Electrical - Removing the Company Fuse

[Cursitor Doom]

Sorry, what "cut out" would this be? Also, whereabouts is the earth rod normally situated? In the vicinity of the meter box or elsewhere? I think it said somewhere in the wiki article that with TT systems the power co isn't obliged to provide an earth at the installation and that is the customer's responsibility to ensure and maintain.

[John Rumm]

Another term for the supply cable head end with the main fuse in it - the bit on the bottom right of your original photo.

If you compare yours to the photos here:

You might be able tow work out what earthing arrangement you have.

Outside :-)

Follow wires from the main earth terminal in the CU - one should go to the main earth - be it a TN one, or to your earth rod. (note is is possible to have both a TN earth from the supplier and an earth rod)

It would usually be close - but somewhere a spike could be hammered in. The top of the rod and the electrical connection to it should be protected with a terminal cover - however this is often not present:

Sometimes the wire is just fixed with a clamp to the top of the rod:

with no additional protection.

Yup, generally power companies will supply an earth if they can, but in some cases (typically with overhead supplies that have not been upgraded to support PME), they can't and then it is up to the consumer to make and maintain their own arrangement.

[Cursitor Doom]

Thank you once again for your invariably clear explanations, John. If on the off-chance I'm still unable to figure it out, I'll call the power co again next week and see if they can tell me from their records. I'll take a closer look at it this afternoon anyway.