Supply earth.

[Megaohm7]

I was at this property doing first fix in the extension when I was discussing with the customer about the new CU position. The main cut out, meter and DP isolator switch has been moved into the garage. However there was no MET in the new position. Back inside the property where the old CU is positioned and still being used, There is a MET present. There is a bare stranded conductor coming from the old cut out position which is covered in a black tar like substance and has expanding foam insulation round it too. The bare conductor goes in the MET and From the met There is a 16mm main earth going into the old CU and a 10mm going into the ceiling void, bonding to water/gas but needs confirming.I believe the supply is a TNS. I couldn't do a ZE to confirm a connection to earth as I'm getting my instrument in a couple of weeks but told the client to contact the DNO to get them to check it in the first instance. Is the DNO required to supply an earth? Or shall I start banging the earth rod in. :innocent

 

[spinlondon]

Why not just run a conductor from the new CU to the MET?

 

[Megaohm7]

Why not just run a conductor from the new CU to the MET?

It won't be a problem running a length of 16mm from the MET but my concern is the connection from the MET to the old intake position..I would have done the ZE on the old CU to check the integrity of the connection. The bare stranded conductor looks like it's only 6mm as well .

 

[kme]

What is the system at the new cut-out position?

 

[Megaohm7]

What is the system at the new cut-out position?

Hi KME The new cut out position consist's of the main feed coming in to the cut out and line and neutral coming out of that to the meter, the line and neutral going into a DP isolator swith. The new cut out looks like it could be a TNCS but with no earthing conductor coming from it.??? I'm going back on thursday but the client will call DNO asap..Thanks

 

[kme]

If they haven`t put a PME sticker on it, then it may well be TT.

The new cutouts are ALL provided with the PME earth block on the outside, there is an internal link can be fitted to provide PME, but if omitted, will have the block there, with no connection to it.

KME

 

[Larnacaman]

Is the old cut out going to stay where it is, or will it be removed at a later date??

What your describing certainly sounds like a TN-S supply. The earth cable that you think is a 6mm is probably an old tinned 7/036 or 7/044 that has been soldered to the supply cables sheathing.

 

[Megaohm7]

Is the old cut out going to stay where it is, or will it be removed at a later date?? What your describing certainly sounds like a TN-S supply. The earth cable that you think is a 6mm is probably an old tinned 7/036 or 7/044 that has been soldered to the supply cables sheathing.

Yes that sounds about right but with all the expanding foam round it its hard to see. as for the old cut out I believe it's staying put as it is more or less boxed in. I just wished that I could have found out the ze . I will be getting my tester in a couple of weeks

 

[Larnacaman]

Megaohm7,

Just to be clear on things,

A....Is the new cutout /meter actually connected to a new CU, or is it presently supplying the old CU?? ...Or is it presently connected to nothing?

B....Is the old CU still being supplied from the old cutout position??

In other words, is this new meter position still ''work in progress''??

 

[Megaohm7]

If they haven`t put a PME sticker on it, then it may well be TT.The new cutouts are ALL provided with the PME earth block on the outside, there is an internal link can be fitted to provide PME, but if omitted, will have the block there, with no connection to it.

KME

Cheers KME Didn't remember seeing a PME sticker or a PME block on the outside.. Am I right in getting the DNO to confirm an earth connection.

 

[Larnacaman]

Megaohm7,

If they are not supplying an earthing point, then they should of informed the house holder BEFORE energizing or connecting to the installation. Which is why i asked if it connected and supplying anything in the house .... I can't believe they would connect to an unearthed installation, .....Unless, they know that the existing earthing point is a good-un !!!!

 

[Megaohm7]

Megaohm7,Just to be clear on things,

A....Is the new cutout /meter actually connected to a new CU, or is it presently supplying the old CU?? ...Or is it presently connected to nothing?

B....Is the old CU still being supplied from the old cutout position??

In other words, is this new meter position still ''work in progress''??

The new cut out is supplying the old CU only. The new CU will be fitted soon but I wanted to be sure about the earth first.

 

[Larnacaman]

Sounds like they are quite happy for you to continue using the the existing earthing point then. As i can't believe that the supply authority would connect to an existing installation that didn't have a suitable earthing point. Which is good news for you and the householder.

But, ....i would still have that confirmed by the DNO.... lol!!!

 

[Megaohm7]

Megaohm7,If they are not supplying an earthing point, then they should of informed the house holder BEFORE energizing or connecting to the installation. Which is why i asked if it connected and supplying anything in the house .... I can't believe they would connect to an unearthed installation, .....Unless, they know that the existing earthing point is a good-un !!!!

There is an earth as such coming from the old cut out but I don't like the look of it. I don't know if this connection was tested by the supply company but I would be happier to get that confirmed . A satisfactory ze result would confirm that but until I get my tester It's a call to the DNO asap.

 

[Larnacaman]

Agreed.....

But that existing earth cable may not look much but it obviously can still deliver the goods ...lol!!! The black tar like substance on the cable, is just the the pitch used for sealing the paper insulated supply cable into the cut out. It always did leak past the wooden seals they used in metal-clad cutouts....

Can't you borrow a test kit in the meantime, from a buddy or someone?? Perhaps one of them has an older dedicated E /Loop tester they keep as a back up....

 

[Megaohm7]

Agreed.....But that existing earth cable may not look much but it obviously can still deliver the goods ...lol!!! The black tar like substance on the cable, is just the the pitch used for sealing the paper insulated supply cable into the cut out. It always did leak past the wooden seals they used in metal-clad cutouts....

Can't you borrow a test kit in the meantime, from a buddy or someone?? Perhaps one of them has an older dedicated E /Loop tester they keep as a back up....

I do have someone that I can ask. As long as the ze is satisfactory then it will do the job and with the supplimentary bonding in place too

 

[steptoe]

does anyone have an issue with the MET now being in a remote location to the CU ?

BTW, I have just made a post about PME on here.

 

[batty]

does anyone have an issue with the MET now being in a remote location to the CU ?BTW, I have just made a post about PME on here.

My issue would be that it could be disconnected at some point after all it is now an unused cutout.

 

[Megaohm7]

My issue would be that it could be disconnected at some point after all it is now an unused cutout.

Very true batty, I see your point. The present owner knows about it and would leave well alone but if the owner moved the new people could get rid of it and have a dangerous situation of a missing earth.It should be moved to the new cut out position.