Type of earth

[SparkJ]

Hello all

I was asked to quote for a couple of new security PIR type lights in a new house recently.

The house is about five weeks old and has a Contactum consumer unit. There are four ring circuits protected by one 30ma RCD the rest of the circuits are protected only by MCBs.

My query concerns the identification of the power company earthing scheme.

The consumer unit is neatly built in to a floor to ceiling cupboard. The is a boxed section made out of plywood above the CU containing the cables. The cables then disappear into the ceiling void.

Thus my usual clues as to the earthing type like seeing an incoming cable from the power company with an earth clamp on it are not available to me. There is no PME label anywhere to be seen.

The house is part of a small modern cul de sac in an urban development on the edge of a town and there are no visible overhead power cables running to the houses.

The lady owner is particularly worried about any electrical work damaging her brand new property so taking a crowbar to the plywood boxed section above the consumer unit is not an option.

There is no sign of an earth rod anywhere outside the house.

I took a Zs reading from one of the sockets on the kitchen ring and got a reading of 0.37 ohms.

I can

 

[NozSpark]

Usually in a brand new house, the meter is in an external cupboard. I'd have a look on the other side of the wall that the CU is on!!!

And more than often TN-C-S

 

[SparkJ]

Thanks for your comment.

The CU is not on an external wall. But you have given me a clue. There is a skip and a giant flat pack shed lying on one of the external walls of the house. I bet the meter is under that lot somewhere. I hope that she doesn't need to read the meter anytime soon.

 

[betty swollocks]

consumer unit sounds like a 16th, ?:|

but have to agree there will be an external box, more than likely next to the gas meter box.

 

[a1]

Indeed, betty.

It's a 16th Ed and the house is only 5 weeks old.

 

[kme]

I`d be asking to see the completion cert. from the completed property. That`ll tell you the earthing system, as well as the name of the numpty who fitted and signed off a non-compliant installation.

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

I`d be asking to see the completion cert. from the completed property. That`ll tell you the earthing system, as well as the name of the numpty who fitted and signed off a non-compliant installation.

The lady might have moved in 5 weeks ago, but the house may be a few years old and has remained empty ; \

 

[Badger]

Hello allI was asked to quote for a couple of new security PIR type lights in a new house recently.

The house is about five weeks old and has a Contactum consumer unit. There are four ring circuits protected by one 30ma RCD the rest of the circuits are protected only by MCBs.

My query concerns the identification of the power company earthing scheme.

The consumer unit is neatly built in to a floor to ceiling cupboard. The is a boxed section made out of plywood above the CU containing the cables. The cables then disappear into the ceiling void.

Thus my usual clues as to the earthing type like seeing an incoming cable from the power company with an earth clamp on it are not available to me. There is no PME label anywhere to be seen.

The house is part of a small modern cul de sac in an urban development on the edge of a town and there are no visible overhead power cables running to the houses.

The lady owner is particularly worried about any electrical work damaging her brand new property so taking a crowbar to the plywood boxed section above the consumer unit is not an option.

There is no sign of an earth rod anywhere outside the house.

I took a Zs reading from one of the sockets on the kitchen ring and got a reading of 0.37 ohms.

I can

 

[Andy™]

consumer unit sounds like a 16th, ?:| but have to agree there will be an external box, more than likely next to the gas meter box.

most likely designed before 17th. or its been built and empty for a few month

 

[Evans Electric]

I don't see it as such a big deal that the C/U is 16th , house may have stood empty for months . Are you guys saying you would upgrade it, I certainly would not.

If Sparkj looks next door where there is no skip, I'm sure he'll see a meter cupboard and a PME supply !!

Deke

 

[Subneural]

I know of a sparks who was claiming that he could sign off with 16th Edition CU in new builds with NICEIC until the beginning of December and that he was going to push a few extra days on it

On that basis so I see no reason why it wouldnt be 16th as the electrics would be signed off well before the house was finished snagging and released to the buyer.

Doesnt mean I agree with it though

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

The lady might have moved in 5 weeks ago, but the house may be a few years old and has remained empty ; \

And any house 'about 5 weeks old' would have been started over a year ago.

 

[batty]

With loop of .37ohms bound to be pme most dno will use pme these days except special installs ie farms caravan parks.

Batty

 

[a1]

And any house 'about 5 weeks old' would have been started over a year ago.

Bricks and Cement - Then Yes.

But Todays houses are thrown up within a few weeks. Timber and one course of bricks, if you're lucky. :_|

 

[Badger]

Bricks and Cement - Then Yes.But Todays houses are thrown up within a few weeks. Timber and one course of bricks, if you're lucky. :_|

Arrgghh but your shed i mean workshop is wood though isnt it admin

 

[Apache]

Arrgghh but your shed i mean workshop is wood though isnt it admin

only so he could export the earth!