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Earth Banjo Securing Practices


Recently, I’ve noticed an increasing trend in the use of self-tapers to secure earth banjos. The other  end of the cable has an earth tail from the banjo, secured with a 6mm bolt and nut. Has anyone else observed this practice, and what are your thoughts on its effectiveness or potential implications? I’d be interested in hearing different perspectives or experiences with this setup. 
-Andrew

Parents
  • What is the composition of the screw?  Is it stainless steel or just ordinary steel or a coated steel?  Some screws use
    Carbon steel
    Stainless Steel
    Brass
    Aluminimum
    Copper
    Bronze

    Disimilar metals inside an enclosure.  Mmmmm might get some corrosion due to an Anode and a Cathode
    Other points to consider will be the screw coating, waxed or treated.  Eg Spax have YELLOW which they say offer better corrosion resistance.  Other people may just simple opt for Galvanised screw.
    Screw head type is also important.  Pan head or flange head screws should be what is used but I have seen many installs where a counter sunk wood screw is used.   These leaves a raised edge for people to catch there skin on and also more importantly for cables to snag on or cut through the conductor insulation.
    Other points to consider.  How was that fixing applied?  By hand with a screw driver, combo drill or the dreaded impact driver?  The impact driver can over tighten and distort a screw, it can also do other strange things to a CU/DB due to its vibration.  Further issues may present when these screw are done after the internals are in place as when the impact forces the self tapper into the metalwork there are fragments of metal sent everywhere within that enclosure some will enter the switch gear.

    As a side note if I saw that install with the screws pertruding like that I would ask for the person to come back to resolve it. ( cut down at the very least).  Those screws look very sharp, sharp enough to cut metal you say.  YES,  Well WTF will it do to someone’s hands.  (Other more polite phrases are available)

    My personal preference would be nut and bolt with spring washer for the Earthing Ring in other situation the Pirahna Nut (Other Bands are available) would also be a good choice.  It has a smooth side and a serrated or roughned side so it scrapes the paint off to get to bare metal to make a good electromechanical connection.

Reply
  • What is the composition of the screw?  Is it stainless steel or just ordinary steel or a coated steel?  Some screws use
    Carbon steel
    Stainless Steel
    Brass
    Aluminimum
    Copper
    Bronze

    Disimilar metals inside an enclosure.  Mmmmm might get some corrosion due to an Anode and a Cathode
    Other points to consider will be the screw coating, waxed or treated.  Eg Spax have YELLOW which they say offer better corrosion resistance.  Other people may just simple opt for Galvanised screw.
    Screw head type is also important.  Pan head or flange head screws should be what is used but I have seen many installs where a counter sunk wood screw is used.   These leaves a raised edge for people to catch there skin on and also more importantly for cables to snag on or cut through the conductor insulation.
    Other points to consider.  How was that fixing applied?  By hand with a screw driver, combo drill or the dreaded impact driver?  The impact driver can over tighten and distort a screw, it can also do other strange things to a CU/DB due to its vibration.  Further issues may present when these screw are done after the internals are in place as when the impact forces the self tapper into the metalwork there are fragments of metal sent everywhere within that enclosure some will enter the switch gear.

    As a side note if I saw that install with the screws pertruding like that I would ask for the person to come back to resolve it. ( cut down at the very least).  Those screws look very sharp, sharp enough to cut metal you say.  YES,  Well WTF will it do to someone’s hands.  (Other more polite phrases are available)

    My personal preference would be nut and bolt with spring washer for the Earthing Ring in other situation the Pirahna Nut (Other Bands are available) would also be a good choice.  It has a smooth side and a serrated or roughned side so it scrapes the paint off to get to bare metal to make a good electromechanical connection.

Children