High earth loop reading - my problem or EDF's?

[Deleted User]

Hi

I recently had my house rewired as the old setup was extremely dated.

Once the electrician I used was finished, I started to get some quotes for new central heating system.

When Scottish Gas came to quote, they did an impedance test and they said the the reading was too high and they would not be able to do any work in my house until it was resolved.

I went back to my electrician and he said that it's my electricity suppliers responsibility to fix it. He was adamant on this point, but he did say that he could install a spike or something, but it would cost me £500 or so.

I rang EDF, who made contact with SP Energy Networks - the man that came had a look at the meter and said that it's not their responsibility.

My electrician is saying that it's definitely the suppliers problem to fix.

Can anyone shed any light on this for me as I don't really want to pay for a fix if it's not my responsibility.

I live in Scotland by the way.

Thanks

EDIT: I unplugged an electric grill and the plug socket on my 4 socket extension gave a big blue glow and an electric shock sound. I didn't get injured, but the fuse box tripped (I assume that's a good sign?). It also knackered my extension cord!

Ich_2

If you have an earth supplied by the DNO (SP Power Networks) it is up to them to maintain it.
If there is no earth it is your responsibility to get an electrician to fit a TT earth rod.

I'm amazed that this was not picked up during the rewire as the necessary certificates cannot be issued if the earth loop impedance is high, perhaps you need to ask your electrician why he did not pick this up or rectify it during the rewire!
The £500 estimate is a joke no way should it cost that

p.s. it is often far better to get the electrician to talk direct with the DNO

[Deleted User]

Ich wrote: »

If you have an earth supplied by the DNO (SP Power Networks) it is up to them to maintain it.
If there is no earth it is your responsibility to get an electrician to fit a TT earth rod.

I'm amazed that this was not picked up during the rewire as the necessary certificates cannot be issued if the earth loop impedance is high, perhaps you need to ask your electrician why he did not pick this up or rectify it during the rewire!
The £500 estimate is a joke no way should it cost that

p.s. it is often far better to get the electrician to talk direct with the DNO

Thanks for your reply - I wasn't given any certificates - should i have been?

I think I will get another electrical firm to have a look.

JC_Derby

Deleted_User wrote: »

Thanks for your reply - I wasn't given any certificates - should i have been?

I think I will get another electrical firm to have a look.

Yes you should have been!!! did you go with a reputable firm.
What impedance did Scottish Gas find?
Are you an underground service or overhead fed?
£500 for an earth spike

muckybutt

Right then it depends where the high loop reading has been taken from !

You do two readings, there is the earth loop readings at sockets and light fittings etc and then theres the psc reading which is done on the customers side of the meter tails.

If the reading was done at a socket and was found to be high then there are a few ways to in a way get around it to bring it into line with the regs.

If the psc is high then it is the DNO responsibility ie scottish hydro / scottish power etc.

I recently tested a commercial property that had a psc just over the threshold of the regs, rang supplier up Northern powergrid in this case, an engineer was on site within two hours, he testedand confirmed a floating earth which was resulting in the high psc, so they then raised a job for their jointers to come out and provided a completely new earth.

JC_Derby

muckybutt wrote: »

Right then it depends where the high loop reading has been taken from !

You do two readings, there is the earth loop readings at sockets and light fittings etc and then theres the psc reading which is done on the customers side of the meter tails.

If the reading was done at a socket and was found to be high then there are a few ways to in a way get around it to bring it into line with the regs.

If the psc is high then it is the DNO responsibility ie scottish hydro / scottish power etc.

I recently tested a commercial property that had a psc just over the threshold of the regs, rang supplier up Northern powergrid in this case, an engineer was on site within two hours, he testedand confirmed a floating earth which was resulting in the high psc, so they then raised a job for their jointers to come out and provided a completely new earth.

excellent answer this one...and something i forgot to put in mine, doh

Cknocker

If you were in England or Wales this one would be clear cut.

The Scottish building regs (Which are not as developed as in England and Wales), the law is the system has to be safe - yours at present is NOT.

What I can't believe is that although it is recommended that certificates are issue to show compliance, it is not mandatory, nor is it mandatory for the work to be carried out by a competent person - although it has to be signed off by a competent person - as it stands at present that is impossible as your earth loop impedance is too high.

So a couple of questions: -

1. Does the electrician have any relevant qualifications, and if so what?
2. Did he test any of the electrics on completion?

By virtue of the fact that he is quoting £500 for an Earth Rod suggests he knows something is not right and is trying to put you off - there is no way an Earth Rod should cost that.

If the guy was competent, he would have picked up the High Earth Loop Impedance, checked his own work and if that was ok contacted the DNO.
At this point the DNO could have come out and checked their Earth and discussed it with the electrician.

You need to get this Electrician back to test his work and rectify any faults (At his cost!!!). If he refuses, you are probably into the world of trading standards and legal action.

Cknocker

Also, with reference to the grill - the problem there is nothing to do with the earth - you've unplugged it under a heavy load, creating an arc inside the socket.