Work not to regs? (by NICEIC member)

[sparkwright]

Not tails going to the consumer unit, but a twin and earth cable.

This twin and earth is presumably a 10 or 16mm2 cable.

I think the way to solve all potential problems is to fit a switch fuse unit in the meter cupboard.

Although the (unfused) isolator in the meter cupboard is useful in that one can safely isolate the power, it will be wasting valuable space if a switch fuse unit were to be fitted.

 

[AndyPRK]

1. The length being longer than 3m should have a switch fuse.

2. Twin and earth isn’t rated to carry the current as far as I know.

 

[ericmark]

I think we agree errors made, but big question who needs to pay for correction.

 

[chivers67]

I've noticed on the photo that it looks like they chipped away at some of the brick work on the column so cabling could well be deeper that most of us first thought.

 

[AndyPRK]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161523418795

 

[chivers67]

Find out what size that Twin & Earth is exactly but get one of those that Andy has posted up (or similar) with a 60A Fuse.

 

[Skyhigh]

Thanks for the responses guys, it really helps.

I've given NICEIC shout and they point to their complaints process. Luckily we're 1 month off the 6 year cover period.
(I'd prefer to go just to the contractor, but I suspect it'll drag out longer than 1 month, even if he fixes it, I expect the local planning auth will have to come out to check it - again. And I worry that I'd have no real come-back after the 6 year period apart from pursuing the local auth about it).

Looking back, I could have nearly gone through those cables myself...

I put up a load of pictures about 4 years ago. But I was in a rush so (luckily) used CommandStrips (I know, I know - but I had to put up 27 picture frames in an hour or so, and it had to be quiet) - whereas I typically prefer the sturdyness of a rawlplug and screw in the wall. (You'll see a strip of frames, pretty much where the column/pier is....)

 

[SimonH2]

I've noticed on the photo that it looks like they chipped away at some of the brick work on the column so cabling could well be deeper that most of us first thought.

More likely, the cables have gone into that channeling and the plasterboard is flush against the brickwork - so the cables are only the thickness of the plasterboard and skim deep, or around 15mm.
So we have concealed cables potentially not in a safe zone (depends on position of CU), concealed cables not RCD protected, supply cable from meter to CU is over 3 m without OC protection (is that an ESQCR thing ?), T&E not correctly terminated at supply end, concealed junction that is highly unlikely to be MF.

 

[Skyhigh]

concealed junction that is highly unlikely to be MF.

Good summary! (Oh dear for me though)
The corners of the pier were chipped off by the electrician to stop the cables going over a sharp corner - there isn't a channel in the brickwork sadly.

MF?

 

[chivers67]

Maintenance free

 

[SimonH2]

The picture isn't clear enough to tell for certain. But there's stitch drilling and between the rows of holes the brick looks different to above and below. From that picture, it certainly looks like it's been chased - inline with where the cable would be if they weren't sagging between supports. Even if it's not chased, the cables will be just behind the boarding with minimal gap.
Of course it's possible that the sparky screwed a plate of steel over the cables before they were boarded over ... But then some poeple claim that there's a porcine aviation display team

 

[Skyhigh]

Minor update - tried contacting the original contractor who did the garage conversion and the electrician directly too, no response. Chasing via NICEIC now.....

 

[Skyhigh]

Finally had a reply from electrician.

Junction Box
Agrees this is an oversight.

50mm Depth
Says it's fine as RCD is in place. Seems to have missed the point that the mains intake itself runs sub 50mm too.

T&E/Tails
Says there's on limit on length of T&E or tails as long as voltage drop is calculated for. Also no issue using T&E instead of double insulated.
This may be true, but there's no protection in place!

Zoning
Says it's fine, as cables run across the wall from the consumer, creating a zone.
I can see that, although it's not very obvious there's a zone because the consumer is hidden in a cupboard....

Testing
Says their test sheet doesn't say consumer was moved. Oversight as it was moved.
But then says "consumer unit was tested as required". I've shared the test sheet with NICEIC for them to review.


Guess we'll see what NICEIC say....

 

[Fwad]

Your DNO will disagree about the tails. He might be theoretically correct but your DNO won't agree to their fuse being used to protect > 2 / 3 meters without their permission (which they won't give and will tell you just to install a switch fuse so your fuse now protects it).

Looks like 16mm^2 T&E - in free air that will carry 100A and I think you've got a 80A main fuse?

It still looks very rough

 

[sparkwright]

Remind me, what was the issue with the junction box, why was this a problem?