When PME was introduced, we were still in the "post-war" period.
Now we are in a position where, in existing urban areas, PME is here to stay.
I understand some DNOs are offering TN-S for new-build - of course, there is a slight cost increase for the extra core.
With TN-S, you only need one failure after broken PE, on circuits where RCDs are not used. Where RCDs are used, I thought you said you weren't happy with reliance on the RCD?
Your point regarding earthing is very valid ... for all system types. The impact on the effectiveness of main bonding due to the change to plastic service pipes can't be underestimated. I have measured the effective combined earth electrode resistance of my water supply pipe, which is still lead from the street, and it's well under 4 ohms.
How should we deal with that? Germany insist on foundation earth electrodes, which achieve a similar result ... but that idea keeps being shot down here in the UK. I'd like to see some alternative approaches considered. Don't forget, the loss of plastic service piping is not a fault of the DNO, it's a result of health & safety (replacement of corroding metal gas mains for plastic) and public health (replacement of iron and lead water pipes for plastic) and far outside the DNO's control.
When PME was introduced, we were still in the "post-war" period.
Now we are in a position where, in existing urban areas, PME is here to stay.
I understand some DNOs are offering TN-S for new-build - of course, there is a slight cost increase for the extra core.
With TN-S, you only need one failure after broken PE, on circuits where RCDs are not used. Where RCDs are used, I thought you said you weren't happy with reliance on the RCD?
Your point regarding earthing is very valid ... for all system types. The impact on the effectiveness of main bonding due to the change to plastic service pipes can't be underestimated. I have measured the effective combined earth electrode resistance of my water supply pipe, which is still lead from the street, and it's well under 4 ohms.
How should we deal with that? Germany insist on foundation earth electrodes, which achieve a similar result ... but that idea keeps being shot down here in the UK. I'd like to see some alternative approaches considered. Don't forget, the loss of plastic service piping is not a fault of the DNO, it's a result of health & safety (replacement of corroding metal gas mains for plastic) and public health (replacement of iron and lead water pipes for plastic) and far outside the DNO's control.
