What is this earthing arrangement?

[HappyHippyDad]

As in the title?

I can see the earth running up by the side of the supply cable from the ground (see picture), but with TNCS this earth would go directly to the CU, or perhaps be in a MET. This earth appears to go down, rather than towards all the other earths of the flats.

In the picture showing all the electrics, there is a henley block where the earths are terminated. In the same henley block there are 25mm tails (I think both line and neutral).Could the earths be attached to the neutral inside this box? If they are, then what is the purpose of the main earth on the side of the supply cable.

There is no work required on this part of the install. I just want to confirm the earthing arrangement, and also understand what is going on with the earthing cables.

Thankyou.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Looks to me the earthing goes behind the utility board, speak to the DNO.
Their sould be one earthing for the SWA
to the MET. So TN-S.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I'm not sure it is TN-S.
They have just had an EICR done which says TNCS, but the report was not very well written, so may not be accurate.
Also, how can you be sure that main earthing conductor attaches to the armour of the cable (I.e TNS) and doesn't terminate inside the cutout somewhere with the neutral (TNCS). Also, that would mean it then has to go down, and somehow back into that henley block with all the earths connected in it.

Is this a normal looking set up for flats. I haven't done lots and lots of flats, but I don't remember seeing something like this before with regards the earths.

 

[Pretty Mouth]

I'd say TN-S. On some single phase heads, I have been able to unscrew the lower part of it to look inside to confirm. For the work you're doing there, would it matter one way or the other?

 

[Tom256]

If you have a private transformer you can confirm TN-S. If not what presents as TN-S at the cut-out may not be. TN-S is after all separate all the way back to the transformer, is that assured?
The N-E link need not be at the cut-out (although often the most convenient place). For example in a block of flats the N - E link could be at the incomer.

 

[brianmoooore]

Can someone enlighten me as to what the 'two minute rule' is?

 

[mainline]

Can someone enlighten me as to what the 'two minute rule' is?

2-minute rule, a powerful productivity technique from David Allen's "Getting Things Done." The idea? If you can do a quick task in two minutes or less, do it right away. This simple shift can significantly boost your productivity

 

[buzzlightyear]

Hey hippycaody, it says your are esteemed, where you drunk when you looked at the job.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I'd say TN-S. On some single phase heads, I have been able to unscrew the lower part of it to look inside to confirm. For the work you're doing there, would it matter one way or the other?

It wouldn't matter, no.
I'd just like to understand what's going on.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Hey hippycaody, it says your are esteemed, where you drunk when you looked at the job.

Hey busybuzzbee.. drunk as skink and no place to hide.

 

[cireland]

The report could've been done by someone who doesn't know the difference, or they could've contacted DNO to ask. Looks like TN-S to me FWIW.

 

[westward10]

Where does the 6181Y from the bottom of the head go to?
Have you loop tested between L/E and L/N for a comparison?

 

[Admin]

Testing

 

[buzzlightyear]

I have looked at the picture and a load of bonding cables near the nurtral block goes behind it, so I would say TN-S, but the picture does not do it justice.

 

[westward10]

Testing

@HappyHippyDad is certainly that

 

[Admin]

Ooo this taking the dates out thing really makes everything current!

 

[HappyHippyDad]

@HappyHippyDad is certainly that

Can we have a new emoji please @Dan.... 'cheeky bugger'.

 

[davidsparky]

Just test for continuity between Neutral & Earth at CU. TNCS if you have continuity.

 

[bigspark17]

TN-S i would say. What was your ZE?
I wouldnt take the old cert info as gospel. You have no idea who tested that or if they actually did?