Earthing of TN-S: who should pay?

[Etuj]

Hi, first post here and after some advice hopefully.

We had a new consumer unit fitted and some additional work, the electrician then tested circuits and got a high earth reading. I think the reading was something in the region of 1.05 and it should be 0.8, he said it was an issue with the earth coming into the house because the reading was high on all the sockets etc.

Apparently we have a TN-S and we should contact the supplier to get this rectified, all good and we called Western Power, they came out that day but the chap was quite dismissive upon seeing the unit and said that isn’t a proper earth which is why the reading would have been outside of the expected range. He also made reference to the bonding saying that an electrician had done that. He could arrange for someone to come out but it would cost us, he quoted something in the region of £130, further to this he didn’t even bother to take a reading!

The chap from Western Power said that the sheath (?) would need to be replaced – so surely this is their responsibility and they would need to repair or replace?
Our electrician made it clear to us from the beginning that anything before the meter is the responsibility of the power supplier, and he cannot touch it.

I am just a bit confused as we were told we shouldn’t be charged, and it seems like Western Power are actually going to be replacing something that isn’t doing it’s job properly – it is an earth?

I am at work at the moment so can’t post a picture but will do later, I would just like someone else’s opinion before we follow this up with Western Power, and then maybe further it they are still adamant that we should pay. Yes we could get a spike put in but I just feel we are being fobbed off by the engineer who came out and it's not right.

Thanks.

 

[applemac]

The spark should have fully tested everything out before changing the consumer unit, if the readings are within the values then the jobs good to go.

 

[dave274]

They only have to maintain an earth if they supplied it in the first place. If he says its not a proper earth what he means is the dno didn't supply it so they wont maintain it.

 

[Octopus]

A photo or two would help . What did the sparky who did the cu change put on the EIC?

 

[telectrix]

as above. a photo would help. not sure if you can post one with less than 6 posts.

 

[Etuj]

OK thanks, if I can I will put some photos up shortly - best check the rules out then re posting given I'm a new 'un!

 

[Etuj]

See below photos, hopefully they are clear enough.

 

[Kate]

That doesnt look like any tn-s connection I have ever seen. Does look like an after thought. But do not quote me on this, wait for someone more time served than me

 

[trev]

It looks to me like a DIY TN-S. That earth clamp does not look like the ones a DNO would use. It looks more like a 951 clamp that you would use for equipotential bonding.

If the DNO have said it's nothing to do with them I'd be looking at quotes to get it installed (expensive) and comparing them with an electricians quote to install a system of rods to make it a proper TT system as it appears to have been originally.

 

[Octopus]

It looks to me like a DIY TN-S. That earth clamp does not look like the ones a DNO would use. It looks more like a 951 clamp that you would use for equipotential bonding.

If the DNO have said it's nothing to do with them I'd be looking at quotes to get it installed (expensive) and comparing them with an electricians quote to install a system of rods to make it a proper TT system as it appears to have been originally.

But what's with the "greenish" clamp above - seen loads of those around with the main earth connected with perfectly reasonable Ze's.

Tin hat on!

Also what DID the EIC the sparky gave you say about the reading etc??

 

[Etuj]

Current reading is 1.05 (I think), holding off on the EIC (certificate I'm guessing?) until the earth is sorted. If not then it will be issued with that higher value.

We have been quoted £130 by the power company for them to do the work.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Hi, first post here and after some advice hopefully.

We had a new consumer unit fitted and some additional work, the electrician then tested circuits and got a high earth reading. I think the reading was something in the region of 1.05 and it should be 0.8, he said it was an issue with the earth coming into the house because the reading was high on all the sockets etc.

Apparently we have a TN-S and we should contact the supplier to get this rectified, all good and we called Western Power, they came out that day but the chap was quite dismissive upon seeing the unit and said that isn’t a proper earth which is why the reading would have been outside of the expected range. He also made reference to the bonding saying that an electrician had done that. He could arrange for someone to come out but it would cost us, he quoted something in the region of £130, further to this he didn’t even bother to take a reading!

The chap from Western Power said that the sheath (?) would need to be replaced – so surely this is their responsibility and they would need to repair or replace?
Our electrician made it clear to us from the beginning that anything before the meter is the responsibility of the power supplier, and he cannot touch it.

I am just a bit confused as we were told we shouldn’t be charged, and it seems like Western Power are actually going to be replacing something that isn’t doing it’s job properly – it is an earth?

I am at work at the moment so can’t post a picture but will do later, I would just like someone else’s opinion before we follow this up with Western Power, and then maybe further it they are still adamant that we should pay. Yes we could get a spike put in but I just feel we are being fobbed off by the engineer who came out and it's not right.

Thanks.

rite.

Get back on to `western power`...and dont listen to the stupid bird on the end of the phone either bleatin the old script about how its `not our responsibility`....caus its distributers facility...so it certainly IS their responsibility...its the old DNO tac again i`m afraid.

why didnt this electrician liase with them on your behalf?...he should have done...i certainly do as if they sense theres an electrician on the phone they tend to drop the crap....

ask to be put straight through to the area/duty engineer....

 

[trev]

£130 for an earth isn't bad at all. With the amount of work and materials needed to achieve TN levels on earth fault loop impedance you'd probably be looking at around the same amount for your spark to do it.

My advice, pay the £130 and get a proper TN-S

 

[GLENNSPARK]

better still get the electrician that identified the high Ze to deal with them for you...

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Ok so its a BS951 clamp...so what?

i`v seen quite a few like this that have been high....but didn`t have stupidness from the DNO over it....

 

[trev]

I've never seen a 951 clamp on a TN-S which has been properly installed by the DNO.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

I've never seen a 951 clamp on a TN-S which has been properly installed by the DNO.

well no..i know that...

what i`m saying is i have had them in the past...and the earthing arrangements have still been sorted by the DNO....without all the argy bargy

 

[trev]

The point is though Glenn it's not their earth facility so they're under no obligation, It's worth a call to the duty engineer to see if they'll sort it out of the goodness of their hearts but I wouldn't put money on that happening.
£130 is a small price to pay for a solid reliable earth mate. How much would you charge to guarantee TN levels?

 

[GLENNSPARK]

The point is though Glenn it's not their earth facility so they're under no obligation, It's worth a call to the duty engineer to see if they'll sort it out of the goodness of their hearts but I wouldn't put money on that happening.
£130 is a small price to pay for a solid reliable earth mate. How much would you charge to guarantee TN levels?

i feel what your saying trev..

but i would just tell them it was distributers facility...and get them to come out....

sod em....

 

[Kate]

Speak to the electrician who did the EIC. hopefully he is a nice enough chap to take over the phonecalls. I also do that for my customers right upto scheduling a date in, then I let the customer take charge.

On the other side, £130 is a very good price.