Eskom contact to sort high Earth loop

[Dylboy]

Hello all : )

Hoping for an easier way or even the right way but trying to talk to someone at Eskom is pulling teeth.

I have a client with a high earth loop which needs looking at and sorting however with the chatbot of Eskom and the call centre I am not winning.

How do I report a high earth loop or even how do I talk to a human at Eskom ?

Many thanks !

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[Isetech]

You send a danger notice to them via email, I find it works well with out local municipality.

[Isetech]

You will find it in Annex H and highlight the notice in red.

[Isetech]

The reason you MUST email it to them, because it is potentially dangerous and nobody remembers anything when the shyte hits the fan.

I have sent many of these notices, in some cases they respond within a day and others they still haven't responded years later, CYA, I have proof that it was sent.

It is like comments/advice/cut and paste information you read on social media, its like talking trash in the pub.

[Dave A]

I have sent many of these notices, in some cases they respond within a day and others they still haven't responded years later, CYA, I have proof that it was sent.

And don't issue a COC until the high loop reading issue is resolved.

[Isetech]

I send the email, wait 1 week then issue the COC with a note and a copy of the email attached to customer recommending that they follow up the repair. Its not your fault the supplier doesn't respond to a danger notice.

It is like sitting with the fire department, waiting for the electricity department to answer the phone while the pole is on fire

In most cases there has been a high resistance for a long time prior to your visit.

And don't issue a COC until the high loop reading issue is resolved.

[Derlyn]

Have you tried hitting in an earth spike and re testing ?

[Isetech]

I am busy with a test report and COC for a project I did in 2007.

A few minor repairs and we are good to go.

Something I noticed when doing the loop impedance test at the main DB, L-N = 0.4 , L-E 0.00.

It seems almost impossible I have never seen 0.00 ohms while testing an installation. Even if the neutral and earth is connected together on the pole. I am going to return on Monday, just to verify the reading and check zero the leads again.

The loop tests on the plugs around the building where around what I expected to see.

We have experienced many challenges with the power in this area, volt drops down to 160 VAC and as high as 269 VAC (monitoring with the fluke 435). We have also had the entire building electronic blown to pieces (literally), that was an expensive ooops, insurance felt that because their was no bad weather/lightning on the day, no claim. Yes we have every surge protection and over current device fitted in multiple locations in the building.

On Friday one of the street light caught on fire.

[Derlyn]

Seems as if something went wrong with the measuring instrument. Theoretically, on a perfect supply from a transformer that is not centre tapped, the L-E loop impedance cannot and should never be lower than the L-N impedance. The only time this would happen is if there's a faulty neutral conductor, which in your case is not the case.

It's going to be interesting to hear what the outcome is after you've been back to site and re tested.

I would suggest that for some or other reason, the previous readings were inaccurate.

[Dylboy]

Hello : )

So update, I used the Alfred chat bot from Eskom, nothing about high loop but filled it in as such as danger and potential shock etc.

Anyway they chao went on Saturday mid day and said he tested and that all is ok, he tested at the box.

My fault as I assumed it was the supply cable as they had issues with water pipes in the same area so thought damage happened there,

Will be back in the week to test from the main earth terminal to the DB earth terminal to see if that is ok or damaged and then do the earth loop test at the main DB for supplier side outside.

Shows you, in a rush and just assume but should have tested extra, didn't have my long wonder lead so that is ok the car now for when I go.

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[Dylboy]

Update, went back and ran a long lead from the earth terminal at the supplier box on boundary wall and all tested well.

Then did the earth loop test at the supplier main switch and got the same bad reading, so back to trying to get Eskom back there to sort...

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[Isetech]

Why didnt you just do the loop test at the suppliers box.

Disconnect the earth wire and switch of the breaker if you are concerned parallel earth loops.

Another method of identifying bad connections is to load the electrical installation while carrying out loop impedance tests. An example, turn on all the stove plates and you will see how quickly things escalate.

[Dylboy]

At the time I was there I didn't have the key to open it, client had locks on it and per Sans AFAIK it's turn off main switch at the main DB and test from there.

I also didn't have my long wonder lead either and 99% of the time a high earth loop is from supplier side.

I recall an old thread where you spoke of loading the installation but I have not done it yet with doing an Earth loop test. I can imagine it can be interesting as current leaks to earth.

I didn't disconnect the main earth to isolate parallel paths as the earth bar is under the enclosure and befuk hard to get to and in this country not a thing. Also keeping in parallel paths in my view is a true reading for the electrical installation as a whole.

Not like the UK where you can clearly see and easily disconnect the main earth, here it's a bit of a thing and per Sans not stating to do it it is not done.

But I also take PFC on both earth and neutral paths to make sure all good as well

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[Dylboy]

So reported a new fault under a dangerous situation.

The chap phoned me and said that if the installation is fine and have good readings of the earth cable then it's obviously Eskom side in which the CoC can be submitted as the actual electrical installation is ok ok clients side.

Very Interesting!

My first thought is that a Line to Earth fault won't trip the smallest breaker there... Anyway thought I would share.

Saved his number and in S.A terms will meet over a coke to try get it sorted.....failing all this it will be a 200 to 300mA earth leakage device which feeds the whole house to meet earth fault

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[Derlyn]

So reported a new fault under a dangerous situation.

The chap phoned me and said that if the installation is fine and have good readings of the earth cable then it's obviously Eskom side in which the CoC can be submitted as the actual electrical installation is ok ok clients side.

Very Interesting!

My first thought is that a Line to Earth fault won't trip the smallest breaker there... Anyway thought I would share.

Saved his number and in S.A terms will meet over a coke to try get it sorted.....failing all this it will be a 200 to 300mA earth leakage device which feeds the whole house to meet earth fault

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I agree with Dave. I would not have issued the COC.

The chances are quite good that an acceptable reading would have been obtained by hitting in an earth spike and re testing.

That's the route that I would have taken.