Help needed, something I've dug up in the garden....

[skewiff]

hello, just needed some advice really, i'm not an electrician but just wanted to find out what this was and whether it is safe to dig it up. the top of thepole was just below the surface of the ground and it seems to be concreted in hard. it's about a foot long i guess, i'd like to dig it up and get rid of it, i'll need to hire a jack-hammer or something to get it out as its stuck fast, but i'm wondering if it's safe to do so, my initial thought is it's some kind of earthing (?) and wouldn't be "live" as such or connected to any wiring under the ground but as i'm no electrical expert i'm probably wrong, anyway here are the pics, thanks in advance....

 

[Jay Sparks]

Its an earth rod. If your installation is not a tt then you can pull it out. If your not sure, get an electrician in to make sure you haven't dissconected your earth.





JaY

 

[Sav]

Hi,
Thats an "earth rod". Its a form of earthing to the property caled a "TT system"

Thing is though, if the earthing conductor (green/yellow) cable is cut, how is the property earthed?

Did you find it like this, or has it been cut by a builder or someone??

I would maybe get an electrician to check the main earthing of the property.
It should be ok, as I would presume that there is another earth rod somewhere maybe, but just to be safe.

It is safe to remove though, thats if it is not required anymore.

Hope this is of some help,
best regards,
Sav

 

[Jay Sparks]

Sorry, forgot to mention, make sure its not the earth rod for your neighbours....

Was the cable already cut?

FYI, its not LIVE.



Jay

 

[Strima]

As Jay says, it's an earth rod. Best get your system checked to ensure it's earthed correctly, doesn't take long and won't cost much. Better safe than sorry.

 

[CRAGS]

Looks like it was cut a while ago judging by the first picture. ??

 

[ACL]

Jay is correct, it's an earth rod.
How far away from the property is it?
If it's down the end of the garden then your probably safe enough to dig it out but it's going to be about a metre long.
As Jay has said you will need to check the earthing arrangements in your property befrore getting rid of it.

 

[skewiff]

hi thanks for the fast replies! yes the cable at the top was already cut. the garden was very overgrown and i've just been clearing it and digging it over and just came across this today. the garden is for my flat but is not adjacent to my house if you see what i mean, i have the top floor flat and this garden is next to the ground floor flat's garden. hope this makes sense.

 

[Rockingit]

You might want to get this checked because: It's possible that it's the earth for the flat downstairs (or was, anyway) but it's also possible that YOUR earth might be intended to come off it as well, depends on the distribution of the earth in the building. So, despite it being a way from your property, it might actually have left you with no earth which is a serious safety issue. As others have said, will only cost a few quid to get a proper sparks in to have a look.

 

[Jay Sparks]

Can you take a pic of your service head? We may be able to tell you what earth system you have..... Although maybe not a tt if you live in a flat...



Jay

 

[skewiff]

really good advice thanks so much everyone, i will get my electrician in to have a look as soon as poss. nothings ever straighforward is it? i'm not sure what the service head is jay sparks, do you mean the meter?

 

[ACL]

It sounds like you might want to get the earthing arrangements checked out just in case.
How far from the building is it?
Most rods will be very close if they're in use.
A picture of the meter area for your flat and that of your neighbours would be useful.

 

[Moses]

As Jay says, it's an earth rod. Best get your system checked to ensure it's earthed correctly, doesn't take long and won't cost much. Better safe than sorry.

I am a Electrical Trainee and proud of it!!!​

Therefore any advice given should be ignored..

How can I become Electrical Trainee qualified ?

How many weeks is this course and where can I buy it from?

Is there a wholesaler?

Did you get a certificate with it?

You are well qualified!​

 

[GLENNSPARK]

just looking at the pic....the main earthing looks to have been cropped cleanly....snips?...look.....get an electrician to whip round...do a Ze on it....i would do it for an ale....that`l tell ya...if you`v got a decent earthing arrangement...or not..lol...

 

[Jay Sparks]

just looking at the pic....the main earthing looks to have been cropped cleanly....snips?...look.....get an electrician to whip round...do a Ze on it....i would do it for an ale....that`l tell ya...if you`v got a decent earthing arrangement...or not..lol...

Ive heard you will do owt for an ale.....even are lass...lol

Jay