Electrical experts, including a former employee of one the UK’s major power networks, have told E&T that there is a real risk of deadly gas explosions and fires in the UK due to an increasingly common fault on the electricity network.
They argue that the Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) must acknowledge the risks of neutral current diversion (NCD) so that a programme of testing can be implemented - and lifesaving upgrades made to the grid.
An NCD can occur on the network when the combined protective earthing and neutral (PEN) conductor fails. The current is then diverted by making a circuit via exposed metalwork on buildings including gas, water and oil pipes. This can lead to a significant build-up of heat, leading to fires and gas explosions.
PEN conductors are particularly susceptible to damage, corrosion and general wear and tear across an ageing PME network – and given the huge projected load growth...