What It Does

The SENTINEL™: An Alternative Solution to Equipotential Bonding

Traditional Equipotential Bonding can be a complex, time-consuming, and costly exercise, involving the installation of extensive wiring and connection to the earthing grid. However, the SENTINEL™ provides a modern, efficient, and cost-effective alternative with its double insulating properties.

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Equipotential Bonding and the SENTINEL™: A Cost-Effective & Advanced Safety Solution

Information for Installers

The purpose of Equipotential Bonding is to ensure the elimination of electrical voltage gradients in the pool area, protecting swimmers and bystanders from electric shock drowning. Water and electricity don't mix!

In Australia, Equipotential Bonding is a crucial legal requirement for swimming pools. In accordance with AS/NZS 3000: 2018 5.6.2.6.5 (Australian Standard for Wiring Rules), all metallic parts or extraneous conductive elements, such as pool fence spigots, fence posts, ladders, stair handrails, deck handrails, grab rails, sockets, bar stools, etc. in contact with the pool water or within 1.25m of the pool or spa edge must have Equipotential Bonding (Earthing/Grounding) or a deemed to satisfy alternative used.

Advantages of the SENTINEL™

Safety: The SENTINEL™ offers protection against electric shock drowning with its double insulation feature. This ensures that immediate insulation is attained when the socket is fixed in the core hole with the Pure Epoxy Fixing Material and in turn the Extraneous Conductive Element is grouted into the SENTINEL™, preventing any potential electric shock drowning hazards within pool or spa areas.
Cost-effectiveness: As compared to the exorbitant costs of traditional equipotential bonding that may involve laborious tasks and material expenses or the replacement cost of purported non-conductive clear or powder coated elements, the SENTINEL™ serves as a far more wallet-friendly option from the start.
Ease of Installation: The installation of the SENTINEL™ is significantly simpler than ensuring compliance with conventional Equipotential Bonding techniques. This enables a quicker, stress-free setup and design alterations to the location of Extraneous Conductive Elements is almost unlimited.
Product Design: The SENTINEL™ delivers these safety benefits without compromising on aesthetics. Its modern design allows it to be completely hidden from view under cover plates surrounding the Extraneous Conductive Elements and this then blends in seamlessly with any pool’s landscape design.
Ease of Proof: For building certifiers to check that an Extraneous Conductive Element is insulated and protected, with the SENTINEL™ this becomes as simple as lifting a cover plate and seeing the black flange of the Electrical Insulation Socket. Not as simple to check if Extraneous Conductive Elements are equipotential bonded or that a purported non-conductive spigot is non conductive.

In conclusion, The SENTINEL™ offers a smart, sophisticated, and cost-effective solution for Equipotential Bonding requirements. By replacing traditional methods, it guarantees safety, aesthetic appeal due to being hidden, and peace of mind to users in pool areas, along with significant cost savings. Whether you’re an architect, landscape designer, pool builder, pool fence installer or pool owner, choosing the SENTINEL™ not only meets legal requirements but is also a true enduring investment in safety.

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Comparison Table

Criteria	SENTINEL™ Electrical Insulation Socket	“Non-Conductive” (coated/sleeved) spigots	Traditional Equipotential Bonding (earthing)
What it is	Patented socket that electrically insulates the metal element at the core hole; becomes double-insulated once epoxied and the element is grouted in.	Metal spigots with an insulating sleeve/coating system marketed as non-conductive to touch.	A wiring method that bonds metallic items together and to earth so they stay at the same potential.
Primary goal	Prevent hazardous voltage gradients by insulating the element itself.	Use an external barrier (sleeve/coating) so the installed spigot isn’t conductive to touch.	Eliminate touch‑voltage differences via bonding per wiring rules.
Compliance pathway	Promoted as a deemed‑to‑satisfy alternative to equipotential bonding for metallic parts within 1.25 m of pool/spa edge.	Claims vary by supplier; some market 'no earthing required' when sleeves/caps are intact. Actual compliance depends on product design, docs and local regulators.	Unless an approved deemed-to-satisfy (DTS) alternative is used, AS/NZS 3000:2018 requires this measure for conductive parts near pools and spas. This requirement is well established in the standard and regulator guidance.
Installation	Core drill → epoxy the SENTINEL → grout in the spigot/post → covered by dress ring. Vented, modular/bayonet; can be lengthened.	Installed like a standard spigot with insulating sleeve and caps/dress ring. Parts must remain in place to preserve insulation.	Licensed electrician installs bonding conductors and connects to earthing; coordinated with pool build.
Speed & cost	Marketed as faster and more economical than traditional bonding (no electrician for earthing tasks).	Similar to standard installs, but lifecycle costs if sleeves/caps are damaged or need replacement.	Time‑consuming and costly (materials + electrician + inspections).
Durability / failure modes	Insulates at the socket (not surface), bypassing risks from scratched/chipped coatings or missing caps; promoted as safer than non‑conductive spigots.	Dependent on integrity of sleeve/coating and caps; UV/chemical/mechanical damage can compromise performance.	Performance depends on intact conductors/connections and proper terminations; can be affected by later earthworks/alterations.
Visibility for certifiers	Simple visual check: lift the cover plate—look for the black SENTINEL flange as proof of insulation.	No universal visual indicator of ongoing electrical performance; relies on sleeve/coat and caps remaining correct/undamaged.	Verified via electrical documentation/testing rather than a quick visual under a cover plate.
Aesthetics & finishes	Hidden under cover plates; inclusive of popular stainless finishes (polished/brushed).	Sleeve/coat options (e.g., black/white/silver) and dress rings change the visible assembly.	No visible change to hardware; bonding is concealed within the structure/wiring.
Retrofitting	Simpler to retrofit/extend than bonding grids, which may be hard to modify after construction.	Possible by swapping spigots/sleeves, but still relies on sleeve integrity once installed.	Retrofitting bonding (adding conductors, access to reinforcement/fixtures) can be intrusive and complex.
Typical use cases	Pool fence spigots, posts, ladders, handrails, grab rails, sockets, bar stools and more.	Pool‑fence spigots marketed as 'no earthing required' with insulating sleeve systems.	Any conductive parts around pools/spas within arm’s reach (~1.25 m), plus reinforcing steel, etc.