Electrical advice please - no earth?

martin71

Hi moneysavers

I recently had my house rewired - we moved in 3 weeks ago and it clearly needed doing. The house was built in 1933 and had obviously had a mishmash of DIY electrical jobs over the decades.

While doing the job, the electricians found something that worried me - namely that the house apparently has no mains earth.

They have earthed all the work they've done, and say it's safe, but advised us to call the electricity board and get them to provide an earth for the mains.

I have two questions for any kind and knowledgeable souls:

1 - Does this really need doing? (If the previous owners have managed without for 73 years I guess it can't be too unsafe!)
2 - Does anyone know what we should expect to pay for this?

Thanks very much
Martin

flang

Your electrician most proberbly wired the phase neutral and earth terminal into your electricity meter.
Older type installations use earthing rods in the ground however this has been phased out to a PME type system where the earth is wired into the neutral.
I would check with the electricity board if this is the case with yours.
http://www.epanorama.net/documents/groundloop/feed_1phase.gif

baldelectrician

You need an earth, the company who did the work should have gave you some paperwork- namely an electrical installation certificate, or small installation certificate.

In this certificate it states 'means of earthing' it is not acceptable to put 'ask the customer ' .
There needs to be an earth.

This can normally be provided by the local electricity supply company, for around £75 -£150 usually, if not your contractor should have installed an earth rod in or around your house.

In past times the local power company provided you with an earth, and do still in normal situations. A common misconception is they are legally obliged to do this, this is not tue. They are legally obliged to maintain an existing earth, but not to provide a new one.

Until around the 1960's the incoming water pipe was used as a means of earthing. This is not permisable now, but the water mains should still be earthed but not used as the sole means of providing an earth.