Electrical system using mains water pipe as earth?

Rob2017 · Sep 4, 2017

I'm looking to get a water meter installed on my property, as I don't use much water.

My water provider's website says this:
"When installing meters in properties built before 1996, it may be necessary to replace old metal pipes. Some older electricity systems still rely on the supply pipe providing an 'earth' - this is now prohibited. If you believe your property may have this system, you should contact a qualified electrician to ensure you have an adequate earth."

Is it a difficult or easy task to identify whether this may be the case? My house was built in 1938 and still has a very old electricity meter (the kind with clockface dials, not even a 'digital' read-out). Is this something a non-electrician could identify, or would I need to get someone out?

thanks!

Octopus · Sep 4, 2017

I doubt a diyer could establish what's going on and thus you need to get a local spark to test the Ze and then Zs to draw any conclusions ....

davesparks · Sep 4, 2017

Post up a picture of the cutout, meter, fuseboard and anything else fitted in the vicinity, and a picture of your incoming water main and we might be able to advise.

Deleted member 9648 · Sep 4, 2017

It is extremely rare now to find a water pipe serving as the main earth. I haven't seen it for many years.

telectrix · Sep 4, 2017

wirepuller said:
It is extremely rare now to find a water pipe serving as the main earth. I haven't seen it for many years.

better alter mine at home then. anyone got a spare rod?

Octopus · Sep 4, 2017

wirepuller said:
It is extremely rare now to find a water pipe serving as the main earth. I haven't seen it for many years.

I think I've seen more houses without earths recently than those relying on the incoming water pipe!

PEG · Sep 5, 2017

Yep,pictures of the installation,would assist,but do not always match results of testing.
I tested a rod on one occasion,which gave poor results,and had only been in a couple of years.
The same property had an old,redundant steel pipe entering the property,which had fed an oil boiler,once,from the garden. The Ra of which,beat the rod,by a factor of four.

I also remember several properties in north Manchester,all semis,on one road,which were TN-S,but had sweated solid core singles,to short,roman spear like rods,inserted a few feet away,in the sub-floor space.