Paragraph 4

for paragraphs (1) to (3) there shall be substituted the following paragraphs—

“(1)

Where a consumer’s installation has or is intended to have protective multiple earthing, the supplier—

(a)

shall connect the supply neutral conductor of the associated main or the associated branch with earth only in accordance with the requirements either of paragraphs (2) and (2A) or paragraphs (3) and (3A), and with the requirements and provisions of paragraphs (4) to (6); and

(b)

shall not connect or permit the connection of or continue a supply to any part of the consumer’s installation unless he is satisfied so far as is reasonably practicable that the installation complies with the requirements of paragraphs (7) to (10), but nothing in sub-paragraph (a) shall be construed as requiring the supplier to remove any connection of the supply neutral conductor of the associated main or the associated branch with earth made prior to the connection referred to in that sub-paragraph.

(1A)

In this regulation—

• “associated main” means the distributing main to which the consumer’s installation which has or is intended to have protective multiple earthing is connected directly or by a service line;

• “associated branch” means the branch to which the consumer’s installation which has or is intended to have protective multiple earthing is connected directly or by a service line;

• “branch” means a secondary distributing main from its end furthest from the source of voltage to its junction with the principal part of the distributing main;

• “protective multiple earthing” means the use of a supply neutral conductor to connect a circuit protective conductor with earth.

(2)

Where—

(a)

the associated branch is no more than 40 metres in length; and

(b)

no more than three other consumer’s installations are connected to the associated branch, the supply neutral conductor of the associated main shall be connected with earth in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (2A).

(2A)

The connection with earth referred to in paragraph (2) shall be no nearer to the source of voltage (measured along the associated main) than the junction of that main—

(a)

with the associated branch; or

(b)

with any branch which

(i)

is no more than 40 metres in length, and

(ii)

to which no more than four consumer’s installations, at least one of which has or is intended to have protective multiple earthing, is or are connected by service lines to that branch, and which is furthest from the source of voltage.

(3)

Where—

(a)

the associated main or the associated branch is more than 40 metres in length; or

(b)

more than three other consumer’s installations are connected by service lines to the associated main or the associated branch, the supply neutral conductor of the associated main or the associated branch shall be connected with earth in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (3A).

(3A)

The connection with earth referred to in paragraph (3) shall be no nearer to the source of voltage (measured along that associated main, or associated branch and associated main) than the junction between that main or branch and

(a)

the service line of the consumer’s installation, or

(b)

if more than one consumer’s installation referred to in paragraph (3)(b) has or is intended to have protective multiple earthing, the service line of such consumer’s installation which is furthest from the source of voltage.”;

for paragraph 8(a) there shall be substituted the following sub-paragraph—

“(a)

any circuit protective conductor in a consumer’s installation to which this regulation applies shall be connected to the earthing terminal of that installation by means other than the consumer’s neutral conductor.”