tns, main earth is bonding to water, or was at some point

[urchy107]

I was doing a board swap today at a property with a tns supply with paper sheathed lead armored feeding it, I looked at the job previously and noticed there was no main earth from the lead sheath, there was an old style bonding cable connected in the board which I presumed went to the water which was being used as an earth. Iv contacted western and there coming out to swap to tncs in a couple of weeks. I have bonded water and gas with 10mm and left a 16 down to the distributor cutout so as of now theres no main earth, Is this ok as a temp until its swaped as the water bond was the main earth previously? ze, zs readings are ok, Cheers Matt :bucktooth:

 

[londonlec]

No not really. You know that or you wouldnt have asked!

 

[telectrix]

what else can you do. make customer aware that the earthing is temporary, and go back and make sure DNO have connected your main earthing conductor, then take new Z readings.

 

[londonlec]

Fit a rod!

What if the customer now refuses access? He was the last spark there who has left them with no earth.

 

[urchy107]

true! I was gonna stick a clamp on the lead sheath but I know your not meant to do that, I guess il have to put a temporary spike in

 

[urchy107]

ps theres no one living in the propery yet

 

[londonlec]

ps theres no one living in the propery yet

Then I would be inclined to remove my tails from the meter and leave it made safe until the jointers turn up. Have your certificate ready as they may want it to reconnect.

 

[telectrix]

if the water and gas are bonded to the MET/CU then that is a good enough temporary earth. IMO better than a 3ft rod.

 

[robsparky1975]

You said in your post that you had previously noticed that there was no main earthing visable,this is one thing that i would of needed to know was in place and effective before carrying out any works.there is a guide on the electrical safety councils website on consumer unit replacemnets,very handy as has a flow chart of certain scenarios,I think i would have to tt the system as a temporary measure.

 

[urchy107]

I made arangements for tncs as soon as I noticed there was no main earth, so this is only temporary. I will check out that website though, cheers

 

[urchy107]

need power to work in the house though.

 

[urchy107]

cant belive how quick people reply on this forum, awsome tool to have, or bunch of tools haha. That was a joke. gonna have to get it set up on my phone so iv got access during the day. cheers for the help all xx

 

[telectrix]

then you'll never get any work done. you'll always be on here, look what happened to me!. :drummer: