Phil Allison wrote:

The MEN system:

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.

Actually, the Neutral conductors are *NOT* connected to the plumbing
system. The Neutral conductor is connected by the MEN link to the main
earthing conductor, which is connected to the appropriate earth
electrode. AS/NZS 3000 then requires that conductive pipe work be
equipotentially bonded to the main earth conductor or earth terminal or
bar (NOT to the neutral).

David