Im currently in a dispute with UK power networks about who is responsible for the incoming earth? Now, i know under normal circumstances the owner has to take responsibility for the external earth, if an earth has never been provided via the normal channels (TNS, TNSC).
This particular installation is, what i believe to be a TNS. Based in urban north London.
Ive had fluctuating readings from 1.4ohms to 80 ohms. Now i can't seem to get this down any more than 20 odd ohms. The uk power network chap, couldn't even get a reading. (his tester looked old and beaten.)
UK power networks are disputing it ever being a TNS system because it doesn't have one of their connections on. The ribbon or whatever its called. Thats their main defence. For me, that doesn't prove they have never provided an earth. someone could have take off their soldered connection.
Does this not look like a traditional TNS but without the soldered earth???
Within the 3 property building, one lady has certificates, from the past, stating the characteristics of the supply, (TNS) and the earth readings, 0.4 ohms.
Now this would suggest to me, the power providers, provided an earth, but at some point, the integrity of the earth has been breached.
Ive been lead to believe, if you can prove, their supply has previously provided an earth to the building, then its UK power networks responsibility to maintain it?
Their argument is, we can't prove its ever had an earth through outer sheathing of the cable. If we have certification, is that classed of some type of proof.
I understand all the options or rodding down or a PME system, chargeable to the client being installed.
I personally think, the property of the suppliers has been damaged, due to deterioration, over time and there for has caused a break in the continuity of the earth. And therefor think they should pay to being in a new service?
Last thing, the 1st engineer who came out, (old boy) said, "usually when this happens, its because the earth connection in the road has failed, over the years.(basically admitting there's a fault on their supply). The cables themselves are solid but where the lead meets the earthing connection, its somehow come away. Theres heavy building works on the street, this may be a cause?
I hope this all makes sence.
What do you all think?
Kind Regards.
Amy
This particular installation is, what i believe to be a TNS. Based in urban north London.
Ive had fluctuating readings from 1.4ohms to 80 ohms. Now i can't seem to get this down any more than 20 odd ohms. The uk power network chap, couldn't even get a reading. (his tester looked old and beaten.)
UK power networks are disputing it ever being a TNS system because it doesn't have one of their connections on. The ribbon or whatever its called. Thats their main defence. For me, that doesn't prove they have never provided an earth. someone could have take off their soldered connection.
Does this not look like a traditional TNS but without the soldered earth???
Within the 3 property building, one lady has certificates, from the past, stating the characteristics of the supply, (TNS) and the earth readings, 0.4 ohms.
Now this would suggest to me, the power providers, provided an earth, but at some point, the integrity of the earth has been breached.
Ive been lead to believe, if you can prove, their supply has previously provided an earth to the building, then its UK power networks responsibility to maintain it?
Their argument is, we can't prove its ever had an earth through outer sheathing of the cable. If we have certification, is that classed of some type of proof.
I understand all the options or rodding down or a PME system, chargeable to the client being installed.
I personally think, the property of the suppliers has been damaged, due to deterioration, over time and there for has caused a break in the continuity of the earth. And therefor think they should pay to being in a new service?
Last thing, the 1st engineer who came out, (old boy) said, "usually when this happens, its because the earth connection in the road has failed, over the years.(basically admitting there's a fault on their supply). The cables themselves are solid but where the lead meets the earthing connection, its somehow come away. Theres heavy building works on the street, this may be a cause?
I hope this all makes sence.
What do you all think?
Kind Regards.
Amy