TN-S supply 4.2ohms, this is the solution from the DNO!

[GaryM]

I recorded a Ze on a TN-S supply as 4.2ohms. Consumer unit is an all insulation Wylex twin RCD unit.
I spoke to the landlord of the property which was currently empty (now occupied) and told him he needs to contact the DNO with regards to the high Ze.

They came to site and this was the result! Essentially it looks like they're treating the high Ze with an RCD though all circuits are protected by 30mA RCD's.
I've asked the landlord to contact them and ask, in writing, for their reasoning behind what they've done and when they're going to return to maintain the earth that they're responsible for.
Also why we couldn't get away with leaving an enclosure flapping in the wind, two circular conductors through a single stuffing gland designed for one conductor. They seem to be a law unto themselves.

 

[Richard]

Outstanding!

 

[Strima]

That just fills me with confidence...

 

[D80]

Are they intending to return to this or is it left as a finished job?

 

[GaryM]

Are they intending to return to this or is it left as a finished job?

I've asked the landlord to get a response to that in writing and also their reasoning.

 

[PC Electrics]

Surely the simplest thing they could have done would be turn it into a TN-C-S??

 

[Sparkystu79]

Is there any seals on that enclosure? If not i'm sure a knowledgeable tenant could be helping themselves to some free electricity!

 

[GaryM]

Surely the simplest thing they could have done would be turn it into a TN-C-S??

Possibly not as the PEN conductor would have to be earthed at multiple points to reduce the risk of a broken neutral.
There would be more to it that just linking out in the service head.

 

[GaryM]

Is there any seals on that enclosure? If not i'm sure a knowledgeable tenant could be helping themselves to some free electricity!

No seals at all, nor is there on the meter or the main fuse.

 

[tony mc]

I would imagine this is a short term fix until they resolve the high ZE.

Makes you wonder.

I have a friend in the DNO and I cant see him leaving it hanging like that it would of been secured to the wall and sealed with it being left looking professional!

I put money on that its repaired before you get anything back in writing!

 

[GaryM]

I put money on that its repaired before you get anything back in writing!

That's where my money is too, hopefully with the perpetrator getting a rollocking in the process!
Still pointless as it's offering no added protection as the consumer unit is a twin 30mA RCD unit.

 

[tony mc]

I would think they are covering the high ZE with the 1667 on the supply side regardless of what the customer has IMO!

 

[J&M Electrical]

Is it just me or is that system in the picture a TNCS? Or is it a 3wire Supply?

 

[GaryM]

No, it's a TN-S.
The earth is split from the sheath inside the cutout. There's no N-E link in place internally.

 

[Marvo]

Speechless.

Even if that's a temporary fix it's atrocious. It was probably overall safer before they touched it.

 

[Mark.W]

It would be safer just to spike it IMO!

 

[ezzzekiel]

bit surprised they would leave that even as temp measure

 

[GaryM]

It would be safer just to spike it IMO!

I looked specifically for am earth rod as that's what I expected when the landlord explained that they had fitted an RCD in line with the tails but no, not there.

 

[GaryM]

bit surprised they would leave that even as temp measure

Me too, totally shocked when I saw it!

 

[rich.250]

Good job DNO!! (insert sarcasm here)

So they can fit rcds now??
And then you have to in series so the dual Rcd board is pointless.....
Lol

 

[SPARTYKUS]

What a bag of.

 

[londonlec]

Temporary solution IMO.

 

[GaryM]

Temporary solution IMO.

I reckon so too but that will be confirmed when the landlord contacts the DNO.

Temporary or not though, the work is unacceptable.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

so who regulates DNOs?....they should see this......

 

[hasel5]

Can't believe the don would not resel there units sounds like landlord is telling a untruth to me

 

[GaryM]

Can't believe the don would not resel there units sounds like landlord is telling a untruth to me

I know him very well and no, it's not an untruth as you put it.
No seals were placed on any of the equipment.

 

[Amp David]

Where's the supply cable to the head?

 

[GaryM]

Where's the supply cable to the head?

It enters the bottom like normal.

 

[Amp David]

LOL, just looked again and saw it, looked like some unpainted plaster at first.

 

[GaryM]

LOL, just looked again and saw it, looked like some unpainted plaster at first.

It does, I can see why you missed it

 

[Guest111]

must be a thing with DNO,s in the northwest,we had a supply problem a few years back dno came out and said it was service cable fault and would take about a week to fix,their idea of a temp solution was a cable through my letterbox across the garden and into next doors service via their letterbox.Next door had small children and we have a dog so I told them it was not acceptable on H&S grounds,enter supervisor who found out fault was in a linkbox at top of road and actually affecting several properties but no one thought to complain,half hour later job done.Still cant help wondering what would have happened if they had replaced my service and found fault still there,worrying really.

 

[GaryM]

Letterbox? You've got to be kidding! mg_smile:

 

[GLENNSPARK]

must be a thing with DNO,s in the northwest,we had a supply problem a few years back dno came out and said it was service cable fault and would take about a week to fix,their idea of a temp solution was a cable through my letterbox across the garden and into next doors service via their letterbox.Next door had small children and we have a dog so I told them it was not acceptable on H&S grounds,enter supervisor who found out fault was in a linkbox at top of road and actually affecting several properties but no one thought to complain,half hour later job done.Still cant help wondering what would have happened if they had replaced my service and found fault still there,worrying really.

reminds me of the time when the lofts in my area were being given extra insulation.....warmfront i think they called it...anyway Julie the next door neighbour wanted to have the insulation guys trudge through my house...into my loft and through to hers to insulate it for her...just because her loft hatch wasn`t big enough for em to get through.......cheeky mare!!....told her where to go....unbelievable..the front of it..lol....

 

[GaryM]

reminds me of the time when the lofts in my area were being given extra insulation.....warmfront i think they called it...anyway Julie the next door neighbour wanted to have the insulation guys trudge through my house...into my loft and through to hers to insulate it for her...just because her loft hatch wasn`t big enough for em to get through.......cheeky mare!!....told her where to go....unbelievable..the front of it..lol....

That's a great story! Cheeky ****er! Lol

 

[GLENNSPARK]

That's a great story! Cheeky ****er! Lol

the thing is n all....she didn`t see any wrong in asking....i mean, the look on her face when i told her to do one....just completely stupid.....

 

[Guest111]

reminds me of the time when the lofts in my area were being given extra insulation.....warmfront i think they called it...anyway Julie the next door neighbour wanted to have the insulation guys trudge through my house...into my loft and through to hers to insulate it for her...just because her loft hatch wasn`t big enough for em to get through.......cheeky mare!!....told her where to go....unbelievable..the front of it..lol....

I suppose you could say she was met with a COLDFRONT from you about her suggestion lol.

 

[GaryM]

the thing is n all....she didn`t see any wrong in asking....i mean, the look on her face when i told her to do one....just completely stupid.....

Some people eh? I'm sure she wouldn't have been so accommodating should the boot have been on the other foot.

 

[Guest111]

Letterbox? You've got to be kidding! mg_smile:

thats what I thought apparently its something they do,its even called a letterbox loop!

 

[GLENNSPARK]

I suppose you could say she was met with a COLDFRONT from you about her suggestion lol.

oh yes!!.....it wasn`t just that either.....she asked me once to give her electrics the once over......as practice!!...told her what she was after was a free periodic.....told her i`l practice a quote...havn`t heard any more about it...lol...just an owt for nowt...lol....

 

[GLENNSPARK]

thats what I thought apparently its something they do,its even called a letterbox loop!

so you mean they`v even christened it..lolffs...

 

[GaryM]

thats what I thought apparently its something they do,its even called a letterbox loop!

Unbelievable!

 

[Guest111]

so you mean they`v even christened it..lolffs...

Yes thats right,couldnt believe it myself when I first heard it, and theres me going made at mrs for putting a lead through letterbox to mow lawn(before I did outdoor socket) as I didn,t think it safe.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Some people eh? I'm sure she wouldn't have been so accommodating should the boot have been on the other foot.

well she`s not much to look at so if she dont want to be accomodating....i aint fussed...lol....

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Yes thats right,couldnt believe it myself when I first heard it, and theres me going made at mrs for putting a lead through letterbox to mow lawn(before I did outdoor socket) as I didn,t think it safe.

well if you did the right thing by Mrs d...then whats the DNOs angle with this carry on.....supply cables through letterboxes....tut tut....

 

[Guest111]

well if you did the right thing by Mrs d...then whats the DNOs angle with this carry on.....supply cables through letterboxes....tut tut....

apparently it was the quickest and easiest way of maintaining a supply until a permanent repair could be made.

 

[londonlec]

apparently it was the quickest and easiest way of maintaining a supply until a permanent repair could be made.

Ive seen this numerous times by EDF and UKPN. Saw a three phase supply like this the other week.

 

[baileysufc]

just a point if you wanted to be picky if you triped there rcd does that meen u have to call them to reset it as you cannot touch there equipment?

 

[sedgy34]

ive had similair situation high ze reading etc but to be fair to them they sorted the problem within days, i doubt the landlord is that bothered too as you will be talking in foreign language to him, it may pay you to issue a danger cert to the landlord just to cover your self he may persue the matter to a satisfactory conclusion. either way your --- is covered.