Direct Earth - TN-S or TN-C-S

[PeatBog]

I'm still learning - please be gentle!

A victorian house I visited recently had just had an extension. Consequently, the DNO had re-sited the supply into a modern flush mounted cabinet on the side wall of the extension. Inside the box written on the back of a "PME" label were the words "DIRECT EARTH" written with marker pen. To me the head looks like a normal PME (TN-C-S) head. Does the "DIRECT EARTH" label indicate that it is still TN-S and not TN-C-S?

Some photos are found below:

http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss324/Peatbog/DSC00076.jpg

http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss324/Peatbog/DSC00077.jpg

http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss324/Peatbog/DSC00078.jpg

 

[Andy™]

chances are they have extended it with straight con so will be PME'd

 

[batty]

Hello boggie welcome to the forum. In my experience generally you find dno will provide what was there at old location at new location although if it is TT and loop is less than .35ohm they may give pme earth if earthing is up to standard. Like you I find it differcult to post pics but admin will help with this.

Batty

 

[a1]

Hello PeteBog,

Welcome to the forum.

Follow the instructions here to be able add pics.

http://www.talk.electricianforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=627

 

[a1]

PS. We are all gentle on here. We don't ridicule anyone.

Ask ANY question you wish. (with in reason, of course )

 

[batty]

looks like pme to me.

Batty

 

[green-hornet]

From the pics supplied it looks like a pme to me as well.

Interesting that the label is marked in marker pen normally there is a label designed for such installation.

 

[Andy™]

looks like PME - there is usually only one block there, obviously if both neutral and earth go to it then it must be PME. If it was TN-S, there would probably be a block on the side of it

 

[batty]

It looks like a pme head are you sure it has recently been done as that looks an old set up to me at least fifteen years or more old. DNO don't normally reuse old parts on alterations.

Batty

 

[Andy™]

unless they just moved the box from one position to another without altering the cable

 

[Andy™]

one quick way to find out if it is PME or TNS would be tets resistance between earth the neutral - if its almost 0, its probably PME. if its TNS, resistance will be from head back to substation link back to house, so will be higher

 

[Apache]

Hello and welcome

 

[Evans Electric]

This job never ceases to amaze me. We have PME- TNCS - TNS - TT and now DIRECT EARTH !! What the hell is that ??? You open that meter cupboard door and find DIRECT EARTH :_|

 

[Apache]

Isn't the sign relating to the cable rather than any new mysterious earthing system. Spark put a label on and forgot to remove it?

 

[Gforce]

Just out of interest why is it 415 volts and not 230?

 

[Apache]

Just out of interest why is it 415 volts and not 230?

rating of fuse - suitable for 3 phase.

someone will quote BSblabla soon

 

[green-hornet]

Just out of interest why is it 415 volts and not 230?

Just industry standard for that type of fuse

 

[batty]

Just to say it can be used on 415v supplies.

Batty