On 2009-11-24, Sylvia Else wrote:
Phil Allison wrote:
In Australia, AC power delivery uses a system called " Multiple Earth
Neutral " - which requires that the neutral conductors in a premises be
connected to the plumbing system at the distribution board (ie power box).
It also requires that an earth stake be installed for the same purpose, but
some older premises may not have this.

If as you say, neutral has to be tied to Earth at the premises, then I
can indeed see that the situation might not be so bad.

On the face of it, having significant current flowing from neutral to
Earth would have to indicate a fault. It would be nice for the breakers
to trip in such a situation, but I can't see that they will.

Having the breakers trip because a faulty neutral in an neighbours
house (which would cause his neutral current to flow through his earth and
your earth (etc) to the common neutral) could be an annoyance.

bye.