Neutral Current Diversion (NCD) research – we need your input!
NAPIT are working with industry partners IET, ECA, Electrical Safety First, NICEIC and SELECT, and are reaching out to the industry for their help in the research of ‘neutral current diversion’. There is very little data on this occurrence, so we need our electrical installers and electrical inspectors to complete a short questionnaire if they have experienced neutral current diversion.
What is neutral current diversion?
In the event of a lost protective earthed neutral (PEN) conductor on a TN-C (PME) electrical supply, the installation loses its intended connection to neutral and Earth. Current is then ‘diverted’ and will find its way back to the supply transformer any way it can. One common route is through shared metallic pipework, such as gas and water pipes.
This occurrence could affect anything from a single dwelling, to the potential of over one hundred houses. These two scenarios highlight that expected neutral current diversion is hard to quantify in terms of the routes along which currents will flow back to the supply transformer and the accumulative size of current in amps.
What do we need from you?
Should neutral current diversion be detected, we ask that you submit your findings.
Please use the above QR Code or visit https://response.questback.com/theiet/wipzxj3tay
where you will be presented with a number of simple questions, three of which will be:
1. What was the voltage/current that you measured?
2. Did you call 105 to report the incident?
3. Postcode of the installation.
What happens next?
The research period will run for six months, within which all submissions will be reviewed. What happens next depends on what is uncovered. If there are lots of incidences in one area, then the DNO in that area will be made aware of the size of the problem. If there are lots of incidences countrywide, then every DNO will be alerted of the size of the problem. It may be that the group decides to inform the Government should the findings indicate a problem wider than expected.
This is vital research that is needed provide insight into what is needed to maintain essential electrical safety within our communities.
Article Published:
19 July 2024
ietnapit