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High earth leakage current on earth bar from mobile telecommunication's equipment

I'm reviewing a mobile infrastructure power system where we have recorded (using a clamp meter) 16A on the MET earth and similar readings on the various bonds terminated onto a common 8 way copper bar earth bar. The site has a 300mA RCCB installed at the TN-C-S source which operates fine as expected however the high current running through the exposed copper earth bar in the meter cabinet is a concern. 

It's worth mentioning that the primary load is mobile network equipment which includes rectifiers and understandably will produce earth leakage from the DC systems. I suppose this would be considered 'planned' earth leakage, however the potential for electric shock from an exposed copper bar cannot be ignored.

I had assumed the IET Guide to Data Centre Power Systems would have some solution to DC earth leakage issues, however this has not yet been formally published. I have encountered high earth currents in a previous project (rail) which resulting the DNO repairing a cable joint in the street however this site is rural and the DC tech seems to be the prime suspect. Is there an IET guidance on how this should be dealt with?

**UPDATE**

The final outcome to this was a broken neutral conductor in the supply cable. When the DNO removed the LV earth link to separate the LV & HV earthing systems in line with G78 the supply was completely lost which identified the the system had been using the combined earth system as a return path. The supply was rewired back to the nearest joint and problem solved. 

Parents
  • Yeah, sounds like more like diverted neutral currents rather than equipment leakage. What is the current on each of the conductors attached to the MET? For example if it's 16A on the EC, 16A on the bonding to a metal water pipe and nothing to the DB earth, then it's not your equipment, and its more likely another site with a broken PEN is effectively using the water pipe and then your water bonding and EC as their N return path.

    How is the site supplied? Are there other installations nearby?

Reply
  • Yeah, sounds like more like diverted neutral currents rather than equipment leakage. What is the current on each of the conductors attached to the MET? For example if it's 16A on the EC, 16A on the bonding to a metal water pipe and nothing to the DB earth, then it's not your equipment, and its more likely another site with a broken PEN is effectively using the water pipe and then your water bonding and EC as their N return path.

    How is the site supplied? Are there other installations nearby?

Children
  • Thanks for the feedback,  

    As per my response to  , This installation is in the middle of a field and serving equipment on a HV pylon site, the nearest connect would be a farm c200m away.