Grounding and probe

[cropwell]

If Neutral is connected to Earth, there should be no current flowing to cause a Live-Neutral imbalance. However, when I accidentally shorted a light fitting neutral to earth With the light switched off, the whole house was sent into darkness. I have a very good local earth strapped to a copper water feed pipe. This leads me to assume that, although the phase neutral may be earthed at the substation, there is enough of an induced voltage in the supply line on its' journey to my house to cause a RCCB trip if earth is connected to neutral.

My point is that, UK has regulations in place to try to ensure electrical safety and recently built or rewired houses should be relatively OK, but older premises and different supply and use regs in other countries may pose a greater risk.

Rob-T