External socket for sewage plant - Earth Rod?

[frontier219]

Hi all,

I have been asked by a company that installs sewage systems to have a look at some recommendations from another sparks who has looked at one of their jobs. I haven't visited the job, but I have seen a few of their installations in the past and he has me at a bit of a loss. The plant is apparently connected into a commando socket in a small waterproof housing with the pump, near to the septic tank. This is run in SWA back to an external spur on the side of the house, fed from an existing socket which is on an RCD protected circuit.

A sparks has inspected the property and told the customer that the SWA should be seperated and an earth rod installed because "PME Supply must not be used for outdoor wiring due to the risk of the incoming neutral being open circuit."

Can anyone shed any light on this, or send me some reg numbers to look up? It seems like massive overkill as there are no extraneous conductive parts that this could affect.

 

[davesparks]

It's just another person who has completely misunderstood the requirements and carries out their inspections based on rumours and old wives tales rather than the regulations.

 

[frontier219]

Glad someone has said that, had me worried that I'd missed something somewhere. I feel like I might need some proof though, anyone know any relevant regs for this? I'm struggling to find the right term to look up.

 

[sparkybudge]

45 - IET Electrical - https://electrical.------.org/wiring-matters/issues/45/
Take a look it might help you out.
Or muddy the waters!!

 

[telectrix]

could always add a rod at the load end of the SWA. this might be a recommendation sufficient to justify amendment 1 to the 18th. .

 

[telectrix]

we need a sarcastic or a cynical button.

 

[Midwest]

45 - IET Electrical - https://electrical.------.org/wiring-matters/issues/45/
Take a look it might help you out.
Or muddy the waters!!

I got medical locations with that link? Thought 722 might be more of a facsimile? 'Cept there's no metal car, just a load of pooohh.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

Well it makes a nice change from sheds not being on PME.

 

[frontier219]

Well it makes a nice change from sheds not being on PME.

Been through that one a few times! Asking for a rod for this was certainly a new one on me though...

 

[MFS Electrical]

we need a sarcastic or a cynical button.

And an oh dear and delete

 

[davesparks]

Glad someone has said that, had me worried that I'd missed something somewhere. I feel like I might need some proof though, anyone know any relevant regs for this? I'm struggling to find the right term to look up.

The trouble is there are not really any terms to look up, the regulation don't contain lists of 'common misconceptions' which are nonsense, if they did the book would be into several volumes by now!

 

[frontier219]

The trouble is there are not really any terms to look up, the regulation don't contain lists of 'common misconceptions' which are nonsense, if they did the book would be into several volumes by now!

Basically what I was thinking. I'd guess I should ask the customer to get the other sparks to quote the regulation required?

Also, interesting side note - I have seen the quote for the remedial works without the price. All materials are listed (right down to an inspection bend for some conduit), but there is a distinct lack of RCD protection in his quote - surely if you were going to do this pointless work, the commando socket at the other end should have an RCD protecting it?!

 

[TJ Anderson]

Basically what I was thinking. I'd guess I should ask the customer to get the other sparks to quote the regulation required?

Also, interesting side note - I have seen the quote for the remedial works without the price. All materials are listed (right down to an inspection bend for some conduit), but there is a distinct lack of RCD protection in his quote - surely if you were going to do this pointless work, the commando socket at the other end should have an RCD protecting it?!

Quite likely, but depends on the current rating. Definitely in January though

 

[Nigel]

Basically what I was thinking. I'd guess I should ask the customer to get the other sparks to quote the regulation required?

Also, interesting side note - I have seen the quote for the remedial works without the price. All materials are listed (right down to an inspection bend for some conduit), but there is a distinct lack of RCD protection in his quote - surely if you were going to do this pointless work, the commando socket at the other end should have an RCD protecting it?!

So he has quoted to TT it but not to install an RCD on it?

 

[FatAlan]

What do the manufacturers instructions stipulate for the sewerage system?

 

[Wilko]

So he has quoted to TT it but not to install an RCD on it?

Let's hope not, worst of both worlds ...

 

[telectrix]

What do the manufacturers instructions stipulate for the sewerage system?

---- flows downhill..

 

[Pete999]

**** flows downhill..

It may flow down hill Tel, but in business it always ends up at the top of the pile.

 

[sparkybudge]

I got medical locations with that link? Thought 722 might be more of a facsimile? 'Cept there's no metal car, just a load of pooohh.

Maybe refer to using a socket circuit as the supply for the external equipment. Is the commando socket(BS4343) 16A, if so i'd quote REG: 411.3.3 (i) and state the protection for the socket outlet only. As you may have noticed exporting the earth is a very subjective matter.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Glad someone has said that, had me worried that I'd missed something somewhere. I feel like I might need some proof though, anyone know any relevant regs for this? I'm struggling to find the right term to look up.

There aren’t any relevant Regs, because it’s not an issue.