Paul,
Quote
Is it any wonder that that earthing is so misunderstood when misinformation like this is perpetuated so often?
This morning (Sunday) at 10am I was responded to a house with a local Electrical Inspector, via a call from the St Johns Ambulance.
What had happened was the H/O had cut the Main Earthing lead to his house while doing some gardening.
Brian (the Inspector) and I re-joined the Earth wire and were met by a series of sparks.
Once joined, we read a current of 29A.
Upon investigation, it was found that the Earth Potential Neutral that fed the house (Over-head Reticulation) had broken some time ago and the Earthing system was carrying the Neutral current.
Oddly enough, there was, not far from where the wire was cut, the label that all of our MEN wires carry, it said this:
  • Earthing Conductor: Do Not Disconnect!!

The guy died at the scene, after having cut the wire with a set of un-insulated end-pincers. [Linked Image]