David006

As Crossy states in his post, the PME system was introduced in the UK in 1974. It was to suppliment the existing TN-S system for underground LV distribution. Aerial LV distribution in the UK is TT. With the PME the bond is not at the main switchboard and the conductors from the supply authority are TN-S, The L,N, and E are separate.

Australia and in NZ the MEN system is mandatory. The MEN system has the advantage of the fault curent returning through the main neutral to the transformer and thus has a fast fault clearance time. Fault currents are high. It has the advantage over the TT system in this regard where the earth fault current flows to earth by way of the main earth. It is a low fault current system. Fault current on the TT system may not be sufficient to operate a protective device within the required clearance times, 0.4secs. RCDs must be used.

It Is essential that polarity tests are carried out before connection to supply.

The main earth and electrode maintain the voltage to earth in the event of a broken neutral to less than 50VAC. The distribution neutral is earthed at regular intervals along the to maintain the voltage between the neutral and earth to 0 volts.

In the US it is known as the grounded neutral. AS/NZ and US bond the neutral at the switchboard.

After the MEN bond at a switchboard the wiring is TN-S, the L.N.and E are separate wires.

SWER systems are supplied from 2 phases of an HV through a transformer giving an isolated single phase supply, one side is connected to earth electrodes and the transformer tank and the other is run to individual transformers and are earthed.

The LV may be 3 wire single phase or 2 wire single phase. They are limited to about 10kVA per installation and are used to supply farms in rural areas.

whew!!

MEN (a variant of TN-C-S) saves on cable costs over TN-S whilst giving all the advantages of a low impedance path for L-E faults. Look here for details of the various earthing systems http://en.wikipedia....Earthing_system .

The hazard of an open neutral is one of the reasons MEN (we call it PME) was not introduced in the UK until relatively recently. Even so it was only last year that a row of cottages blew up due to an open neutral (return current flowed via the gas pipe bonding with predictable results).

Having a LOT of earthing points on the neutral does mitigate this issue somewhat but you are correct, there is a possibility that your ground stake could start carrying significant currents, that's why it needs to be a nice fat wire.

TN-C where there is no earth (metalwork is connected to the neutral) is not used inside buildings, the main reason being that all the metalwork becomes live in the event of a polarity reversal.

SWER (Single Wire Earth Return) is still used in many parts of the world, it is only effective for the high voltage distribution system where the currents are relatively small and the volt drop across the return path is insignificant. So you can run a single 25kV feed to your transformer and save 50% of the cable cost if you have a long run from the main transmission lines, the LV side is still two (3) wires.

Thanks Crossy....good stuff..

It's a wonder why a neutral is fed into a residence at all? Have often thought I could have saved a few bob by using a single live conductor for my 1km feed and a big fat earth at my end. Or atleast used open wire ( is it steel or aluminum??) as per network pole neutrals...

I was also thinking that if Mr Somchai down the road has a live to earth leaky appliance does that not potentially feed back onto the ( my earth) network neutral and raise it (dangerously?) above earth. Would that fire my GFI?

No wonder the Thais say we think too much.....

Just my musings with my Chang numbed brain perhaps:

What is the point/advantage of a MEN system?

Seems to me that if you put the PEA neutral ( and all your outlet earths?) at the same potential of a super dooper ground system it negates the logic for the latter...one may as well not worry about adding an earth at all just use the neutral and GFI....?

If for any reason the PEA neutral goes open will your ground not become the local neutral /return for everyone on the same transformer?

.....just asking our bright sparks..lol

Think I read someplace that NZ used to have a system without neutral returns ie single conductor network ....like an old WW field telephone?

Phuket:

Meter get read (piep, piep, piep) , bill get printed and delivered (one person, one job), 10 secs after!

1 week time, to pay at 7/11.

After you need to go to town, to join the queue.

No problems at all

Yup, same for us in Pathum, we have a little box under the meter (provided by PEA) for the bill, keeps it dry.

Don't know what's happening with bills down here...used to arrive 28th of month or so ...now about 15th of of following month..we now drop in and pay without the bill and yes they pull it up on the computer.

Now I finally know what those little boxes full of bugs are for? Never gave us one.!........sulk....

Just learned last week from the smart arse step daughter that you can pay your bill at 7-Eleven! Good.... they keep better hours.....

Ok, I am having troubles putting a Thai spin on this, but in 2 and a half hours there will be an amazing jump form 120,000 feet in an attempt to be ...

How about with starting with using the metric system, using figures in meter and kilometer when talking about length and distances.

Then have you at least a little international spin. Imperial units aren't really used in Thailand. ;-)

5555 pedantic sod...do you similarly advise airline pilots ??? " ........we are now flying at 9150 metres....."...lol

Op ...OK.... we are in self imposed exile I suppose..thanks for keeping us in touch with the world.......

just reading on here..quite something:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121014170655.htm

Googled ...found this !

H3 Digital

19/7 Moo7 Srisoontorn Rd

Thalang

Phuket 83110

Thailand

Tel.: +66-76-620 116

Mobile: +66-86-266 2786

Website: http://www.h3-digital.com

Ok there is massive storm here at the moment: ...unplugged all my electronic goodies including my laptop ..big bang ! some place in the house..think we got hit..anyways can't find anything fried or burning smells.......seems to me a battery laptop just may be a good idea here?

Seven or so years ago had 1km of poles installed by the 1st wanke_r of a builder..pretty good job at 130kbt..35 poles..forget cable dia??... all set in concrete at my request... had to monitor the whole op as they would have used pink string and bailing wire I think if I was not standing over them.

PEA installed a new pole and meter on our side of the track they call a road without charge when house finished...initially paid 8000bt? for temp meter and got 7500? refunded.

Had to do the hookup to domestic side of meter myself ( scary) as PEA would not do it at any price..strange?

Installed a 50a breaker in a box on last pole at the house end of run....service is 30a ?..would not give me better..lights dim a bit when shower heater on but what the hell.... TIT

Really think that if I coulda found 'em would have had gas lights....lol

Still looking for some nice antique brass oil lamps for all the fricking outages...one day!!!

For all the electronics..... which we cannot do without!? Thinking of a deep cycle truck battery or few,charger and a big mother wattage inverter

Never had a daughter as far as I know...... but I would think about the nick names derived?.... from Thai girls names:

eg: PONG

PUT ( sounds like But)

etc

If I'd ever had a daughter would have named her Lara (Doctor Zhivago)..sort of romantic name and sounds a bit oriental too maybe?

The snails I have come across are fairly harmless. It is the slugs you should be concerned with.

My chickens have developed the taste for slugs and snails. Toads are also natural predators to the slimy critters (have a few of them hopping around the garden as well).

hmm mm..snails, along with bloody grass hoppers,flying insects,caterpillars etc etc eat everything don't they.....

...my dad used to use solid fuel tablets ( Metatabs?) under a flower pot. Read someplace that beer attracts and dehydrates them...have loads of frogs/ toads here but still have snails....like many things here in Thailand it is suck it and see...me I have given up to some degree and share with the bugs......wish they would not eat the orchid buds though....

....right now plagued with tiny ticks on walls in door frames etc.just using a broom and feed 'em to the fish............once more unto the breach...lol

The best tourism market slogan I ever saw was that from the Australian Northern Territory:

"You'll Never Never Know If You Never Never Go"

As a tourist marketing tool the BKK motto? should maybe be in a form that translates to the target markets?

On par with some Thai language tourist information ?

Wonder why these are in English?:...lol

http://businesstips.ph/list-of-tourism-slogans-of-countries-around-the-world/

I would prefer the forum is used for worthwhile, constructive and informative articles and responses

It is very annoying reading through trolls and stupid moron's replies.

I feel it is childish to try and wind people up especial;ly when you don't know them.

However I have to accept there are those who use this forum as light entertainment who seem to have a very low IQ and have no intention of trying to help another forum member but just take the p**s.

I think its great that members of Mensa such as your goodself find time to discuss these sorts of things with us plebs on TV and give us your wisdom oh great one...

Employed a Mensa with engineering wallpaper coming out his ying yang...whilst he was quite witty and intelligent his interpersonal and sales skills/achievement failed to come up to scratch....sadly,him being a good friend, had to let him go.

I find TV both entertaining and informative, like many, if I am having/had a bad day I tend to write rubbish and let it get to me..bloody stupid as it is.....Think I still hold grudges against some executives from my other life..also stupid...human nature I suppose.

Yes the "I am a tertiary educated, extremely intelligent, knowledgeable ,financially secure, I only ever buy the best, colonial wannabe, superior westerner " posts just make me giggle....being a bit of a savage it IS sometimes fun to flame them though...suspect it maybe goes over their head for the most part...lol.

Of course as we are all guilty of blowing our own trumpets to some degree at one time or another thus we become moths to the "flame"......makes public forums what they are methinks.

100% of everything except rent/mortgage and cellphone minutes

There is not an item cheaper than comparable quality in canada.

You must live in a different Canada mate

Gasoline

Fruit,Vegetables.meat,fish,rice etc

Warm weather clothing

Ladies clothing

Medicine ( Generic paracetamol is about 30 baht for 100..Canada ( e.g. Shoppers Drug Mart) about 10 bucks?.

Utilities

Some Appliances

Telephones+calling rates

beer, cigarettes

taxis,bus fares

etc etc are far less expensive in Thailand

Agreed many imported items and western styled products and services are more expensive ( based on target market methinks) ...you pays your money and takes your choice.

Oh! how I long for a Dairy Queen burger and fries and a large coffee....

Things like imported wine and liquor are more expensive but 2-500 baht premium is not a deal breaker depending on your lifestyle..less than a day's parking in downtown Vancouver or Melbourne...lol

Rent, the 6,000 baht variety, not the 20-30,000 baht falang type.

Lunch, the 30 to 40 baht variety, not the 400 baht falang type.

Market food, the ta-lat government controlled variety, not the Tops falang type ie: dried fruit at Tops 40 baht for 100 grams; ta-lat 100 baht for 500 grams. Boneless pork at Tops 220 baht per kilo; ta-lat 130 baht per kilo. Etc. (learn some Thai and negotiate ra-kha)

Local transportation: Songthaew 20 baht anywhere (in CM), one subway token in Toronto $3.00 (900 baht!)

You want to live like a farang in Thailand - they'll be happy to take your money. You want to live like a Thai in Thailand, it becomes one of the cheapest places in the world to live. I live well here on a crappy Canadian pension, I wouldn't even be able to pay rent on a 2 room apartment in Toronto let alone eat.

5555....Alors c'est vrai.....moi aussi.. ........Toronto .....quite nice in summer but would never want to live there even IF I could afford it.

I find we can live/eat sort of like a westerner on the above pensions and the wife's labours plus home growns....lol ..

.....ever seen the price of mangosteens,kaffir lime leafs (dried) or mangoes etc in China town Toronto Or Vancouver???? ...

Thai restaurant ( Vancouver) chicken curry (terrible) or Pad Thai ( equally terrible)....12+ fricking dollars!!!! SIL in law in Germany has the wife sending Thai makings care packages by sea mail......lol

Probably many have heard the old joke:

What do you get when you cross a negro with an oriental.....?

A car thief that can't drive....

much funnier when not PC'ed...lol

I think the worst city with respect to driving with only breaks and horns is Mexico City. The cops there actually have to climb the traffic signal

poles just to keep being hit.

Breaks and Horns; mostly horns though

555... probably to see over the smoke from the buses too....one thing I noticed on the highway between Mexico and Acapulco was the high link fencing on both sides of the highway through villages etc...would be a bloody good idea here for villages, markets,schools etc etc.

Wife just told me about an out of control 10 wheel truck plowing through one of those wake/parties that often encroach on half the road or even a major highway.

Lots of places in the world where driving is atrocious but it is accepted and most drive assuming or knowing the other guy will do something stupid ie very defensive driving by default. Something most of us do here methinks.

The difference here seems to be the total lack of awareness and initiative as regards cause and effect....a driving in a bubble not my problem attitude.

Sadly even extensive effective driver training may not remedy this methinks.Although it may just help the ability to steer...lol

Asked the wife once... what was the meaning of all those types of yellow lines down the middle of the road...

The SIL has just got her license sans tea money....asked me what I was doing when I adjusted the outside mirrors. She had one of those cosmetic roo bars installed..( and of course 6 nodding flowers on the dash and hello kitty wheel cover) I asked why.I "so I not break headlights when I have accident" .....WHEN!?

Can't remember which country but having been done for driving infractions a few times too many times I was required to retake the mandatory defensive driving course. I was always getting done for speeding in my little green GPO Morris Minor van in the UK so maybe it was there?

55555......point of view and opinion is what public forums and use internet data bases are about mate, whether you have never left your bedsit in Clapham or live in the middle of an Asian jungle.

Traveling is an education of course .. unfortunately, for various reasons, not always an option for many ....so armchair travel , discussion on the internet and reading is a great alternative.

Also a great incentive to go and do it!?

I am still waiting for time travel ....what an eduction that would be.....

555.... buy a boat........mobile island

I am in OZ and fitted my own "Bum Gun" {love that name}/ Dead easy. Cannot understand why people insist on smearing mushed up old trees across their arse and thinking they have cleaned it .....Bum Gun is Luxury!!!!!

lol

can you give me some advice as to how?

Easy Peasy. Get a T junction and fit if to the cistern inlet at the base of the cistern feeding water to both the cistern and the Bum Gun. It is done . Water presure can then be moderated if a problem by reducing the flow at the tap on the cistern feed ..... the cistern will refill a bit slower but this is no problem . Good Luck and plesant squirting .

Don't know if available everywhere or if Thai threads are the same ....but here I used T junctions with an inbuilt tap ( a tap in water supplies to sinks,toilets etc are not the norm here). As you say... used it to limit pressure to stop unwanted colon irrigation.

Thank you all for your useful suggestions and tips!

I used the orange tubing with double hose clamps at each end...had one problem of it being eaten by rats somehow in the downstairs ceiling....installed a ss joiner tube..seems okay.

Being somewhat paranoid ...also installed an inverted plastic shower drain in the downstairs gyproc ceiling (open to the air) right below a 10cm drain hole on the concrete floor under the hob.

Where is, how come,why do,don't,does,did: I ,thou, he, she, we, you, they, it......etc

No brigades, pissing contests, seemingly dumb questions, know it alls, obviously superior beings and whiners??...... a very boring TV methinks and so does wifey......

interesting question....

Expected to last?

Well I would think that if the Edistone lighthouse is anything to go by which used older formula concrete,would think most concrete structures will still be here long after the last episode of Coronation Street.( Google tells us that EL outlasted the rock foundation...seems John Smeaton invented underwater curing concrete in mid 18th century.......the Roman Pantheon made of older formula concrete is still there too...)

Don't think that specifically knocking Thai construction standards/quality is that relevant , shoddy construction standards, poorly formulated concrete and adverse environment anyplace will surely affect the life of any structure?

Interesting history/timeline of concrete:

http://matse1.matse.illinois.edu/concrete/hist.html

for political asylum and to get screwed more frequently......so far so good....I have yet to be disappointed

The Gates Saga Part II

The boys arrived bright and early (10:30) to finish the job of hanging the gates.

Pretty much the same as yesterday, they did however put some washers on (but no split washers).

They then set about trying to sort why the first gate would not open properly.

The left hand gate still does not open freely, Wifey says they 'forgot' to oil the hinges and will do today.

It's obvious when you move the gate that there is a slight mis-alignment of one hinge. An easy fix, slacken the nuts on the centre hinge, move the gate around to align and then tighten the nuts. Easy that is until you see that some <deleted> has welded up the nuts to 'stop them coming loose', if they had used the supplied plain and split washers the nuts would not come loose anyway.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Finally the completed job, don't actually look too bad.

Until you get up close.

Overall I am extremely disappointed with the installation, the gates themselves are OK (not wonderful).

Such is life in Thailand, I know that when I moan, if I'm not totally ignored as a picky farang, the 'repair' will look worse than the original job. Is there any point complaining I wonder?

Part III "The electric opener chap is coming today" to follow.

555555 sorry had to laugh mate....it so fricking frustrating isn't it....wonder we stay sane...or maybe we don't?

Just contemplating replacing the temp ( 3 years..lol) bamboo veranda rails with mild steel but I am so afraid I will kill somebody when they come to fit. Fully expect mega f ups and find 'em sleeping on our bed or something..think will buy a welder and some steel myself since I have nothing better to do...need to learn how to weld also and get some designer sunglasses..

BTW great house..many happies....