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Broken PEN

Kelly Marie Angel

I know this subject has been done to death but why are the neutral/PEN conductors more likely to go open circuit than any of the phases? It seems to me there is some basic problem the way they are installed are they not tightened to the same degree as the phases? I know being a black conductor they may seem less important than the red yellow and blue  but can the DNOs have a refresher course or similar to remind them the black wire is just as important as the others. I may be over simplifying this but to me it just seems odd that the one cable is more prone to coming loose than the others. Also I know I used the old proper colors  rather than the new ones but its late so indulge me a bit. I remember years ago the neutral link on a pole near my old house  burnt out when the DNO guy pulled and wiggled it there was a flash and a bang  he dropped the lead which was badly melted maybe this is part of the problem??

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    I am not certain that PEN conductors are more liable to failure than are phase conductors. arguably a greater cause for concern in view of the  likely serious consequences.

    Open circuit phase conductor = some customers lose supply until repairs are done

    Open circuit PEN  conductor = risk of dangerous shocks between earthed electrical equipment and the general mass of earth, Also risk of dangerous overvoltage on the lightest loaded phase, AND fire risk.if neutral current is diverted via paralell paths that are inadequate for this current.

  • 0 in reply to broadgage
    broadgage said:
    I am not certain that PEN conductors are more liable to failure than are phase conductors. arguably a greater cause for concern in view of the  likely serious consequences.

    Quite so: are there any data available?

    If a line conductor fails, the supplied installations are suddenly without power and the DNO gets called. The line gets fixed and nobody gives it a second thought.

    However, if the PEN is lost the electrons might be able to find their way back to the transformer via parallel paths, but in the meantime, as broadgauge says, a dangerous situation exists. If something then happens such as fire or a shock, everybody notices and observer bias may arise.

    Yes, it would be interesting to know the rate of PEN or just N failures as opposed to L.

  • 0 in reply to Chris Pearson

    I think Paul Meenan has some stats on PEN faults.  I am sure he is an IET memeber.  Might be worth connecting with him.

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