no earth

[sima24]

Hi, been to look at a rewire today and no earth connection at all. Tried to contact supply company to enquire weather the property is connected to a pme system but no joy after holding most the afternoon. I presume supply company doesnt have to supply an earth but just wondering if they would upgrade to pme or not? Or possibly it is a pme system but earth has been disconnected at some point (no sign of pme label tho) any views appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Engineer54]

It has to be treat like one to illiminate the code 2 departure to allow an addition or alteration.

Pardon?? If there isn't a made electrode connected to the installation, then it's not a TT system, it's that simple!!

The OP's best bet, is to contact the area's DNO and ask if a PME connection is available on the distribution cable supplying this house.

 

[chilliwilly]

Pardon?? If there isn't a made electrode connected to the installation, then it's not a TT system, it's that simple!!

The OP's best bet, is to contact the area's DNO and ask if a PME connection is available on the distribution cable supplying this house.

Can you tell me what defines a TT system please? And what is wrong with inserting one or more spikes in the ground to create or improve the earthing arrangement, for pre testing or design for a permanent earthing atrangement?

 

[thekernal]

Hi, been to look at a rewire today and no earth connection at all. Tried to contact supply company to enquire weather the property is connected to a pme system but no joy after holding most the afternoon. I presume supply company doesnt have to supply an earth but just wondering if they would upgrade to pme or not? Or possibly it is a pme system but earth has been disconnected at some point (no sign of pme label tho) any views appreciated. Thanks.

Hi. I had the same problem. Went to upgrade the cu at my new house currently and the was no earth. No connected or visible earth rod and no pme.
I called southern electric on the distribution number and they forwarded me to the electrical emergency department.

They booked a pme enquiry but said there would be a charge after they establist it could be done. When the guys from the board came round they did a Ze, got 0.18 ohms. Threw a 16mm in to their neutral and gave me an MET and a length of 16mm to connect the new cu. No charge. Didnt even want a cuppa.

Couldn't have asked for a better result.

 

[Engineer54]

Can you tell me what defines a TT system please? And what is wrong with inserting one or more spikes in the ground to create or improve the earthing arrangement, for pre testing or design for a permanent earthing atrangement?

Nothing wrong in inserting one or more rods/spikes in the ground to create or improve any earthing arrangement, be it TN-S or TNC-S or even to improve an existing TT system etc!! In electrical earthing terms, a TT system needs an earth electrode. As the OP has stated that no earthing is present at this installation, and no mention of bonding connections to service pipes (not that i would call that a TT system either, which is also not permissible )etc, then it ain't a TT system is it??

 

[Guitarist]

Pardon?? If there isn't a made electrode connected to the installation, then it's not a TT system, it's that simple!!

The OP's best bet, is to contact the area's DNO and ask if a PME connection is available on the distribution cable supplying this house.

Totally agree, and can't see the issue here. When I find installations with bad earth connections, UKPN treat it as an emergency, and if they can't get out straight away, they'll certainly be out within 48 hours.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

If its a back to back around Armley, doing it "right" might not be an option and certainly not profitable for a rewire quote.

well for a start...you`l find that a lot of `em in back to back areas like armley, harehills etc are TN-S....theres often evidence though of the old earth rod in the cellars...

be aware as well that quite a few of `em (not all) but quite a few are high....

 

[Geordie Spark]

well for a start...you`l find that a lot of `em in back to back areas like armley, harehills etc are TN-S....theres often evidence though of the old earth rod in the cellars...

be aware as well that quite a few of `em (not all) but quite a few are high....

Is that because of what is growing in the cellars??

 

[Silly Sausage]

Is that because of what is growing in the cellars??

Can't be spotted by the helicopters!

 

[Geordie Spark]

Can't be spotted by the helicopters!

Exactly !!!!

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Can't be spotted by the helicopters!

well Archy...
i have it on good information the current trend for growers is to erect a kind of `tent` in the loft...this shields any horticultural activities from `prying eyes`..

i also have it on good information that the current trend for growers is erm...well, nicking current....

 

[chilliwilly]

Totally agree, and can't see the issue here. When I find installations with bad earth connections, UKPN treat it as an emergency, and if they can't get out straight away, they'll certainly be out within 48 hours.

Which power company is that? YNEDL or what ever they call themselves these days just will not send anyone out to pme the cut out, almost as if it cost too much?.

And hows this for paralasys by analasys. About 10 years ago I got a call from a couple in the Alwoodley area of Leeds to say that YEDL had disconnected them due to no equipotential bond on the usual, on older properties. It wouldn't have done them any good at that time as there were no main earth, or spike.

They were told from the network engineer that their electrical installation was dangerous and he was duty bound to disconnect it. And that they should contact an electrician to install the equipotential bonds, and they would be straight back to reconnect them. Hence they became new customers as I carried out the bonds to gas and water, 100ma rcd and an earth spike.

It took them 2 weeks to get reconnected, and the same engineer that came out didn't even bother to pme the system. They had to tolerate another six months of B.S. and nuisance trips. He even had the cheek to say that my method of checking the resistance value of the spike wasn't good enough. And that I should have carried out an earth loop test to obtain a ZE value? I wasn't there at the time but I wish I had of been.

 

[Toonlad]

This thread has been informative. Still watching it.

 

[chilliwilly]

well Archy...
i have it on good information the current trend for growers is to erect a kind of `tent` in the loft...this shields any horticultural activities from `prying eyes`..

i also have it on good information that the current trend for growers is erm...well, nicking current....

I was asked by a dodgy looking geezer to install aircon in an old barn down in Lincolnshire with a remote control on it. He must have been doing a bit of homework on cooling because he asked me to oversize it. He wouldn't tell me why he wanted the remote. But there were a number of people scattered around and about with walkie talkies...

 

[Silly Sausage]

well Archy...
i have it on good information ........

I'll bow to your superior knowledge on those matters Glenn! :wink_smile:

 

[Mork]

Just a note for engineer 54, it doesnt half to be an earth rod to make it TT,any permenently fixed earth source will suffice.