gdhm

I just bought power strip. I wanted a 6 socket individually switched strip, but could only find a 5 socket surge protected job. Don't want or need the surge protector, but TIT.
Anyway, like the OP, mine has a red and green light. Currently only the red light shines brightly when plugged in, but on reading the instructions, they are so confusing ( made in China and obviously written by someone NOT fluent in English ) I have no idea as to whether the red light means there is or is not a good earth, or if it should be green only. The only thing I can be sure of is that if both red and green shine together it isn't safe to use the strip, though it doesn't say what to do in that event.

thaibeachlovers, on 2012-03-06 18:46:06, said:

It will indeed work, but he will be limited to 50A, 1/2 of his available supply.

As noted by Litlos, Safe-T-Cut do in fact make a 100A version.

It doesn't look like you have MEN, do NOT that's NOT install it unless you KNOW your area is wired for it.

What size meter do you have, it will be marked 5/15, 15/45 or 30/100? Your Safe-T-Cut should be respectively 20A, 50A, 100A (or the nearest they do) one of the Super-Plus range is what you need. I hope you have at least a 15/45.

I would not have accepted that installation, in fact I would have physically ejected the sparks from the site. Taped joints (every one a potential fire) and inconsistent colour codes are a start, I would also be suspect of the cable sizes being used although it's difficult to tell actual sizes and breaker ratings from the images.

A Safe-T-Cut is a local brand of RCD. Your local sparks will know what a Safe-T-Cut is rather than trying RCD or RCBO, it goes on the load side of the meter. It's rating is determined by the meter type you have, they're usually 50A for a 15/45 meter.

With TT an RCD is VITAL and even with a MEN connection it provides a useful increase in your safety.

A ground rod alone is unlikely to have a low enough resistance to open an MCB in the event of a L-E fault and will provide zero protection from direct contact with a live wire. An RCD will do both.

Have a read of this document http://www.beama.org...7188608E386D98D

Sounds a bit like the 7 volts on the neutral is causing the LED to show something.  I tried to find a circuit diagram for the Toshino board, but no joy.  I did find a photo with the cover off and there is a MOV (Metal Oxide Varistor) inside by the looks for surge protection.  These things degrade as they get older and leak a bit of current which may well explain the difference between the new and the old.  Also remember the testing by inserting into a non earthed socket is the extreme case ,a little bit of a glow indicates a little bit of a problem with the earth or possibly the neutral.

Thanks for your investigations Litlos -very kind of you to bother.

Matter of interest is the PEA transformer near by?  Go and have a look at the condition of the earth stake.  If yours is dry, I bet that one is as well.  May be take some liquid up there to wet that down as well.  The locals will think you are crazy, but all in the name of science.  A couple of litres should do it.  The effect should be that the voltage on the neutral goes down near zero.  Remember it is not just you on the system.  Everyone on the downstream of the transformer is sharing the system.

I firmly believe the nearest PEA transformer is maybe several 100 metres away.  

Ground Stakes.  Well I know the our pylon and the 2 either side have no Earth stake and I would not be surprised if few (if any) do have in our small soi.  In other sois near us I recall ground straps seemed to be on APPROX every other or third Pylon or so  .  I would have to check to be more precise

However all being equal it is as Crossy said, really a small problem.  The main thing is as long as your earth leakage protection is working when tested you are pretty safe.  Clean up the connection to the earth rod as mentioned before and put a plant that needs watering close by to ensure the ground near the earth rod stays damp.  THAT'S A VERY GOOD IDEA  Should be fine.

When I take Crossy's advice in day or so and put a plastic pipe around the upper clamped part of the ground rod and painting it with acrylic paint (or would caking silicone sealant be even better)   Is it OK to fill the inside with sand to ensure no soil can rise from below when Monsoon rains saturate our garden. I know we have a high water table coz its a real pain with our septic tank run off vertical concrete cylinders.

Thanks, Dave

Cheers