Ground Outlet Check

hi Dear Guest,

With a Voltmeter. The voltage between the phase conductor and ground should be the same or close to the voltage between phase conductor and neutral conductor. And the voltage between the neutral conductor and ground should always be zero.

I hope this helps!!

Quite correct, just one addition. Do not use the ohm meter feature with a live power outlet. A few of the very poorly designed ones can be damaged by the power coming out of the outlet and with the currents possible and data you get from using the ohm meter setting maybe useless.

<...the voltage between the neutral conductor and ground should always be zero....>

The voltage on the neutral conductor will always be a function of the imbalance currents flowing in it between the distribution transformer and all the single-phase loads in the district, the distance between the user and the nearest ground/earth rod, and the method of grounding/earthing applied to the system. Earthing/grounding methods are fully described in an article in Wikipedia.

If the user measures 0V between neutral and earth, it might be an indication that one of these two conductors is open-circuit!

A better test is to measure ohms between the ground/earth pin of the outlet/socket and the ground/earth bar at the local distribution box. It needs to be of the same order-of-magnitude as that of the conductor linking the neutral pin to the neutral bar.

The best test is to apply a ground/earth loop testing device to the outlet/socket, measure and record.

Plug-in outlet/socket testers are available in the UK at most hardware superstores. They indicate quickly and reliably whether the outlet/socket is correctly installed through the 3-indicator display on the front of them.

Part P of the Building Regulations in the UK requires a test certificate to be raised by a suitably-qualified person for certain prescribed parts of installations and a copy to be handed to the user on completion of the testing. That person will have access to suitable test equipment needed to complete the certificate. Examples of work needing a certificate are given in the latest guidance on Part P, available via Google (other search engines are available). The reason for Part P is to raise the standard of installations above that carried out by bodgers, and to reduce the incidence of faults and fires caused by under-standard lash-ups that this sort of individual can carry out. Part P does not prevent the amateur from carrying out work as the installation can be inspected and tested upon completion. Absence of an electrical test certificate for parts or for all of an installation can be a hindrance when attempting to conveyance a building to a new owner, which may be reflected in a lower value for the transaction.

If in doubt, consult a qualified electrician.

"If the user measures 0V between neutral and earth, it might be an indication that one of these two conductors is open-circuit!"

I said a voltmeter to measure the voltage, not Ohmmeter to do the continuity test!!!

awaiting........

in a LV system the neutral to ground resistance should not be more than 1 K ohm u can sheck it by switchin off supplies with a meggar or ohm meter

In the case of an IT system, it could be several megohms! The article in Wikipedia explains all.