Diverting neutral currents

[Isetech]

An interesting topic considering the way we are modifying the electrical installations with SSEG's.

Permanently bonding the neutral and earth or using relays to bond the neutral earth inside the property.

It seems the current on the neutral earth bond is "normal", it's when things go wrong or someone disconnects the neutral or earth wire while the power is on that it gets interesting. IT could explain why there was a bunch of sparks while doing tests on an installation with a permanent earth neutral bond.

By the way we dont have combined neutral earth systems in our part of the world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fen8ekrhlBI&ab_channel=JohnWard

[Dylboy]

This Is exactly why I bring on bonding and earthing so much especially with PV panels and true contact to earth. I have been following this DNC for awhile now. The E5 group mostly of Paul as well as that video with John Ward. We have it here in SA when they steal cables as well as corroded joins.

Remeber when you clamped the perm neutral earth bond and picked up amps and I did the same, it's only when the grid is available. Which relates to a high resistive Neautral or earth bond so all the current finds home via the actual earth. Such an interesting issue

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[Isetech]

We are heading for some interesting time ahead.

[GCE]

The neutral and neutral earthing is becoming a problem because people do not understand the risks , are mis-interrupting the regulations and listening to one person who professes to be an expert and seems to be on a crusade .

Regulations are clear that the earth neutral on remote installed alternative supplies shall only be earth while in Island mode .
That neutral bars shall be split between essential and non essential

What we are picking up is neutral bars between essential and non essential being joined and relying on Utility earth to bring neutral to zero.
Problem is the utility workers are being shocked as the neutrals in the street are becoming live when they are changing out meters or working on cable faults.

SANS 10142-1
7.12.3.1.3 Where alternative supplies are installed remotely from the
installation, or from one another, and where it is not possible to make use of
a single neutral bar or neutral conductor which is earthed, the neutral of each
unit shall be earthed at the unit and these points shall be bonded to the
consumer's earth terminal (see 6.12.4). The supply from each unit which
supplies the installation or part of the installation, shall be switched by means
of a switch that breaks all live conductors operating substantially together
(see figures P.2 and P.4), to disconnect the earthed neutral point from the
installation neutral when the alternative supply is not connected (see also
6.1.6).
NOTE Where four pole switching is implemented, consideration should be given to use
overlapping neutral switching devices.
7.12.3.1.4 Where only part of an installation is switched to the alternative
supply in the same distribution board, the neutral bar shall be split
(see figures P.2 and P.3).

[Thys LOW Elektries]

Isetech, here by us earth/neutral c-s systems are still being used widely but are slowly being phased out. We have two wires coming to the point of control, where the meter is and then they bond earth and neutral so that you have three wires going into the house. When the neutral gets lost or become loose that is when you have sparks with a shocking experience.
I can understand why the TN-C-S systems are being phased out.