To : TECH@WW

By G8MNY (Updated Apr 23)
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Z VALUES
To quickly blow a 13A fuse, a current > 26A must flow. So @ 220V that needs a total loop resistance < 9R. However with high current main ring circuits of 30A to blow a ring fuse quickly needs a current > 60A, which needs loop resistance < 3ê. These are much lower values than you can easily get with external earths.

AC TESTING A TOWER EARTH SYSTEM (Mains with No ELCB/RCDs only!)
I once tested a large unused radio tower & earth system with a simple if dangerous electric kettle test (no kit on tower!). I was horrified to find it w originally about 14ê!

Note do not attempt this method if there are ELCB trips.

Test
LÄo\ÄÄÄÂÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
³ ³ This high current & voltage test overcomes some
2kW AC Volt of the errors of low current & voltage testing EÄÄÄ´Kettle meter due to corrosion etc. As direct mains is involved
³ ³ some basic safety needs to be considered. And if
ÃÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ you have just filled the kettle are U wet!
/
NÄÄÄÄo/ oÄÄTest Earth (Z)

CALCULATIONS
Assuming the mains is good!

Vm - Vt
Unknown Z = ------- x R
Vt

Where Vm is On load mains voltage across the kettle.
Vt is voltage across the kettle with test Earth.
R is Resistance of Kettle (e.g. 24ê)


MEASUREMENTS from old GB3HV mast..
Z CALCULATION
Live to Neutral 240V on load 0 R reference

240-150
Mast to live 150v. Rm = ------- x 24 = 14.4 R
150

240-169
New Stake to live 169v. Rs = ------- x 24 = 9.9 R
169

4.95 x 14.4
Theoretical total with 2 earth stakes Rt ----------- = 3.7 R
4.95 + 14.4

Mains Earth tested at 0 R.


P.M.E.
With UK's Permanent Multiple Earthing system on modern housing, a mast or outside earth can be considered "dangerous". This is because there is no safety earth provided, just "neutral" called earth in the house, so all appliances you can touch are at this potential so you are safe (?). This is a cost cutting scheme introduced by the electric supply companies & they effectively deemed it safe!

Substation Supply Shack
L-----------------LÄÄÄÄLÄÄÄ DC ÚÄÄÄ Ant
NÂ----------------NÄÂÄÄNÄÄÄ PSU :::::::RIG
_|_ ÀÄÄEÄÄÄ etc Ù ÀÄÄ¿ RF Earth
Substation _³_Outside
Earth

Now suppose the Neutral is not at ground, say 100V off ground due to unbalanced load 3 phase loads, or someone is blowing a fuse. The 100V now sees your path to earth as an alternate route to the substation. How many amps can your rig take from aerial to PSU & PSU mains lead? 500A? None of this is fused all can just burn out/catch fire!

Solutions.
1/ Connect a heavy 100A lead between the external earth & the mains earth
point, this may save your kit, but ensure the RF earth is now noisy!
2/ Fuse the external earth. This will protect your kit, but if it blows will
you know?
3/ Use an isolation transformer to feed the sack. This overcomes many of the
problems, but it does introduce non earthed safety issues.
4/ Ask your supplier to provide a suitable proper earth system.


See my bul on "Constant Voltage Transformers", "Edgcume Peebles Earth Loop Z", "Maplin Mains Meter 2000MU-UK", & also "Mains Power Protection".


Why don't U send an interesting bul?

73 de John G8MNY @ GB7CIP

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