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Is the UK the only country that continues to permit and deploy TN-C-S earthing systems?

In a discussion about Diverted Neutral Currents, an contributor (Australia I think) suggested that the problem was that it (DNC) is unique to UK.

I'm not that well versed in international systems of earthing, but it's my understanding that while part of the diverted neutral current problem is because of PME (Protective Multiple Earth), and PEN (Protective Earth and Neutral). And that the the problem is likely to be common to all systems, because there is only one planet earth/ground and we all have to be careful with it when latent and patent faults abound.

I suspect part of the issue is that different folks hear different parts of the story and then project the aspect that's different from their system onto the UK system (given we are reporting it).

Is PME / TN-C-S special to UK?

(discussion was in a Youtube video on ' Loose Neutral Fault Explained')

 

Parents
  • an contributor (Australia I think) suggested that the problem was that it (DNC) is unique to UK

    PME, or more broadly TN-C-S (i.e. TN-C distribution network, separated out at the consumer service head) is NOT unique to the UK, although in some countries other acronyms are used. Examples include (but may not be limited to, and in no real order):

    • Australia (where it is called MEN - multiple earthed neutral)
    • New Zealand (also called MEN)
    • Republic of Ireland (termed TN-C-S)
    • South Africa
    • Germany
    • Austria
    • Netherlands
    • Norway (just starting to use the arrangement)
    • USA (called MGN - multiple grounded neutral)
    • Canada

    I would be really surprised if someone in Australia believes diverted neutral currents (and open-circuit or high resistance neutrals) in TN-C-S systems are unique to the UK, because I understand there have been a number of cases in Australia, among the most serious being a very sad and widely publicised case of severe electric shock received by a child in 2018 as a result of a broken MEN neutral: www.wa.gov.au/.../Investigator-releases-report-into-electric-shock-of-Denishar-Woods-20190927

    In the USA, diverted neutral currents are known to be problematic, and there have been reported cases of diverted neutral currents in and around marinas etc. that might have been responsible for cases of electric shock that resulted in drowning.

Reply
  • an contributor (Australia I think) suggested that the problem was that it (DNC) is unique to UK

    PME, or more broadly TN-C-S (i.e. TN-C distribution network, separated out at the consumer service head) is NOT unique to the UK, although in some countries other acronyms are used. Examples include (but may not be limited to, and in no real order):

    • Australia (where it is called MEN - multiple earthed neutral)
    • New Zealand (also called MEN)
    • Republic of Ireland (termed TN-C-S)
    • South Africa
    • Germany
    • Austria
    • Netherlands
    • Norway (just starting to use the arrangement)
    • USA (called MGN - multiple grounded neutral)
    • Canada

    I would be really surprised if someone in Australia believes diverted neutral currents (and open-circuit or high resistance neutrals) in TN-C-S systems are unique to the UK, because I understand there have been a number of cases in Australia, among the most serious being a very sad and widely publicised case of severe electric shock received by a child in 2018 as a result of a broken MEN neutral: www.wa.gov.au/.../Investigator-releases-report-into-electric-shock-of-Denishar-Woods-20190927

    In the USA, diverted neutral currents are known to be problematic, and there have been reported cases of diverted neutral currents in and around marinas etc. that might have been responsible for cases of electric shock that resulted in drowning.

Children