Earth to be replaced - DNO says not responsible

AJMCK

Hi - we had an ECR done on a property we've just purchased and the electrician found very high earth readings as the earth pipe has severely corroded. I contacted UK Power Networks (DNO for London area) and they sent an engineer round to look at it who said a new earth was needed and they were not responsible for that so would charge >£900 for connecting a new earth. My electrician thinks they should be responsible for replacing it.

Has anyone any experience on dealing with UK Power Networks or any other DNO on replacement of earths?

Many thanks

muckybutt

AFAIK DNO have to supply you / the customer with an earth point.

Last year a property I look after had very high main Zs readings so we contacted the DNO - they sent an engineer that day and he confirmed it was excessively high, he then arranged a call out team to come back and renew the earth from their side to ours - no charge.

System

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/2665/regulation/24/made seems to cover the DNOs responsibilty to get the earth sorted

cyclonebri1

Oh my god, whats replacing earth????

DaftyDuck

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Oh my god, whats replacing earth????

That was my worry too - wasn't looking forward to more Vogon poetry either!:D

Phil_L_2

It rather depends on the system installed but I seem to remember that the DNO is not obliged to provide an earth. If you have an overhead supply and an earth rod then it is down to you.

Gloomendoom

!!!!!! wrote: »

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/2665/regulation/24/made seems to cover the DNOs responsibilty to get the earth sorted

Doesn't that only apply to first time electrical connections since that legislation came into force?

Stooby2

It seems easy enough to make your own earth point...

http://www.electrical-contractor.net/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/204222/all/Portable_Generator_Grounding.html

System

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Doesn't that only apply to first time electrical connections since that legislation came into force?

No because there is an ongoing duty

(b)installed and, so far as is reasonably practicable, maintained so as to prevent danger

Ectophile

AJMCK wrote: »

Hi - we had an ECR done on a property we've just purchased and the electrician found very high earth readings as the earth pipe has severely corroded.

Earth pipe?

The ESQCR regulations say that if the DNO has supplied you with an Earth, then they must maintain it.

If they are not in a position to supply you with an Earth, then it's your responsibility to make one using an Earth rod.

A few years ago, it was common to use the incoming mains water pipe as the Earth. But this is frowned upon these days, as the water companies are gradually ripping out the old metal water mains and replacing them with plastic.