-17
Publication date: 1994-09-21
Also published as: GB9305689D0

Abstract

An earthing device comprises a pipe coupling (10) or the like having an integral apertured lug (14) and a least one screw for fixing an earth wire to the coupling. A pair of apertures (16, 18) are each associated with two screws (24, 26). <IMAGE>

Description

Earthing Device This invention relates generally to an earthing device and more particularly to an earthing device for a water distribution system within a house, office, factory or the like, hereinafter referred to as an interior water distribution system.

Earthing regulations for interior water distribution systems become increasingly stringent. Multiple earths are commonly required, with heavy duty earthing cable.

Currently, earth connections to water pipes are made by circular clips with screw fastenings, the screw also being used to connect the earth cable. These fastenings are also used electrically to bond together pipes extending in close proximity to one another, as is often the situation in an airing cupboard in a house. The procedure is tedious under the stringent regulations now generally applicable and it can take an electrician many hours fully to earth the water distribution system in a house.

It is a principal object of this invention to provide an earthing device which is better suited to the new regulations.

According to the invention, there is provided an earthing device which comprises a water distribution fitment having integrally formed therewith at least one apertured lug for receiving an earthing cable and at least one tightenable screw for fixing the cable within the lug.

Typically, the fitment in question will be a pipe coupling, i.e. a short cylindrical element, for example made of brass or copper, used for joining two lengths of pipe together.

The pipe coupling may be specially manufactured, as by extrusion, to incorporate the lug, or less preferably the lug may be brazed or welded to a conventionally produced pipe coupling.

The invention has numerous advantages, including that of better earthing, avoidance of the use of special and loose earthing clips, reduced labour costs for plumbing, avoidance of special skills to effect earthing, avoidance of any requirement to clean pipes to ensure good earthing, no risk of high earth resistance, easy replacement by a plumber without calling on the services of an electrician and easy looping to bond pipes electrically.

A preferred pipe coupling has at least one lug with an extended aperture having two associated cable fixing screws.

The preferred pipe coupling also preferably has two (or more) side-by-side lugs each with an extended aperture, or a single lug with two (or more) parallel and separate extended apertures.

The aperture or apertures preferably extend in the axial direction of the cylindrical part of the coupling, and the lug extends axially over only the central region of the cylindrical part.

An embodiment of the invention is exemplified in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an end view of a preferred earthing device; Figure 2 is a view from the side faced by the lug; and Figure 3 is a side view at right angles to the view of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, a pipe coupling 10, for example made of brass or copper, has a cylindrical part 12 having integrally formed therewith over the central region of its length an externally protruding lug 14 which is apertured at 16 and 18 in the axial direction of the part 12. Four screws 20, 22, 24, 26, tightenable by means of cooperating screwthreads, extend sideways into the lug 14 to enable secure fixing of the end of an earthing cable in either one of or both apertures 16, 18.

The illustrated pipe coupling enables easy and reliable earthing on the coupling and thereby of the water distribution pipework in which the coupling is connected.

Couplings forming joints in two or more adjacent pipes may readily be electrically bonded together by looping short lengths of cable from one coupling to another. No bending of the bare end of heavy duty cable is necessary to enable reliable fixing to be achieved. Although it is preferred to use two fixing screws for each cable end, it is possible, where multiple lengths of cable are to be connected, to insert two cables into a single aperture from opposite ends thereof, using one fixing screw for each cable.

It will thus be appreciated that various modifications of the illustrated arrangement are possible within the scope of the invention hereinbefore defined. For example, a double width lug is illustrated, but a single width lug having only a single extended aperture with two fixing screws could be provided. Alternatively, instead of a double width lug, two side-by-side single width lugs may be provided, possibly but not preferably each of shorter length and thus shorter apertures with each of which only a single tightening screw is associated. Clearly, the diameter of the cylindrical part of the coupling may vary to suite the pipe bore in the system in which it is employed.

Claims

1. An earthing device which comprises a water distribution fitment having integrally formed therewith at least one apertured lug for receiving an earthing cable and at least one tightenable screw for fixing the cable within the lug.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the fitment is a pipe coupling.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the fitment is a short cylindrical element, for example made of brass or copper, used for joining two lengths of pipe together.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the pipe coupling is manufactured to incorporate the lug.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the pipe coupling is made by an extrusion process.

6. A device according to claim 3, wherein the lug may be brazed or welded to a conventionally produced pipe coupling.

7. A device according to claim 3, wherein the pipe coupling has at least one lug with an extended aperture having two associated cable fixing screws.

8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the pipe coupling also has two (or more) side-by-side lugs each with an extended aperture, or a single lug with two (or more) parallel and separate extended apertures.

9. A device according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the aperture or apertures preferably extend in the axial direction of the cylindrical part of the coupling, and the lug extends axially over only the central region of the cylindrical part.

10. An earthing device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.