Strange Readings

[sellers]

DNO are very good round here, always turn up the same day.  Have had nothing but good service from them.  So they're not all bad.

 

[batty]

So this is a TNS system with an external earth of 2990 ohms is that correct? If its a supplied TNS earth DNO have a duty to maintain it. The first thing you need to do is get the earth right before you can do anything.

 

[matt.leung]

thank you for all of your advice. i will be popping back over to the installation and will let you know the outcome of the earthing and voltage issues.

 

[binky]

a few volts on the earth isn't unusual down to voltage induction from other cables, but your Ze is defo worrying, and I think i would have to concurr a bad neutral supply. I had this a while ago, confused the crap out of me at first :^O

 

[matt.leung]

just heard from the DNO and they have found a loose earthing clamp that i did not have access too... still detecting voltage in the neutral to earth. going bk next week to fully test everything and i believe it could be an appliance leakig voltage. now with a good earth it should help me to narrow down the fault. the DNO want to sweat a new earth onto the supply for a cost of £80.00.

 

[ProDave]

just heard from the DNO and they have found a loose earthing clamp that i did not have access too... still detecting voltage in the neutral to earth. going bk next week to fully test everything and i believe it could be an appliance leakig voltage. now with a good earth it should help me to narrow down the fault. the DNO want to sweat a new earth onto the supply for a cost of £80.00.

It's THEIR earth. Why are they charging the customer to fix their own property?

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

It's THEIR earth. Why are they charging the customer to fix their own property?

Ditto???????

 

[matt.leung]

they are saying because it is a TNS supply, a previous electrician has installed a BS951 rad clamp (temby clamp) they will not except responsibility for the earth...

they want to install a spring mounted clamp so it can not damage the supply lead cable....

they are also refusing to tighten the clamp up... so there is not secure earth at the moment either... only the gas bonding earth...

 

[NozSpark]

they are saying because it is a TNS supply, a previous electrician has installed a BS951 rad clamp (temby clamp) they will not except responsibility for the earth...

they want to install a spring mounted clamp so it can not damage the supply lead cable....they are also refusing to tighten the clamp up... so there is not secure earth at the moment either... only the gas bonding earth...

Well that's a pretty standard reply and I've had it a couple of times myself,, they now recon that all BS951 clamps have been fitted without their permission...

and TBH I don't blame them for not tightening the 951clamp as their pants could very easily turn "50 shades of brown"

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

They have said the same to me, even though all the engineers from the 70s to the 90s say this was normal procedure

 

[matt.leung]

thanks for the link, i am going bk on saturday morning. will see if i can get hold of some before hand... just need to work out what size i need...

do u now roughly how much they cost as i would also need to get the fitting tool as well....

 

[NozSpark]

thanks for the link, i am going bk on saturday morning. will see if i can get hold of some before hand... just need to work out what size i need...

Matt, its not your cable to be messing about with... even to connect an earth to

In this instance you should do a temporary TT until the DNO earth has been repaired,, or just leave it as TT (just for Steps)

 

[matt.leung]

ill see if my clients are going to pay for the new earth fitting, but in the mean time i'll TT it,

 

[m4tty]

Id TT it permanently

 

[steptoe]

yea, bang a rod in, it'll be right.

seriously though, if you are that worried/concerned then best to simply TT it and know it is right, and no further worries.

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

Although no one here would ever touch a DNO cable, i put a thread up about how to do a resin joint on a SWA and constant spring clamps were included. I will look to see if i can find that thread.

Here it is, no tools for the earth clamp needed      http://www.talk.electricianforum.co.uk/topic/16381-how-to-underground-cable-joint/

 

[binky]

you get those springs in SWA joining kits - see pictures in slips' post on how to join underground

 

[binky]

Raychem - that's posh :^O

 

[matt.leung]

sorted the earthing out this morning and everything is all ok, no more voltage in the neutral when testing E-N.