Main Earthing On DB Help

[richo106]

Hi

Was visiting a friends house yesterday who is having some renovation work done and I was just being nosy but came across his DB (that is due to be changed) with what looked like no main earth. There is an earth connected in the DB but it’s just cut off below the main income ( see pic)

What would people do in this case? Do the suppliers have to provide an earth or is it something an electrician would sort?

 

[elsparko]

ruddy hell pull the fuse!

 

[Deleted member 9648]

I can see one cut off by the head, is the other one going out to a rod? Cant make out whether it's cut off or going through the wall. There's an RCD main switch, could be TT.

 

[richo106]

I can see one cut off by the head, is the other one going out to a rod? Cant make out whether it's cut off or going through the wall. There's an RCD main switch, could be TT.

No both are cut off

 

[Wilko]

Just going on the picture, it looks like there is no earth connection. If so, this is a safety issue and needs an immediate fix. Agree with @wirepuller that it might be have been a TT but why oh why did they cut the green wire? (isn't it the blue wire thats supposed to be cut? (joke))

 

[elsparko]

pop the main isolator in the off postion, lock it off.

 

[Rpa07]

I’ve come across a few lately that have no Earthing conductor connection - both needed to be simply connected to TNS and I’ve no idea why they weren’t - both were picked up by trades fitting stuff 1st was a shower fitted and would commission as no earth showing - I got 0.13 once connected
2nd was the gas man not picking up on his socket tested - I let the customer see Zs at socket (though bonding) of 298 ohms and when earth terminated same Zs 0.68
Both like that for 15 to 20years - they will not be the only ones in the country either!
Not sure whether to blame other trades or the last spark in the premises!
Both customers happy at the ease of the fix and not given too much of a doom and gloom scenario until after I finished the tea and biscuits!

 

[richo106]

Thanks for all the replies, how would it be connected to the TNS? Sorry for the basic questions but never come across this before

 

[The Ghost]

As @buzzlightyear has suggested turn off the main switch. The cover is missing and there are exposed live parts hope there are no children about. Can you take a picture that includes the consumer unit and surrounds and post it?

 

[richo106]

The house is empty and I removed the cover to see if the earths were connected. The DB is back together just seeing what’s the next thing to do

 

[Midwest]

I would isolate the installation, as suggested several times. Then establish the type of supply, the DNO may be able to advise on that and whether they are able to provide an earthing facility.
Have you looked for the presence of an earth rod?

 

[gazdkw82]

As above, isolate it and get DNO to come in. That would be the first steps in finding out.

Is this in a built up area? How old are the houses? Could be worth checking local houses to see what earthing arrangements are being used locally. If close property's are on TNC or TNCS I doubt very much this property would be TT. DNO would confirm

 

[buzzlightyear]

As @buzzlightyear has suggested turn off the main switch

thanks Vort, for thinking it was me ,but is was still in bed when this post when on .or have I pretender .
so I have agreed .

 

[The Ghost]

Sorry @elsparko

 

[MDJ]

I wouldn't isolate it at all, I would bang a rod in and connect to that then ask the DNO to provide an earth, switching someones leccy off and walking away is very nice of you isn't it?

 

[Deleted member 9648]

Agree with MDJ, you cant simply turn off someone's supply, we are not the Electrical Police.

 

[gazdkw82]

Ok so what if you don't have a rod to hand and you cant get one till say, Monday?

I wouldn't walk away with it energised like that.

 

[Baker1988]

Ok so what if you don't have a rod to hand and you cant get one till say, Monday?

I wouldn't walk away with it energised like that.

So you would walk into someones house and turn off the electric till monday when you can get a rod? i know i wouldn't, just tell them the problem try and get the dno out to fix it and dont do any work on it till its sorted. cant go around just turning the electric off to peoples houses for days and even if you did im sure they would turn it back on some how when you left.

 

[123]

I don't see what right or authority we have to leave a dwelling without power in these circumstances. We are not the electrical police, we have no right to turn off the power supply and lock it off until we return at a later date to sort it.

 

[Wilko]

I don't see what right or authority we have to leave a dwelling without power in these circumstances. We are not the electrical police, we have no right to turn off the power supply and lock it off until we return at a later date to sort it.

You are correct. If it's bad bad bad (not had this yet) I would call DNO - I understand they have the authority to remove supply if they consider it dangerous (?).

 

[Deleted member 9648]

The correct procedure is to advise the client of the danger and recommend disconnection until rectification. If they wish to remain energised issue an electrical danger notice in writing.

 

[gazdkw82]

Yeh I get it. Perhaps your right. However I'm not sure I'd want to be standing in the dock explaining why I left an installation energized with no effective earthing.

I suppose the best solution is to get the customer to sign something to say they understand there is no earth but would like the installation kept energized until remedial work can take place

 

[Deleted member 9648]

Yeh I get it. Perhaps your right. However I'm not sure I'd want to be standing in the dock explaining why I left an installation energized with no effective earthing.

I suppose the best solution is to get the customer to sign something to say they understand there is no earth but would like the installation kept energized until remedial work can take place

You would only end up in the dock if you carried out an alteration or addition and left a dangerous situation.

 

[gazdkw82]

Yes very true.

If you turn up to an installation and notice the meter has been bypassed, do we have a duty to report it?

 

[Baker1988]

Yeh I get it. Perhaps your right. However I'm not sure I'd want to be standing in the dock explaining why I left an installation energized with no effective earthing.

I suppose the best solution is to get the customer to sign something to say they understand there is no earth but would like the installation kept energized until remedial work can take place

As above mate if you have not done any work at all on it then nothing will happen to you it will be the person who did its fault not your so you would not end up in the dock