Quick Question From A Non-Sparkie

[justinandout]

Hi folks,

I'm just dropping by in the hopes of a quick and simple answer to a question. I'm currently living in SE Asia, and the electrical standards here would give you lot heart attacks: 2-pin wiring systems, 230V outlets 100V undervoltage, power spikes that blow all your unprotected equipment... The less said about the local "electricians" and their practices the better.

Anyway, common consensus amongst the expats living here is that if you did contract someone to add proper grounding rods and earth wiring to your house or apartment then due to nobody else having grounding you'd effectively be acting as ground for your whole neighbourhood. I've also heard from some that the way to combat this is by using a transformer between your house and the mains supply.

Given many of them are prone to talking rubbish I was just wondering how much truth there might be in that?

Cheers.

 

[ProDave]

If you add a local earth via a rod and use 3 pin sockets then your earth would be yours and yours alone, you would not be earthing the street.

But if someone had a hair brained idea to earth the incoming neutral and carry on with 2 pin sockets well anything could happen  bad day explode

I think we have some of the tightest regs and safest electrical system in the world here in the UK, but we still keep finding ways to change things to make them safer.

 

[justinandout]

Exactly what I wanted to hear, thanks!

I can't express enough how much I miss UK regs out here. I've had more electric shocks, broken electronics, rusted wires overheating and other silly incidents than I can count. What's even more terrifying is that every hot shower or water tap is heated using cheap, unearthed electric water heaters. If you stop and think about it it's completely crazy.

Anyway, cheers again.

 

[binky]

might be worth adding RCD protection to circuits, though not sure how well that would work if there's no earthing on circuits, but if it's earthing through you on a regular basis it should at least offer a limited belt!!!. The french and various other european contries work on this sort of system from what i understand