Upgrade of fat braid main earth conductor

[SW1970]

Hi folks, about to do a domestic PIR and observed during survey that the main earth conductor is flat braided copper. Didn't measure but from photo it looks either 6 or 10mm2 CSA. Assuming that Captain Adiabatic tells me it's inadequate, when I call on supplier to upgrade, will they most likely replace with larger braid or put on a new sheath clamp with appropriate round cable? Many thanks, SW

 

[SW1970]

Oops not sure where "fat braid" came from... It was an erroneous fat.

 

[La Poste]

Got any pictures?

 

[SW1970]

Here you go...

 

[i=p/u]

well sw1970 all i know its tns sytem and should have 16mm earthng conductor.

 

[i=p/u]

dont thank me now for that useful info.. im here to help

 

[Knobhead]

Did you get the measurements of it?

Nominal area (mm²)Width (approx. mm)Thickness (approx. mm)Wire diameter
[TD="class: table_content_left"]6[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]12.0[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]1.0[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]0.20[/TD]

[TD="class: table_content_left"]10[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]15.0[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]1.5[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]0.20[/TD]

[TD="class: table_content_left"]16[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]19.0[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]2.5[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]0.20[/TD]

[TD="class: table_content_left"]25[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]25.0[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]3.0[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]0.20[/TD]

[TD="class: table_content_left"]35[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]25.0[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]4.0[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]0.20[/TD]

[TD="class: table_content_left"]50[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]30.0[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]5.0[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]0.20[/TD]

[TD="class: table_content_left"]70[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]32.0[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]6.0[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]0.20[/TD]

[TD="class: table_content_left"]95[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]37.0[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]6.0[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]0.20[/TD]

[TD="class: table_content_left"]120[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]45.0[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]6.0[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]0.20[/TD]

[TD="class: table_content_left"]150[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]50.0[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]8.0[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]0.20[/TD]

[TD="class: table_content_left"]200[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]50.0[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]10.0[/TD]
[TD="class: table_content"]0.20[/TD]

 

[SW1970]

No but it's either 6 or 10mm2. But back to my question, does the DNO replace with new clamp and round cable, or simply fit larger braid?

 

[malcolmsanford]

It's the DNO property mate and all you can really do is call them, but I know that if you have a good Ze value for it they will do nothing.

If I got a good Ze value, then I would basically leave it alone, You could note it, but it's not part of our installation so as long everything the customer side is ok then your good.

It may even be an old DIY TN-S done by a bygone sparks

 

[malcolmsanford]

well sw1970 all i know its tns sytem and should have 16mm earthng conductor.

Oh dear oh dear oh dear.

 

[oxocube]

well sw1970 all i know its tns sytem and should have 16mm earthng conductor.

dont thank me now for that useful info.. im here to help

Why should he thank you for giving incorrect advice, don't forget to thank me for correcting you.

 

[i=p/u]

cheers oxo il look at that pic again then, this is the response i want

 

[i=p/u]

isit just a water pipe

 

[malcolmsanford]

no look again and try this time reading it

 

[SW1970]

i=p/u, no, it's not just a water pipe. Why would an electrician post a picture of a supply cable with an earth strap around it and ask what the DNOs approach would be if it was a water pipe? Let me quote you something:

"aint easy isit, dealing with cable pullers like myself. ive no expierience with testing so just done R1+R2 with multimeter"

A 16mm2 earthing conductor is not strictly required if the adiabatic equation allows it. But, I had not appreciated, per malcolm's comment, that this may be a DIY TN-S, in which case, the DNO would state they are not supplying an earth. What would happen then if there was an incident (this property has no RCD). If I'd done a job and walked away, yes, I probably be liable.

One needs to be very careful giving technical advice or commentary on a forum like this. Because a DIYer, an apprentice or someone with little experience might (foolishly) take the advice and then go and kill themselves or someone else.