Gas equipment is classified as explosive, therefore, special attention is paid to its installation. In addition to the correct connection to the supply line of the energy carrier, it is switched with electrical networks. Under certain conditions, technical documentation requires grounding a gas boiler in a private house. You can do it yourself by organizing a contour in the yard. It will increase the safety of the boiler operation several times.
Why are gas boilers grounded?
There are two main reasons why you should pay attention to the connection of the steel body of the heater to the grounding bus:
- The electronic control systems of the unit are sensitive to various surface currents or statics that accumulate on metal parts during operation. The consequence of the influence of such undesirable factors can be a malfunction of the processor or its failure.
- In the event of possible gas leaks, the appearance of a spark in most cases leads to an explosion. Grounding neutralizes any potential or leakage, eliminating the possibility of an accident.
Both wall-mounted and floor-standing boilers must be grounded.
What types of grounding are
Grounding is a set of measures and technical means for electrical connection of equipment and electrical installations to the ground. Such contact, as a rule, is carried out through a special device, which is based on a structure of steel elements.
Grounding can be done in two ways: natural and artificial. The quality of the contact may be different for them, therefore, in each individual situation, it is necessary to measure the resistance of the neutralizing device in order to determine its suitability for connecting to equipment.
Natural
Under natural means grounding conductors in the form of various building structures and metal supports, which are buried in the soil layer:
- various foundations, where the reinforcement acts as a frame;
- underground communications made of steel and other metals;
- supports for repeaters, power supply lines, substations;
- armored cables - their sheaths;
- railway rails are sometimes used.
In any case, the listed elements are suitable for connection. The exception is reinforced concrete structures in contact with soil with low moisture content - less than 3%.
Artificial
This type of grounding is specially installed by a person for the specific purpose of protecting electrical and other devices. Most often these are metal pins or pipes (electrodes) inserted into specially prepared soil and welded together.
Artificial grounding has two functions. In the first case, it can be used for more stable operation of devices and their protection from unwanted currents - it is called working. In another situation, it can be organized to prevent a person from receiving electrical injuries. Such grounding is called protective.
Competent grounding of gas equipment
To connect the gas boiler to the soil, you can choose any type of grounding - both natural and artificial.In the first case, it is necessary to exclude from the list of possible options a steel sewer pipe, a heating main and barrels for storing flammable liquids. The heater must be connected at least at two points to the selected underground facility.
If the choice fell on an artificial ground electrode, before installing it, the soil is analyzed for moisture and electrical conductivity. If the assessment results are positive, you can independently assemble the structure or buy a ready-made one. In this case, the heater can be connected via one connecting bus.
Materials for grounding a gas boiler
There are rules and regulations that indicate the parameters of materials acceptable for the organization of a grounding device for a gas heater.
- The heater must be connected to earth through a switchboard equipped with appropriate fittings.
- The cable for grounding (bus), going from the contour in the ground to the electrical panel, must have a cross-sectional area of copper at least 10 mm square, aluminum at least 16 mm square, steel wire at least 75 mm square.
- The vertically installed metal structure must be assembled from a profile-shaped pipe, an I-beam, a channel or a corner. They should be united by a tire tied to them by means of spot welding.
It is forbidden to cover all metal structures with insulating or paint-and-lacquer materials.
Installation rules and diagrams
According to regulatory requirements, a site for construction should be selected near the house not closer than one meter to the foundation and not further than five meters from it. This area should be kept out of any use or human presence to avoid electrical injury.
Design and preparatory operations
At this stage, the shape of the grounding contour is chosen, which can be in the form of a triangle with equal sides, rectangle, square, polygon or even line. The chosen option is drawn directly on the surface of the ground in full size. In the case of a triangle, it is recommended to take the lengths of the sides within 2.5-0.5 meters.
To implement the project, you need to prepare the following tools:
- apparatus for welding metal elements;
- electric grinder with cutting wheels for steel;
- an impact drill or hammer drill for making a hole for the cable.
In addition, you will need a heavy hammer or sledgehammer and a bayonet-type shovel.
Ground loop connection
The triangular ground loop is assembled as follows:
- On the drawn sides of the triangle, trenches are made to a depth of 0.7 meters and a width of up to 0.4 meters and one ditch for a cable from the nearest corner to the house.
- Pipes up to 2.5 meters long are driven in at the corners, so that their upper end is under a layer of filled earth 0.35 meters thick.
- The pipes are connected by welding using metal strips with parameters of 0.4x4 cm, at least.
Next, a wire is firmly connected to the structure through a welded bolt.
Before digging trenches, check the conductive capacity of the circuit. Its resistance to electric current should not exceed 10 ohms. If these figures are higher, it is necessary to add pins to the system. After achieving the optimal result, the soil from the ditches is returned to its place. It is desirable that it be more homogeneous, there are not many stones in the composition.
