NEDL slow to fit PME

borokat

We don't have access to the outside wall - it is enclosed by the fenced off patio belonging to the downstairs flat. It was the emergency number we rang.
I am well aware this might not fix the problem, but we can't really do anything else until we have this PME. I just don't get why I should wait 6 weeks for it.

Phil_L_2

Have you asked the DNO to come and repair the missing earth? You do not want then to install PME you need the existing earth reinstated. This needs to be done with IMMEDIATE effect since it is a dangerous situation.

If they refuse to repair their equipment then you MUST install an earth rod. The earth cable will have to be taken around the building to a suitable point and an earth rod installed. At this point an official complaint is in order.

Homersimpson

One of the reasons why something might not work without an earth is that many electronic items use the earth as a reference (switch mode power supplies are one of the worst offenders), hence the problems with PC's being on RCD devices. However if this were the case then you would most likely get a shock off the case of the boiler, p.c. etc, section 607 of the old 16th edition (can't remember the number in the 17th) was all about high integrity earthing to avoid just this situation.

As you havent mentioned recieving shocks off all of your equipment or any bonded metalwork in the flat then i'm not convinences that you don't have some form of earth (Albeit not necessary an ideal one).

I assume the spark did an earth loop test, what reading did he get?

As mentioned above the DNO are under no obligations to provide a PME earth and may chose not to. If you have any pictures of your consumer unit, the meter and the incoming supply position these might help us to advise what might be going on.

In the meantime if it were me and you genuinly dont have an earth I would temporarily bang in an earth rod and run the cable down the outside of the building cable tied to the rain water pipe or clipped to the building. You would then need an RCD on the mains and it would at least be much more safe - this would give you a TT system. It doesn't have to be a permanent solution just a safe one.

If I had a client with no earth I would advise them to isolate their supply as all sorts of odd things can and do happen.