Discuss Assistance with my installation in the UK Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

Maybe but to export it you would have to do exactly that. The fact that you could have a 'special location' downstream in some cases may not be relevant. I could have a bathroom in this downstream location but could still employ the TN-C-S derived earth.
The way I see it is this :
if you have a tnc-s /pme earthing system, and it is taken to an outbuilding that is out of the equipotential zone of the property then you would be exporting it.

If the building is within that zone and no extraneous, then you would be utilising the cpc.
 
Last edited:
I think a lot of the confusion surrounding this comes from the word 'export'.
Thank you. The word "export" makes me cringe every time!

The way I see it is this :
if you have a tnc-s /pme earthing system, and it is taken to an outbuilding that is out of the equipotential zone of the property then you would be exporting it.
The way I see it is that we are excellent at over-thinking this topic.

-We are creating a distribution circuit.
-Normal fault protection rules apply
-Normal RCD selectivity rules apply
-Whatever the earthing is at the origin will be the earthing for the distribution circuit unless we deliberately change it.
-There might be stuff to bond the other end, in which case normal bonding rules apply including the size of the CPC that supports it (noting new AM2 reg about bonding conductor sizes in a separate building)
-As with all installation work, special location rules can apply

In my experience most of the time this all amounts to "carry on".
And don't let the OpenPen doom angels deter you! I'd bet it's more likely the never-tested RCD will fail on a TT setup than an OpenPEN fault happening to that very house.
 
@mainline can you say where in BS7671 they reference equipotential zone and then further support your statement.


As said, it's how I differentiate between the word "utilise" and “export”.

The word "export " is recognised and used by all the schemes, and everyone understands the meaning.
 
Equipotential zone is what you need to clarify.
You want me to give explain what equipotential zones are ? And the risk of step potential ?

Just because its the way i differentiate between extending, utilising and exporting is not to your liking, then maybe you can explain it.
 
Last edited:
Just wondered as that term hasn't been used in BS7671 for many a year.
Do you mean The term “equipotential zone” hasn't been used ? Does that mean Equipotential zones no longer exist, I thought you create an equipotential zone when you equipotential bond which I think there maybe a mention of in bs7671. 😯
 
Last edited:

Reply to Assistance with my installation in the UK Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

Similar Threads

Hi, if getting back to the CU is not an option, instead of spurring off a socket via a Sfs putting the rating down to 13a. Could you spur off the...
Replies
43
Views
2K
Was having a poke around the old man's house today. Anyway. DB is under stairs (18th ed following a recent extension. Not done by me but it's...
Replies
7
Views
707
Hi all, Merry Christmas to everyone, and apologies for talking work during the holidays😅 I have my first EV charger install job early in the New...
Replies
14
Views
2K
Hi there, long time lurker, first time poster here. Straight down to it.. A friend asked me to add some sockets and additional lights to a small...
Replies
0
Views
888
The earthing arrangement where the hot tub will be installed is formed in the TN-C-S system. I want to install the sub-main distribution circuit...
Replies
18
Views
2K

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Electrician Courses Green Electrical Goods PCB Way Electrical Goods - Electrical Tools - Brand Names Pushfit Wire Connectors Electric Underfloor Heating Electrician Courses
These Official Forum Sponsors May Provide Discounts to Regular Forum Members - If you would like to sponsor us then CLICK HERE and post a thread with who you are, and we'll send you some stats etc

Electrical Forum

Welcome to the Electrical Forum at ElectriciansForums.net. The friendliest electrical forum online. General electrical questions and answers can be found in the electrical forum.
This website was designed, optimised and is hosted by Untold Media. Operating under the name Untold Media since 2001.
Back
Top
AdBlock Detected

We get it, advertisements are annoying!

Sure, ad-blocking software does a great job at blocking ads, but it also blocks useful features of our website. For the best site experience please disable your AdBlocker.

I've Disabled AdBlock