A simplified description of commonly used Earthing systems

in the United Kingdom along with a basic diagram of the most

common.
Note :- Extending the PME system outside the equipotential zone
has been OMITTED from the diagrams as it is considered IMHO to
be outside the remit of a simplified description of earthing systems
and is dependent on a number of varying factors that could only be
established via a site visit and survey, and would also be
dependent on the electrician concerned being wholly conversant
with the inherent risks etc thereof and understanding the principles
of earthing systems and how they work and intermix with each
other.
TNC-S and PME
The subtle differences:
TN earthing systems in the UK are always earthed at the supply
transformer, a TN-S system utilizes a separated PE conductor
throughout its length, The TNC-S system utilizes the neutral
conductor, PEN , which is earthed at the supply transformer, and
then separated at the consumers point of supply.
A PME system, utilizes the neutral just as the TNC-S does, but is
earthed at intervals throughout its length, and more importantly, to
be fully PME, should be earthed at point of, or just before the
consumers point of supply.
PME earthing is still an ongoing upgrade to the older TNC-S
earthing system, the supply companies still have some time to
bring all TNC-S systems in line (2012).
The debate would be, if no earth electrode is supplied at the end of
the distributors cable, does it still comply with PME? To understand

this we would have to know why this last earth electrode is

important to the integrity of the true PME.
Broken neutral on TNC-S systems:
The fact is, whilst possible, this is still a rare occurrence, however
it should not be excluded, indeed the supply companies take the
possibility very seriously, otherwise why would they be converting
to PME.
In the event of a broken neutral the fault paths will have no defined
route, and will migrate to and from all users on the same system,
this can give rise to dangerous voltages on the neutral conductor.
One of the main protective conditions of this type of fault is the
correct bonding within the installation, however this is becoming
near on impossible due to the utility companies now supplying
their services with plastic pipes. There will always be a leakage to
earth, to some extent, but not enough to clear most dramatic faults
of this nature.
PME systems are designed to lower this possible fault, and to
provide at least a connection with earth, at one, or multiple points.
For this reason it is important to have an earth electrode close to,
and not shared with another installation, if designed this way, any
neutral faults will always have a path to earth, and whilst the fault
can still be shared, the voltages on the neutral will not be allowed
to rise as high ,with multiple earth electrodes at each installation
point.
Using PME to extend the equipotential zone.:

It is possible to extend the equipotential zone of a true PME system,

with correct design, and can sometimes be confused for a TT
system. Remember PME stands for Protective Multiple Earthing.
The neutral conductor is still connected throughout the system,
however earth electrodes could be introduced a various points
within the installation, and connected to the main earthing terminal
at origin, or separated to provide protection in those circuits,
providing multiple points of reference to earth. This type of
arrangement must be fully compliant with all regulations, and the
earthing within the installation should be verified to ensure
continuity throughout.