Earthing and MEN system terms
A guide to Australian earthing, protective conductor and MEN wording used around protection calculators and testing records.
Terminology purpose
Protection and testing records need consistent Australian wording. Active, neutral, earth, protective conductor and MEN terms should not be mixed with imported language or used loosely in calculator notes.
This guide supports records; it does not determine the actual earthing arrangement for a site.
Record workflow
- Use Australian terms in calculator labels and notes.
- Keep conductor role separate from cable size or material.
- Record where supply, MEN or earthing context was confirmed.
- Avoid using generic grounding wording when the Australian term is clearer.
- Carry terminology consistently into loop, I2t and RCD records.
Term use table
| Term | Use in records | Boundary |
|---|---|---|
| Active | Live conductor reference in Australian terminology | Does not describe earthing |
| Neutral | Return conductor context where applicable | Not a protective conductor |
| Earth | General earthing context | Needs site-specific confirmation |
| Protective conductor | Conductor role in protection records | Role must match the calculation |
| MEN system | Australian supply/earthing term | Arrangement must be verified for the site |
Boundaries
- Do not infer the site earthing arrangement from a public guide.
- Do not mix imported grounding terms into Australian records when local wording is needed.
- Do not use conductor role labels without checking the actual record.
- Do not replace inspection, supply or authority information with a terminology page.