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[Talby]

Hello,

I have just replaced my washing machine and while removing the old one I had to get under the kitchen cabinets and I found that there was a length of core grey cable with the end half inch stripped and exposed just lying there. I assumed it was on old piece of unused cable but I checked it with one of those pen detectors and it is live.

 

[Jurassicspark]

Trace the wire and see where it comes from.

 

[Talby]

It leads off behind the kitchen cabinets. There is no way I could get to the source without tearing out the kitchen.

 

[pcaouolte]

I checked it with one of those pen detectors and it is live.

Not the most reliable way of finding out that a cable is live.

Do you have any other electrical test equipment? A multimeter perhaps, and know how to use it?

 

[sparkwright]

If in doubt, turn off the power, check, fit an enclosed junction box of some kind onto it - at least until you can check it out properly.

 

[opps]

It might be the case that it is a spur from an accessible socket. If so, when you loosen the face plates, you may see three sets of cables. One of those cables might be the errant one. You can then disconnect it. You will however, at a minimum, need a multimeter.

I am not an electrician, but I do use volt pens. They will give false positives (via induction)- but to date I have never has a false negative... yet

 

[Talby]

In reply to several of the response above.

It does look as if the cable could lead to a socket above the worktop, it certainly goes in that direction as far as Ican see. Also, their is a another cable under the unit that looks like it comes from the same location that is connected to a socket inside the cupboard.

I don't have a multimeter nor know how to use one.

If I were to fit an enclosed junction box what would I be looking to get?

If this is seen as a temporary measure I'm more than happy to get an expert to look at this if that is the advice.

Thanks everyone

 

[flameport]

If I were to fit an enclosed junction box what would I be looking to get?

Almost any box and connectors would do, however one of these: https://www.screwfix.com/p/debox-32a-junction-box-35-x-47-x-107mm-white/970gv has everything required including cable grips.