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?

 

[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

 

[Baker1988]

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?

Report it if you want to, they is nothing stating you have legally got to its basically down to your own moral code, i personally would tell my boss that its by passed then its up to him if he wants to report it.

 

[gazdkw82]

Report it if you want to, they is nothing stating you have legally got to its basically down to your own moral code, i personally would tell my boss that its by passed then its up to him if he wants to report it.

Well learn something new everyday

 

[Andy78]

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?

The last one I saw I contacted the sparky who had worked on it a few months back. Genuine oversight, and he turned up to correct the work. Saved getting an innocent householder and complacent sparky in the mire.

 

[littlespark]

Correct me if i'm wrong, but I believe this property to be empty and under refurbishment. So...
1. There may not be anyone in the house to be bothered if its energised or not.
2. There may not be anyone in the house in any danger if it is left energised.

Personally, I would contact the DNO and put the ball in their court, explain to the customer why it is a danger and advise them to stay out until DNO rectify

Edit:
Tell the customer to contact the DNO. OP wasn't there doing any work.

 

[MDJ]

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.

Thats why your a trainee and not a skilled man.