No main earth in domestic supply

[P&Q]

Hi everyone,

I got called in by a customer to install a new circuit for their cooker in the kitchen. So I went over and looked at the main supply and there was no earth. So I told them to get in touch with their supplier and ask about this missing main incoming earth cable and what is the Earthing system, and this afternoon he got back to me, and Scottish Power had simply said, some houses have earth and some really old ones don't - all they have is a Phase and a Neutral cable, and that's it and they're not gonna do anything about it.

I was just wondering, what the deal is with is, should I get back to them myself, or even set up a TT system myself?

Appreciate any advice in advanced guys

 

[mrmatt]

Supplier earths are not compulsary however if they provide one they have to maintain it.

If there is no earth present then RCD and Earth Rod is needed ASAP

 

[bugsy]

They shoul have verified the supply but from what you have stated its TT , get them to upgrade the supply - does it have an elcb.

 

[domestic spark]

sod them! pme it if you achieve less than 0.35ohms your all good to go. and remember, thats how you found it before you done any works!

 

[Phil]

i would rod it and ask the dno if there is pme in the area

 

[Stress head]

I had the same problem recently. Contact the dno and ask them if it's a pme area. The house I looked at had no earth but they confirmed it was a pme area and came out within the hour and installed a earth bar free of charge.

 

[P&Q]

Thanks everyone!
I forgot to mention, the CU is very old, but surprisingly someone's been in and connected a 6mm cable from the earth bar and bonded it to the gas pipe, and used a yellow and green cable which shows it can't be that old, and there's a new type earth clamp too. I'm surprised that no other electrician that's been in before has spotted the problem.
The house holder has moved in about 5 years ago and they hold no certificates or anything so I have no way of knowing the history of what' been done here before.
Thanks for all you replies again - all very helpful
just wondering if it's possible that the DNO has given my customer wrong info? If so, how can I be sure to get accurate info from them?

 

[Stress head]

Best call them yourself and use the words dangerous and unsafe. They'll put you through to their sparks/engineers

 

[P&Q]

I had the same problem recently. Contact the dno and ask them if it's a pme area. The house I looked at had no earth but they confirmed it was a pme area and came out within the hour and installed a earth bar free of charge.

Thanks, and sorry your reply must have come while I was typing my response, thank you I will be in touch with the DNO myself then

 

[chiplard]

sod them! pme it if you achieve less than 0.35ohms your all good to go. and remember, thats how you found it before you done any works!

What do you mean PME it?

 

[Engineer54]

If you can get the DNO to PME your supply (if in a PME area) ...Do it. By far superior, to any TT system you could install....

 

[telectrix]

What do you mean PME it?

he means tamper with the dno's supply, norty boy.

 

[chiplard]

I was hoping it was a badly worded statement and he was going to ask the DNO to do it for him.

Probably not tho, not with phrases like 'sod them' and ' if you get less than 0.35, your good to go'

 

[Engineer54]

sod them! pme it if you achieve less than 0.35ohms your all good to go. and remember, thats how you found it before you done any works!

Hmmmmm, ...It's not quite as simple as that i'm afraid, and that could lead to very dangerous situations...

 

[domestic spark]

What do you mean PME it?

turn supply into a tn-cs system!

 

[chiplard]

How you gonna do that?

 

[saveloy]

turn supply into a tn-cs system!

How will you know if the supply is Tn-cs?

 

[Stress head]

If the dno connects it pme they will also seal the main fuse and meter tails for you.

 

[domestic spark]

i knew this statement would shock people, its an option if you dont want to wait around for there 3 houyr response time! sorry guys ill take it back, but somethimes you mite not have 3 hours!

 

[domestic spark]

obv i have never done this (just to clarify)

 

[P&Q]

Thanks for all your helpful advice guys, I'll get in touch with the DNO then.

 

[chiplard]

i knew this statement would shock people, its an option if you dont want to wait around for there 3 houyr response time! sorry guys ill take it back, but somethimes you mite not have 3 hours!

Really!

Please never do this, EVER!!!!!

 

[domestic spark]

How will you know if the supply is Tn-cs?

test main head and check pfc

 

[fire]

What do you mean PME it?

i think he means connect the 16mm earth with the neutral then measure ze if its less than 0.35 you are ok. not sure if thats good practice tho.

 

[domestic spark]

sorry p&q yes do that contact DNO. who will PME it for you!