No incoming earth - as usual

[skatingsparks]

Is it just me being unlucky but nearly every property I go to (domestic) does not have a decent incoming earth?

Most of the time its TN-S (obviously TT having a spike) but the last 8 domestic properties (in the space of 2 months - different areas of Johannesburg) I have been to have been to had no, or insufficient, incoming earth.

High loop test readings every time. Have two loop testers so its not the testers (checked them on my own place which I know is earthed)

Is this just going to be the norm now. Works fine but no earth?

The old 'I got a COC when I bought the place'. Most have been bought recently so there must be the usual 'from the bakkie' COC thing going on.

Hate doing domestics but you gotta do what you gotta do when the commercial front is quiet.

[Derlyn]

Morning Brother

Here in East London there are whole suburbs where no earth is supplied by the supply authority ... 2 wires only ... live & neutral.

We have to then make a plan and hit in a spike.

Peace out ... Derek

[Dave A]

Not quite a "usual" situation in Durban. But far more common than it should be.

[ians]

The earth wires are being removed from the open overhead lines in our neighbourhood ... as the laod shedding starts the earth wires are cut ... i reported it to the council ... they said they dont need them ... its just an earth wire ... just smile thats all you can do.

[AndyD]

Also I wouldn't say it was usual in Cape Town but we do come across higher than acceptable loop impedances from time to time.

[Jaws]

Morning Brother

Here in East London there are whole suburbs where no earth is supplied by the supply authority ... 2 wires only ... live & neutral.

We have to then make a plan and hit in a spike.

Peace out ... Derek

No spike required - that's just a TNC-S system

[Derlyn]

No spike required - that's just a TNC-S system[ATTACH=CONFIG]7959[/ATTACH]

Jaws, you are 100% correct, it is not necessary.

That said, having an earth spike at the installation will reduce the chances of dangerous voltages appearing on the bodies of earthed appliances should there be a break in the PEN conductor between the supply authority and the installation.

Peace out .. Derek.

[ians]

Just a note ... its not as simple as knocking a spike in the ground ... you need to do a ground restistance test ... back in the day when i built water treatment plants around the country ... we had to use earth spikes ... boy did we have some fun trying to get the ground right for a spike ... sometimes a mat is required.

With having a spike/mat in the ground you start introducing other issues ... potential difference between the supply neutral and the earth spike ( unless you link the neutral and earth spike at the meter box)