Eskom contact to sort high Earth loop

[Dylboy]

Hello all : )

Hoping for an easier way or even the right way but trying to talk to someone at Eskom is pulling teeth.

I have a client with a high earth loop which needs looking at and sorting however with the chatbot of Eskom and the call centre I am not winning.

How do I report a high earth loop or even how do I talk to a human at Eskom ?

Many thanks !

Sent from my CPH2197 using Tapatalk

[Isetech]

You send a danger notice to them via email, I find it works well with out local municipality.

[Isetech]

Why didnt you just do the loop test at the suppliers box.

Disconnect the earth wire and switch of the breaker if you are concerned parallel earth loops.

Another method of identifying bad connections is to load the electrical installation while carrying out loop impedance tests. An example, turn on all the stove plates and you will see how quickly things escalate.

[Isetech]

You will find it in Annex H and highlight the notice in red.

[Isetech]

The reason you MUST email it to them, because it is potentially dangerous and nobody remembers anything when the shyte hits the fan.

I have sent many of these notices, in some cases they respond within a day and others they still haven't responded years later, CYA, I have proof that it was sent.

It is like comments/advice/cut and paste information you read on social media, its like talking trash in the pub.

[Dave A]

I have sent many of these notices, in some cases they respond within a day and others they still haven't responded years later, CYA, I have proof that it was sent.

And don't issue a COC until the high loop reading issue is resolved.

[Isetech]

I send the email, wait 1 week then issue the COC with a note and a copy of the email attached to customer recommending that they follow up the repair. Its not your fault the supplier doesn't respond to a danger notice.

It is like sitting with the fire department, waiting for the electricity department to answer the phone while the pole is on fire

In most cases there has been a high resistance for a long time prior to your visit.

And don't issue a COC until the high loop reading issue is resolved.

[Derlyn]

Have you tried hitting in an earth spike and re testing ?

[Isetech]

Back to the earthing arrangement, chances are they will just bridge the neutral and earth on the pole or in the CDU, depending on the supply and place you live this could also be dangerous.

We log a fault and email the danger notice to the supplier and the user/owner attach the notice to the COC and move on.

There is being negligent and there is taking steps to attempt to do the right thing.

You could go the route Derlyn suggested, with an earth spike, this could start costing a few bob.

[Isetech]

I am busy with a test report and COC for a project I did in 2007.

A few minor repairs and we are good to go.

Something I noticed when doing the loop impedance test at the main DB, L-N = 0.4 , L-E 0.00.

It seems almost impossible I have never seen 0.00 ohms while testing an installation. Even if the neutral and earth is connected together on the pole. I am going to return on Monday, just to verify the reading and check zero the leads again.

The loop tests on the plugs around the building where around what I expected to see.

We have experienced many challenges with the power in this area, volt drops down to 160 VAC and as high as 269 VAC (monitoring with the fluke 435). We have also had the entire building electronic blown to pieces (literally), that was an expensive ooops, insurance felt that because their was no bad weather/lightning on the day, no claim. Yes we have every surge protection and over current device fitted in multiple locations in the building.

On Friday one of the street light caught on fire.