No Main Earthing System

[colmagee]

hello,

Can anyone tell me does the lack of a main earthing system in my domestic property mean that it was not installed properly?

or in the past was this not an obligatory safety requirement?

Thanks a lot, much appreciated,

Colin

 

[malcolmsanford]

If you haven't and I stress if, no earting in your house then your in real danger. It's akin to driving without your seat belt, ok until something happens.

Without fail contact an electrician who will come in and test your system for Earth, and will advise you on how to go.

 

[colmagee]

Thanks malcolm,

at the minute I am just trying to establish whether a lack of main earthing constitutes it not being installed properly. for example was this normal and or legal in the past?

Thanks again

Colin

 

[malcolmsanford]

How old is your installation. Certainly within my working lifetime it's never been normal for an installation not to have been earthed, and I very much doubt if it ever as been.

Your installation can be earthed in 2 ways. It's either done by the DNO, that is the distributor ie EDF, EON, with what is called either a TN-S or TNC-S system.

The second way is a TT system using an earth rod which is your responsibilty.

Again unless you have the competence to check this, and the correct test equipment. My first stop would be to call the DNO and explain what you feel, they should in fact send someone down to check.

 

[colmagee]

thanks again Malcolm,

An electrician has already confirmed that there is no earthing system. My gripe was that Ihad taken out a Homecare package with BGas, then when a light fitting went they refused to fix it based on the fact that as a prerequisite I had to have the property main earthed. The small print in the T&Cs said that I wasn't covered unless the 'wiring and fixtures have been installed correctly' so I was just trying to establish whether my property fell into that scenario. I will get it fixed now.

Colin

 

[malcolmsanford]

Did you get some sort of paperwork with this scam telling exactly what was the problem.

Not being funny but if you think the amount of times you have an electrician in your house and then tot up your monthly payments .......

If you had called a local sparks he would not only have fixed that light, but helped you sort out this problem with the earth and it would have not been that expensive. These insurance deals are just like the extended warranties IMO. If the GASmanis right then he as walked away from your home leaving it in a dangerous condition, a sparks would never have done that.

Call your DNO emergency number, should be on your bill, tell them what as happpened and they should send someone round to sort you out. Lay it on tell him your worried you have family and you hear all sorts can happen if the house is not earthed

 

[KINKY]

Be prepared to get the wallet out.

Lived in a house once, was no main earth terminal. I rang DNO expecting them to say sorry and come fix ha ha ha ha no chance.

They where happy to fix it if i paid them to other than that, they didnt give a t0ss.

Spoke to Ofcom as I was not happy, and was told DNO was not at fault.

 

[malcolmsanford]

Be prepared to get the wallet out.

Lived in a house once, was no main earth terminal. I rang DNO expecting them to say sorry and come fix ha ha ha ha no chance.

They where happy to fix it if i paid them to other than that, they didnt give a t0ss.

Spoke to Ofcom as I was not happy, and was told DNO was not at fault.

It does depend if the system as a DNO earth to start with. EDF are about 150 pounds to fit an TNC-S if the property was TT. But if they have already supplied the property with an earth and it's now missing they are duty bound to restore it for nothing.

-

 

[Ponty Massive]

150 quid, get a sparky in to install a rod for you. He can give the whole house the once over then as well for piece of mind!

 

[malcolmsanford]

Yes good point, but if had a choice then TNC-S. Lost count of the times I have been to an installation and the Earth Electrode as either rotted away or been removed, as may what have happened here. At least TNC-S it is the DNO responsibility, of course if it's availalbe

 

[KINKY]

It does depend if the system as a DNO earth to start with. EDF are about 150 pounds to fit an TNC-S if the property was TT. But if they have already supplied the property with an earth and it's now missing they are duty bound to restore it for nothing.

-

Yeah this property did not have a DNO earth, only means of earthing was via gas and water mains, water main was plastic

 

[J@mes]

I was working in a LV switchroom this week which had a load of store rooms attached to it - the main LV room had earthing, but the installers never put an earth to the domestic CU or for any of the circuits. So a quick "fit a double socket and be done in a few hours" became a 2 day marathon of connecting an earth for the CU to the main earth bar and then earthing everything else! It was a mid-60's building I think!

 

[mechelec]

The DNO has no legal responsibility to provide an earth. They do have a responsibility to maintain any earth they do supply. So for you if the earth is a TT system ie your own the DNO will not help unless you pay for a PME (if it available in your area)