The recommendations in the SAGE Second Interim Assessment are from one of the following:

"Should"

• existing best practice which should continue with a recognition that EMFs are an extra reason for doing them
• new measures that should be introduced

"Could"

• further investigation needed before a recommendation is made
• "consumer choice": not recommended generally but available if an interested party does not mind bearing the cost

"Don't"

• because the option is not effective
• because the cost would be disproportionate
• because there would be adverse safety consequences

SAGE groups the options by the different parts of the distribution system and we list the recommendations here:

Options relating to net currents in distribution circuits

more on what net currents are and how they arise

Should (reinforce and endorse existing practice):

• DNOs make reasonably practicable efforts to balance loads on three-phase final distribution circuits
• DNOs assist customers with three-phase supplies to balance loads to the extent reasonably practicable
• DNOs investigate and repair broken neutrals
• Disconnect redundant cables
• Use plastic gas and water pipes for new build
• Insert plastic sections in metal gas and water pipes when work is being done anyway

Could (consumer choice)

• Consumer chooses to use TT system (local earth)
• Retrofit plastic sections in existing gas and water pipes where work is not otherwise being done

Could (further investigation needed)

• Replace some or all neutral links with inductive links
• Routine measurememts to identify broken neutrals
• Inductors on service cables

Don't

• Improve balance of loads where this involves remaking joints
• Legally require balanced loads
• Abandon protective multiple earthing for new build
• Abandon protective multiple earthing for existing networks
• Alter pme regulations to require fewer earths
• Remove some or all neutral links in link boxes
• Remove bonds from lightning conductors to electrical earths
• Change regulations to stop steelwork bonds
• Larger neutral conductors

Options relating to wiring in multi-occupancy buildings

Should (reinforce and endorse existing practice)

• Site plant rooms away from occupied areas (new build)
• Risers to use SNE cables (new build)
• Risers to use compact design

Could (available as consumer choice)

• Site plant rooms away from occupied areas (retrofit)
• Risers to use SNE cables (retrofit)
• Risers to use compact design (retrofit)
• Screen the fields

Options relating to intermediate voltage circuits

Should (new measure)

• Heavily loaded double-circuit intermediate-voltage lines to have optimal phasing and balanced loads to the extent reasonably practicable

Could (further investigation needed)

• Restrictions on routing new heavily loaded intermediate-voltage lines close to homes, schools and other public places

Options relating to final distribution substations

more on substations and the fields they produce

Should (endorse and reinforce existing practice)

• Comply with relevant exposure limits
• Reasonably practicable efforts to site substations distant from homes etc
• New substations to have compact design where reasonably practicable
• Use compact designs for refurbishment where reasonably practicable

Should (new measure)

• Arrange components in the substation in the lowest-exposure layout reasonably practicable if compact design not possible
• DNOs to consider instances of substations producing elevated exposures when requested and offer options for reducing the exposures at the consumer's choice and cost
• DNOs to record instances of substations producing particularly high exposures so that EMF issues can be factored in to future investment and maintenance decisions for that substation

Could (consumer's choice)

• Relocate the substation
• Retrofit whole substation with compact design
• Retrofit LV Board with compact design
• Bundle the cables between substation and LV Board to produce more compact design
• Screen the fields

Could (further investigation needed)

• Possible limits on fields produced in homes etc by new substations

Don't

• Substation perimeter fence to include larger area
• Univeral retrofit of field reduction measures

Options relating to Training and Response

Should (new measure)

• Information for the public
• DNOs to investigate EMF issues when notified of them
• Develop awareness within DNOs, by training of relevant staff, of how elevated exposures can be an indication of system problems