TT earthing enquiry.

[driverJohn]

Yeah thats my question done with cheers everyone however will connecting the main earth with a metal pipe not require any rcds?
And how to check if the main earth is connected to a pipe instead of a rod.
John

 

[DPG]

Yeah thats my question done with cheers everyone however will connecting the main earth with a metal pipe not require any rcds?
And how to check if the main earth is connected to a pipe instead of a rod.
John

You need an RCD and also an earth connection. I really would recommend getting an electrician in to check this out - it could well be dangerous.

Or, as I said, post a couple of photos - one of your consumer unit and one of what is behind those tiles.

 

[davesparks]

Yeah thats my question done with cheers everyone however will connecting the main earth with a metal pipe not require any rcds?

It will still require RCD's for fault protection.

(technically if it is a large amount of buried pipe, which you own, is on your property, has a very low resistance to earth, is protected against being removed or disconnected, doesn't carry any gas or other flammable/explosive fluid and is suitable for use as an earth rod then you may not need RCDs for fault protection. But you would still need RCDs for other types of protection)

And how to check if the main earth is connected to a pipe instead of a rod.
John

Visually, follow the cable and see what it connects to.

 

[timhoward]

My concern is that there is apparently considerable uncertainty about whether this installation would disconnect under fault conditions as opposed to sitting there with live metalwork ready to kill someone.
From the questions asked I don’t think we are going to be able to reliably guide the OP to an answer.
This could be a life or death matter and as DPG said the installation really needs looking at asap.

I also wouldn’t want to unduly raise the OP’s hopes about a suitable and compliant earth via pipework as in my experience it’s rare to find compliant examples of this in domestic properties, at least where I live. I slightly regret even mentioning water pipes now as they are almost certain to be a red herring.

 

[driverJohn]

yes mate can you remove this entire thread, i give up. With this thread it might motivate me in touching the cutout fuse so might aswell remove this thread

 

[driverJohn]

+ i got duplicate accounts so i will have to be banned for that

 

[DPG]

yes mate can you remove this entire thread, i give up. With this thread it might motivate me in touching the cutout fuse so might aswell remove this thread

Not sure what the problem is here. People have taken time to give you thoughts and opinions. Just open up the tiling and we can see what's there.

 

[Dave OCD]

I'm afraid this is another one where despite very sound and safety critical advice the OP seems hell-bent on disregarding everything to avoid an RCD , potentially lethal. We might as well give up on this one...

 

[nicebutdim]

My concern is that there is apparently considerable uncertainty about whether this installation would disconnect under fault conditions as opposed to sitting there with live metalwork ready to kill someone.
From the questions asked I don’t think we are going to be able to reliably guide the OP to an answer.
This could be a life or death matter and as DPG said the installation really needs looking at asap.

I've seen TT installations where a fault meant live metalwork - not a fun situation.

 

[driverJohn]

yeah true but the lucky man here got earth leakage circuit breakers, but its kind of disappointing to see that as all the pipes are connected with the earth and under a fault condition not all current flows to the elcb as some goes to the other pipes and most luckily they have lower impedance compared to the breaker.