Which Earthing do i have?

Hightowermark · 29 Jan 2006

Hi looking at the ref section it's either TN-C-S or TN-S, can someone help me out. Thanks

If you need any more info just ask.

ryanj · 29 Jan 2006

Is there a green and yellow earth cable emerging from the area of the cutoff that isn't visible in the photo?

HDRW · 29 Jan 2006

Hightowermark said:
Hi looking at the ref section it's either TN-C-S or TN-S, can someone help me out. Thanks
If you need any more info just ask.

Unfortunately the photo cuts off too high up - it would help to see the whole of the Cutout (the grey unit at the bottom). As it is, it looks like you haven't got any Earth at all!

I assume the thing disappearing top-right is the CU and that the two larger cables are the L & N feeding it, which means that the painted (!) wire to the left should be Earth, but where does it go to?

Also, what does the "Warning" notice say? Apart from the heading, the rest is illegible.

There's no notice saying it's PME (if it is there should be, but its absence isn't conclusive evidence) which would mean TN-C-S.

Cheers,

Howard

DDoyle · 29 Jan 2006

It's a TN-S supply. If you look at the top of thepicture where the cables enter the DB, you see a smaller cable that has been painted, this is likely the Earth, then if you look on the left of the picture, this cable appears from behind the cutout mounting board and goes out of shot again toward the bottom of the shot. For some odd reeason the head is mounted on it's side which id likely helping with the confusion.

To me this looks like a TN-S, the head does not look right for PME.

You should remember, TNC-S (PME) the Earth emanates from the right hand side of the service cut-out, but in TN-S, there will be a sweated joint or a clamp of some type connecting the earth to the cable sheath.

Belle427 · 29 Jan 2006

that painted earth looks to emerge at the left side of the photo,does it then go outside to a ground rod or is it a bond going somewhere?

Hightowermark · 29 Jan 2006

Sorry guys my fault.

The two small cables coming from the right are yellow/green earth and the small one going into the CU in earth. The cable goes outside by the front door and you can see a little earth cable and then it's buried. about 10cms from where it goes into the ground is what looks like a earth rod (havent seen one before) but it's about 2"/3" high with a stell band around it.

BSBS · 29 Jan 2006

Sorry guys my fault.

The two small cables coming from the right are yellow/green earth and the small one going into the CU in earth. The cable goes outside by the front door and you can see a little earth cable and then it's buried. about 10cms from where it goes into the ground is what looks like a earth rod (havent seen one before) but it's about 2"/3" high with a stell band around it

In which case you have a TT supply, This is basically when the REC do not supply a means of earthing so a Rod is driven into the ground..

Hightowermark · 29 Jan 2006

Ok thanks for that but why would i have 2 earth wires going outside?

The people before me painted the whole thing but the 3 small cables are green/yellow earth.

The Warning sticker says:

' Interference with this installation is illegal and could cause death or injury'

See pictures below

Hightowermark · 29 Jan 2006

andy · 29 Jan 2006

definatly TT

Steve · 29 Jan 2006

What made you say its either TNS or TNCS if you know you have "what looks like an earth rod"? Its definitely a TT supply though.

The other earth conductor may go off to some bonding somewhere.

Hightowermark · 29 Jan 2006

I dont know always thought this rod this would be massive.

At least i know now, are these common?

andy · 29 Jan 2006

Hightowermark said:
I dont know always thought this rod this would be massive.

At least i know now, are these common?

TT is common in older houses. mostly when fed from an overhead cable (no earth on them) but can also be fed from an undergound supply

Plumbfit · 29 Jan 2006

And rural properties

Lectrician · 30 Jan 2006

So now you have determined it is TT - you must now determine if you have an RCD as the main switch in that CU. And if you do, the rating, and weather it is effective!

diynot

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.

Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

Which Earthing do i have?

ryanj

Similar threads