Foundation formwork made of Poroton bricks

Whether this is just wishful thinking or if the foundation earth conductor was indeed throw in by the bricklayers contrary to standard practice and regulations can be clarified by asking for the acceptance protocol.

At Elektro+ there is a writable acceptance form, which still needs to be supplemented by plans and detailed photos.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed that your grounding system is one of the norm-compliant exceptions and that DIN 18014:2014-03 is also observed for the floor slab.

EDIT: Link to Elektro+ deleted due to forum rules

Whether this is just wishful thinking or the foundation earth conductor was indeed, contrary to the usual practice, improperly "thrown through" by the bricklayers can be clarified by asking for the acceptance protocol.

At Elektro+ there is a writable acceptance form, which still needs to be supplemented by plans and detailed photos.

I keep my fingers crossed that your grounding system belongs to the norm-compliant exceptions and that DIN 18014:2014-03 is also observed for the slab on grade.

EDIT: Link to Elektro+ deleted due to forum rules

I am afraid our grounding system was not installed according to the standard either. I will ask for the acceptance protocol soon; currently, we are in the interior finishing phase of the house.

If, as I suspect, no protocol was created, how can the general contractor remedy the situation / fix the defect?

sorry for hijacking the thread

sorry for hijacking the thread

I will definitely have to deal with that as well. Therefore, that is a good question.

If, as I suspect, no protocol was created, how can the general contractor rectify / fix the defect?

Only temporary solutions are possible afterwards. The best option is a stainless steel ring earth electrode laid at a distance of 1 m and at a depth of 0.8 m, material number 1.4571 (V4A), which, however, can only be norm-compliantly connected afterwards by exposure every 20 m of the house perimeter to the round or strip steel laid in the foundation or floor slab. If increased soil resistivity is present due to WU concrete, perimeter insulation, or glass foam gravel, a ring earth electrode, primarily below the foundations, should have been installed anyway. The second variant as a cheap crutch solution is the installation of a stainless steel deep earth electrode with a length of 9 m recommended in lightning protection construction, whose earth spreading resistance does not correspond to a norm-compliant foundation or ring earth electrode and where, in the case of a rare direct strike to an antenna or photovoltaic system, the lightning currents are not discharged over a wide area into the ground. Yesterday I attended a topping-out ceremony. At the construction site, at least the connection flag was made of stainless steel, but once again no test protocol. Neither the general contractor nor an architect as a guest, both of whom build with above-average quality, know either DIN 18014:2007-9 or DIN 18014:2014-03. 12 years later, DIN 18014 is still far too "new" to be known; it is enough to make you tear your hair out! Electrical specialists, who only need to glance at a connection flag sticking out of the ground and possibly already rusting to certify an unseen grounding system as norm-compliant like faith healers, are always to be found.

Throwing in without spacers "into the trench" is only permitted with NIRO, material number 1.4571 (V4A), in unreinforced foundations. If the foundation or the slab is reinforced, that is not enough either, because then the screws are missing after max. 2 meters.

I already know the term rocket science from another user, coincidence or your alter ego? The masons are responsible for the foundation, and since DIN 18014:2007-09 only licensed EFKs (earthing and lightning protection electricians) are responsible for the foundation earth electrode, who must document the execution by measurement and photographically.

You probably wouldn't bet on a standards-compliant execution, and if, as I fear, you are identical to a self-proclaimed "practitioner" like me, you would fail solely due to ignorance of the current DIN 18014:2014-03. You can simply disprove the assumption that you are competent and I am wrong by answering this question promptly: What is written on page 13 of DIN 18014:2014-03 in the first line of text?

A shell construction company is free to waive simpler formworks. But without the prescribed measurement documentation, it is doubtful whether the foundation earth electrode or even just the connecting strap was installed in accordance with the standard.

Everything you say here will probably be true. I doubt that I am the known "practitioner." I have not been here that long yet. Rocket science is a word certainly used by more than three people. I am also not an EFK who does house installations day in and day out, and certainly not lightning protection systems. Of course, I do not bet on it. Because how many house constructions take place in compliance with this standard? 1%? If at all... And that is the crucial point. The thing simply always works. How many standards and rules do we have here in Germany that are absolutely unnecessary? I do not count these among the absolutely unnecessary ones, but I hope you understand what I mean. Much ado about nothing. I assume you work in the industry and just want to distinguish yourself here. Otherwise, I cannot explain this standards babble.

Either you let it rest because it will simply work, or you have it recorded in writing just in case.

By the way, something else. I have already heard it several times... Whether it applies to this standard here or not, I do not know. But Dipol certainly does.

Practical Tip

Non-compliance with DIN regulations is dangerous. However, the ruling shows that DIN regulations – which the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) has often pointed out – are not legal norms but at most have the character of recommendations. However, the contractor is obliged to orient himself to the DIN. This does not mean, however, that he is required to blindly trust the DIN standards. If compliance with the DIN makes no sense and the contractually owed result can nevertheless be achieved, he may deviate. However, in this case the contractor has the duty to refute the presumed violation of the recognized rules of technology and to provide evidence of the defect-free quality of his work.

And regarding your foundation earth electrode.



Here comes the first one. It does not look standards-compliant to me, but – as it so nicely says – the contractually owed result is achieved.

Here comes the first one. It doesn’t look standard-compliant to me, but the - as they say - contractually owed result is achieved.

No clue about the relevant DIN 18014 and what is owed according to it, but an opinion.

Let’s get to the point: what exactly seems to YOU to be non-compliant with the grounding system. The new pictures are a feast for any expert showing that the contractually owed execution was disregarded. But which ones?

I’ll let YOU name them first before I make any more rambling comments about how the execution should have been done correctly.