Earth rod

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Hi all,
First time post!
Can you add a supplementary earth rod to a pme system?

Many thanks
 
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It is common to have an earth rod with a TN-S/TN-C-S(PME) system, where it depends on if running on DNO or Local power as to which system it is.

Only the link to earth to neutral needs to be switched.

However, one has to consider with a loss of PEN how much current will flow. With a 23 ohm earth rod, 230/23 = 10 amp will flow, this is not a problem, most single earth rods looking at more like 60 ohms. However, a ham radio operator with an earth mat of 2.3 ohm, having a 100 amp flow, the earth cables must be able to take 100 amps.

When complexes are connected to a PME supply, it is common for the earth to connect through a massive resistor. Where I worked about the size of a transit connect, so there is a limit to current flow with the loss of the PEN.
 
As you may have gathered, I'm just a diy idiot .
I simply want to add an auxiliary earth rod, outside the house and also adjacent to the garage
It's just as a belt and braces approach.
What do you think?
 
Do you have RCDs covering all your circuits - otherwise the earth rod is unlikely to clear shorts and faults.

You say adjacent the garage but it doesn't really matter where you put it - subject to ground conditions.


I wouldn't bother but then some of my circuits don't have a CPC (earth wire).
 
Do you have RCDs covering all your circuits - otherwise the earth rod is unlikely to clear shorts and faults.

You say adjacent the garage but it doesn't really matter where you put it - subject to ground conditions.


I wouldn't bother but then some of my circuits don't have a CPC (earth wire).
Yeah, all covered by rcds, just thinking that it would be safer.
Been watching electrical shenanigans on YouTube and tales of the pme system failing .
 
Thanks for taking the time to reply.

So,to sum up..
If I added an earth rod/rods, it's not going to compromise the pme system in any way.
Tia
 
Thanks for taking the time to reply.

So,to sum up..
If I added an earth rod/rods, it's not going to compromise the pme system in any way.
Tia
Sure, but, after you have hammered it into the ground, how will you test the rod to ensure that it will be effective in the event of a PME failure?
 

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