UK, house, Neutral connected direct to Earth Wire?

2Pringles · Post by **2Pringles** » Mon Feb 13, 2023 2:55 am

I have "inherited" a setup from the previous electrician, as the Neutral wire leaves the Consumer unit, its going direct to the Earth block...

its been like it for years apparently, but two questions.
1) Scientifically speaking, is there any problem with this?
2) Regulatory speaking, is this against the regs?

First thing that comes to mind is that in all UK setups, the Neutral wire back to the transformer/substation connects to ground anyway, so this current setup is just reaching the ground point sooner...

ericmark · Post by **ericmark** » Mon Feb 13, 2023 10:13 am

This explains about a broken PEN the PEN is the combined earth/neutral which is not allowed after the DNO head, the main problem is if the PEN is lost, items can become live.

There is great debate at the moment over EV charging points and the dangers with a broken PEN, but also after the consumer unit joining neutral and earth would mean the RCD would either not work, or would trip out all the time, every neutral has to be kept separate never mind neutral and earth.

A borrowed neutral is dangerous enough, also will also cause RCD's to trip, never mind earth bonded to neutral.