Yesterdays little heart beat skip

Toonlad · Apr 18, 2013

Called around to recce a job coming up soon for a builder. Looks around house (unoccupied - nice one) things looking good for the extension. Takes a look at at existing bonding cu and supply etc. Noted the clamp on the lead covered incomer, thought thats naughty, and it was 10mm. then followed it up the cu and noticed its chopped. Ahhhh no earth, runs back to van gets tester out.

Then I go to take the lid off and notice 2 rcds, eyesight a bit sh1te but it was 100ma and 30 ma,, ok all the signs now point to TT. checks these 2 x 10mm one was to gas and water continuous bond. the other to a spike. Result Get up ye dancer.

Ze was at 0.18ohms happy with that, and better when it goes to 16mm.

But on a side note why was there a clamp on the supply incomer, I did actually test the lead sheath also to confirm earth path, but there was none. I understand why it was chopped due to twig in garage floor.

But why the use of the clamp in this instance, someone just trying to bond the cable also ??

telectrix · Apr 18, 2013

must be relying on water/gas pipes to get that low.

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GLENNSPARK said:
it`l be parallel paths here Tel...

parallel paths should be dissed to measure Ze.

GLENNSPARK · Apr 18, 2013

telectrix said:
must be relying on water/gas pipes to get that low.

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parallel paths should be dissed to measure Ze.[/QUOTE]indeed....
makes you wonder then....

Toonlad · Apr 18, 2013

GLENNSPARK said:
do you think this will make much difference on a TT?

Not over the distance of 2 mtrs no. However there is nothing wrong in striving to get the best reading possible on a TT. Hence more arguments on here accepting anything under 200ohms is fine.

telectrix said:
something smells wrong here. i can't see a Ze of 0.18 on a twig, TBH, even if eng54 istalled it. LOL.

Nothing smelly here lol,why not get a good reading like that ive had a few over the years, it is what it is. Been back this afternoon, checked with another mft, and it was 0.19ohms.

GLENNSPARK said:
it`l be parallel paths here Tel...

No parrallel paths all bonding conductors disconnected at time of testing

power ranger said:
Thats why I asked Toonlad if he had taken the earthing conductor out of the MET.
He said he opened the main switch but not answered fully my question.

Like i said i tested it correctly. Granted i did not quote that i had removed the earth from the MET, but testing correctly is removing it,and opening the switch.

I was back this afternoon, the reading is correct, No parrallel paths the neighbours are on TT there spikes in the garage too.

so can we get back to why was there a clamp on the incomer when there is no earth path on it. The best answer has been power ranger thus far.

[ElectriciansForums.net] Yesterdays little heart beat skip

GLENNSPARK · Apr 18, 2013

Toonlad said:
Not over the distance of 2 mtrs no. However there is nothing wrong in striving to get the best reading possible on a TT. Hence more arguments on here accepting anything under 200ohms is fine.

Nothing smelly here lol,why not get a good reading like that ive had a few over the years, it is what it is. Been back this afternoon, checked with another mft, and it was 0.19ohms.

No parrallel paths all bonding conductors disconnected at time of testing

Like i said i tested it correctly. Granted i did not quote that i had removed the earth from the MET, but testing correctly is removing it,and opening the switch.

I was back this afternoon, the reading is correct, No parrallel paths the neighbours are on TT there spikes in the garage too.

so can we get back to why was there a clamp on the incomer when there is no earth path on it. The best answer has been power ranger thus far.

View attachment 18586

couldn`t agree with you more....depth of rod/s & suitable siting would be the key here....

markc123 · Apr 18, 2013

power ranger said:
I think you are worrying too much!

Probably no need to speak to neighbour, but have you done test with main switch open and earthing conductor taken out of the MET to confirm Ra through your rod?

Wrong.

When the house is unoccupied the neighbour provides the brew labour :lol:

GLENNSPARK · Apr 18, 2013

Toonlad said:
Not over the distance of 2 mtrs no. However there is nothing wrong in striving to get the best reading possible on a TT. Hence more arguments on here accepting anything under 200ohms is fine.

Nothing smelly here lol,why not get a good reading like that ive had a few over the years, it is what it is. Been back this afternoon, checked with another mft, and it was 0.19ohms.

No parrallel paths all bonding conductors disconnected at time of testing

Like i said i tested it correctly. Granted i did not quote that i had removed the earth from the MET, but testing correctly is removing it,and opening the switch.

I was back this afternoon, the reading is correct, No parrallel paths the neighbours are on TT there spikes in the garage too.

so can we get back to why was there a clamp on the incomer when there is no earth path on it. The best answer has been power ranger thus far.

View attachment 18586

probably had been TT...but was then upped to
TN-S...which has since degraded/broken down....if this is the case then another good argument for having backup with rod/s.....like if a system is upgraded....then leave the rod/s in place...cant halm can it....

Toonlad · Apr 18, 2013

Sorry about the size of image, should have edit it before uploading.

Glennspark, sounds about right what you said. I just like to get my head around why we get these little scenarios. I feel so epic now. lmao

44ALLAN · Apr 18, 2013

Bloody hell.... as they say.

Old Northern Electric stickers......I've still got a roll of them somewhere with a coil of wire and seals lol
Subbied for them on a 6 month temp contract 24 year ago

.

Toonlad · Apr 18, 2013

The thing is Allan the meter is on a wooden block angled towards you, so you didnt have to climb in to read under the stairs tiny cubby hole

GLENNSPARK · Apr 18, 2013

44ALLAN said:
Bloody hell.... as they say.

Old Northern Electric stickers......I've still got a roll of them somewhere with a coil of wire and seals lol
Subbied for them on a 6 month temp contract 24 year ago.

well dont you lose em Allan....or if you do then i`l pick em up...lol..

44ALLAN · Apr 18, 2013

GLENNSPARK said:
well dont you lose em Allan....or if you do then i`l pick em up...lol..

Pure coincidence mate but there's one on my meter and main fuse as well

44ALLAN · Apr 18, 2013

Toonlad said:
The thing is Allan the meter is on a wooden block angled towards you, so you didnt have to climb in to read under the stairs tiny cubby hole

I was based in Alnwick........saw some nice cubby holes up there as well .......hole being the operative word mate !!!