Do you need an earth rod for an outbuilding?

[Josh95]

Do i need an earth rod if i am running a supply to a shed/outbuilding ?

The incoming supply to the house is tnc-s

 

[Rpa07]

All due respect josh, this is one if not the most talked about subject and the answer is definitely in previous posts. All good information. Search the forum with the search button and then use the similar threads underneath the page as you scroll down.
See you in a couple of weeks! (that's how many there are)
You will find the answer but people will also pipe up. Cheers, Rob

 

[The Ghost]

Search for Exporting PME on this forum and it gives you the various alternatives for supply to garage. TT system is one option and to me makes the most sense but there are other ways.

 

[Pat H]

Of course the top hit if you search "Exporting PME" will be this Topic

 

[Last plumber]

Read the ' garage earth ' thread, that's still ongoing kind of !
If you spoke to 50 sparks, 25 will tell you one thing and the other 25 will tell you the another.
Then they'll argue amongst themselves a while whilst you have a brew.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Josh, there is an excellent article, that was published in the IET's Wiring Matters magazine that covers this, and other, issues relating to outbuildings power.
electrical installations outdoors: a supply to a detached outbuilding

Note; it was written a few years ago (16th edition) but the principles are the same.

 

[bigspark17]

So much more info required josh!

 

[Pat H]

Don't forget Josh there often isn't a right answer. The regulations often don't prescribe exact methods. They detail what you must do and what you mustn't do. But it also states that you can use alternative solutions as long as they provide equivalent or better safety to the suggested solutions.
As long as you aren't breaching a regulation (or doing so without a supported method to demonstrate your approach is safer, better etc) then the finer detail is just about choice and preference.
The best you can do is gather all the views. Check the regs yourself and come to your own solution. It won't be the solution everyone would chose but as long as its compliant and safe you are ok.

 

[tony mc]

Exporting Pme - http://www.electriciansforums.co.uk/threads/exporting-pme.113254/

 

[Josh95]

seems like a bit of a grey area.

 

[The Ghost]

Well essentially normally DNO's dont like extending PME to garages, outhouses. That is why A TT system is used. For instance if you asked your DNO would they guarantee their PME in your garage at say 20m away see what they say. Might be a good starting point for how you are gonna go about it?

 

[Pat H]

But surely some large houses will have runs greater than 20 mtrs? I know of some houses fed from one single phase supply with very long runs internally.
And for a garage using heavy SWA with its earth (larger than T&E CPC) surely you'd have as good if not better than a large house would have.

 

[bigspark17]

Read the ' garage earth ' thread, that's still ongoing kind of !
If you spoke to 50 sparks, 25 will tell you one thing and the other 25 will tell you the another.
Then they'll argue amongst themselves a while whilst you have a brew.

And maybe 5 would understand why their doing it which way!

 

[bigspark17]

seems like a bit of a grey area.

Not really a grey area atall, why dont you give us more info and tell us how you intend to do it and youll may get more advice.

 

[westward10]

And the band played on.