How much for protective multiple earthing (PME)?

twodogsbluearmy

We have just had an electrician around and he says we need to get a PME installed from our electricity supplier. Anyone have any idea what this is, and how much it costs?

Ken68

Something here, Two.,.......looks like other conditions apply.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Book/5.6.1.htm

My earthing cable (if that is what it means), goes from the gas meter box and the electric meter,right thru the house to the rising main, at the back of the house.
Put in by an electrician so why didn't your man quote.??
Half a days work, plus materials.

twodogsbluearmy

Ken68 wrote:

Something here, Two.,.......looks like other conditions apply.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Book/5.6.1.htm

My earthing cable (if that is what it means), goes from the gas meter box and the electric meter,right thru the house to the rising main, at the back of the house.
Put in by an electrician so why didn't your man quote.??
Half a days work, plus materials.

Thanks for the link but i still don't understand what PME is for (I need something like an Electrics for Dummies explanation).
We currently have an Earthing Cable connected to the GAS (which is next to the fuse box).

The electrician could not quote for it as it has to be fitted by the Electricity Board.

YorkshireBoy

twodogsbluearmy wrote:

...i still don't understand what PME is for (I need something like an Electrics for Dummies explanation).

No offence, but there isn't an explanation for "dummies". It's a specialist area of electrical engineering involving the supply authority's cabling system. Your installation (from the consumer unit) will be connected the same, whether you are on PME (or PEN/CNE) or not.

We currently have an Earthing Cable connected to the GAS (which is next to the fuse box).

This has nothing to do with PME.

The electrician could not quote for it as it has to be fitted by the Electricity Board.

...and they can't give it you unless they give it to everyone else in your neighbourhood.

Did the electrician leave you a (written) report as to his 'concerns' with your installation?

Ken68

What were the circumstances, Twodogs., that brought it to your attention.
Is it an old property, should your supplier be responsible , do the Building Regs people know ??

baldelectrician

PME is a way of providing an earth to a house from a combined neutral/earth supply cable.

In other words you have 2 conductors coming in to the house
1. Phase (LIVE)
2. Neutral/Earth (Combined Neutral & Earth)

Previously most houses had
1. Live
2. Neutral
3. Earth

It should ONLY be carried out by the local supply authority, and only if all dwellings connected to the PME supply have good earthing (water & gas) and an electrical installation in a good condition

If there is an existing earth supplied by the electricity supplier (and it's pants) they have a duty to maintain it at no cost to you.

mercurystar999

Can i ask why the electrician advised on you having pme installed? Did he leave you with any explanation? There are other ways of getting around the problem.

twodogsbluearmy

the builder who is installing our kitchen got an electrician in to do the electrics, he said to get a certificate we need to have PME as i guess from what you have all said our earthing system is currently pants. I got the story forth hand (Electritian > Builder > Wife > Me), it sounded like it would cost us more money. but you have all put my mind at rest, thanks.

baldelectrician

He can give you a certificate, without PME, but he may have to leave any new stuff he has worked on un-connected.

Find out EXACTLY what the problem is and pm me if you need more info.

Stewart