What is this earthing arrangement?

HappyHippyDad

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As in the title?

I can see the earth running up by the side of the supply cable from the ground (see picture), but with TNCS this earth would go directly to the CU, or perhaps be in a MET. This earth appears to go down, rather than towards all the other earths of the flats.

In the picture showing all the electrics, there is a henley block where the earths are terminated. In the same henley block there are 25mm tails (I think both line and neutral).Could the earths be attached to the neutral inside this box? If they are, then what is the purpose of the main earth on the side of the supply cable.

There is no work required on this part of the install. I just want to confirm the earthing arrangement, and also understand what is going on with the earthing cables.

Thankyou.

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I'm not sure it is TN-S.
They have just had an EICR done which says TNCS, but the report was not very well written, so may not be accurate.
Also, how can you be sure that main earthing conductor attaches to the armour of the cable (I.e TNS) and doesn't terminate inside the cutout somewhere with the neutral (TNCS). Also, that would mean it then has to go down, and somehow back into that henley block with all the earths connected in it.

Is this a normal looking set up for flats. I haven't done lots and lots of flats, but I don't remember seeing something like this before with regards the earths.
 
I'd say TN-S. On some single phase heads, I have been able to unscrew the lower part of it to look inside to confirm. For the work you're doing there, would it matter one way or the other?
 
If you have a private transformer you can confirm TN-S. If not what presents as TN-S at the cut-out may not be. TN-S is after all separate all the way back to the transformer, is that assured?
The N-E link need not be at the cut-out (although often the most convenient place). For example in a block of flats the N - E link could be at the incomer.
 
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