Rewire - cables snapping?

[Moobug]

There was no heating in the house at the time, but the temps didn't drop to below freezing until night-time. Could be a thought, though.

Any idea how much we'd be looking at to get the wires replaced? All the sockets, switches, CU, chases+conduit are all in place, and it's connected to the grid. It's a three-bed semi.

 

[sparkiemike]

If the cores are really broken inside the cable the cable will need to be replaced - which means you are in for a re-re-wire. Do you really want faulty cable in your home?

If your family friend used conduit for the cable drops you might not have to chop all the old cable out and re-plaster and decorate, but it is probably going to be a messy process.

You really need to find out what that problem is, because your description is not technical enough for any of us the make a proper assessment of what went wrong.

Once you know what the problem is you/your electrician will be able...
1. To determine how to fix it
2. You might be able to make a claim if you have faulty cable - at the very least get your money back for all the copper, you will need proof of purchase?

PS. Did your qualified family friend carry out the testing and issue you with your electrical certificate? And have building control been notified under part P?

 

[Lower]

If it is a result of faulty cable, then the manufacturer should pay for the replacement cable, the labour to replace it and any making good required.

I'm sure they'd pay for the replacement cable, but i'm sure their T&C's will prevent you from charging them for the consequential losses of ripping out the faulty stuff and making good after replacement.

 

[sparkwright]

You say the neutral cores are snapping. Is it the lighting cables or socket cables or what exactly?

And just to confirm what someone else asked, is it snapping midway down the cable, or where the terminal screws of the accessory are tightened?

You say in the original post one batch of the cable was snapping as he was putting it in. What exactly does this mean, and why did he carry on using it?

 

[Moobug]

He noticed it twice during the whole process and he assumed he had been a touch heavy-handed while stripping it, so he took extra care after that point and had no problems himself. We're noticing the snapped cables in the back-boxes - it's surfaced three times since the job was finished - in two sockets and one light switch.

Hope this makes sense - I appreciate that without seeing the work it's difficult to give advice.

EDIT: We've got a local electrician coming in this week - thanks for the advice, everyone. It gives me a better idea of what we might be working with or what we can expect, even if my own inexperience isn;t helping matters!

 

[sparkiemike]

He noticed it twice during the whole process and he assumed he had been a touch heavy-handed while stripping it, so he took extra care after that point and had no problems himself. We're noticing the snapped cables in the back-boxes - it's surfaced three times since the job was finished - in two sockets and one light switch.

Post some close up pictures next time

The circuit was tested on completion with no faults and we were going to have it certified by another electrician (our guy is qualified to install but sub-contracts for the official bit) but between the job being done and the second electrician coming in, these issues surfaced.

It does not work like that. You can only ceritify your own work, unless the person signing the work has inspected the work through the whole installation process.

We were also informed by two local electricians that if you're doing your own or a relative's house unpaid, certification is not necessary... but we wanted to be on the safe side.

Again it does not work like that, certification (and building control notification) is always required on big jobs like rewires, new circuits, replacement consumer units etc etc

It sounds like you need the help of a professional electrician. Perhaps you should get some quotes for an inspection and test.

EDIT: Just seen your edit, good luck

 

[Moobug]

Shall do. Thank you very much.

 

[sparkwright]

So it's the cable ends.

Can this be a case of overtightening, bad stripping, or not doubling ends over in large terminals? If the ends aren't prepared properly, loosening off a faceplate can certainly weaken an already poor connection.

Only asking all this in case the cable is fine, and your electrician's technique is duff. With respect, qualified doesn't necessarily mean good. How old and experienced is he? Have to ask these things as trying to save you any unnecessary upheaval, for all I know your electrician is excellent and the cable really is faulty.

Send photos if you can.

What make is the cable?

 

[Moobug]

We're going to get a pro in so we can have it fixed, get that final official stamp on everything and draw a line under it. It's a shame that our friend's DIY was meant to help us out, but for whatever reason it hasn't been as effective as we'd all hoped. He is older than me, has years (talking over a decade) of experience, and qualifications from the last five years, but he is not an electrician by trade. Am I right in thinking worst-case scenario here is that the wiring is taken out and done again?

I think I could take pics and write descriptions but without getting in close-up and personal there could be multiple logical answers... however, as I've said before, I really appreciate everyone's advice in getting us onto the right track

 

[sparkwright]

Yes, get a recommended pro in to have a look, even a second opinion after that. It does sound like the wires weren't terminated properly - hopefully this is this case - and all the terminations will have to be re-made. Certainly more desirable than re-wiring the actual cables! Not a major job really, quite clean.

Did you notice any junction boxes under the floor? Your new electrician would be able to an educated guess here.

This may highlight the difference between an actual electrician and a jack of all trades - but there you go. Such is life.

Keep us posted.

 

[Moobug]

Hi all,

Just wanted to thank you all again for your advice and direction. We got a pro in who went under all the floors and up in the roof, checked all the sockets, did all the tests and decided what to do.

No faults, all good, paperwork done, and all loose ends are now tied up for us.

Again, many thanks!