Ugly looking DNO earth - thoughts please

[Wilko]

Hi All, got sent this pic overnight by that chap who wants a quote for CU change in Slough. It looks a bit diy to me. Your thoughts appreciated please, ok/not ok, DNO likely to fix charge/no charge. Should be SSE area. Cheers

 

[Wilko]

Here's a bigger pic ...

 

[Octopus]

Let us know what they say!

 

[Jay Sparks]

Looks like someone has used a BS951 earth clamp. That is not good. It should be a constant compression clamp. Unfortunately I am not sure if the DNO will do anything about it but if they do, they might well charge.

Jay

 

[The Ghost]

Your problem is you will need to make a new earth, and if it is from there you are in a bind. You can't make off an earth to replace that bare earth going into the Falks CU. So I would advise the client the DNO will have to make good the earth. Having phoned them first and got a ballpark price adding no doubt £200-300 to the cost. And there is no warning on the 951 clamp which as stated (as I am sure you know) is not on at that position. And of course we can't touch it.

 

[Richard Burns]

It looks like the earth was originally supplied by the DNO so they should maintain it, however it also looks like the earth was deliberately removed and that clamp installed instead so this could be considered deliberate damage and so they would charge to repair this.
However they are likely to do the job, only at a cost.
If you can crimp onto the remaining strands then this may be OK but it would need site assessment to be sure.

 

[The Ghost]

earth was deliberately removed

I think the original DNO is there you can just see it peeking out and going into CU and you can see the original clamp/screw securing it.

 

[Octopus]

Isn't that 951 clamp just connecting the gas to the incomer?

This is exactly why you can't quote without visiting.

 

[Wilko]

I think the original DNO is there you can just see it peeking out and going into CU and you can see the original clamp/screw securing it.

Good pick !
Likely because there was no MET external to the CU someone's done a bit of freehand bonding direct to the cable. If that's so, it won't be too hard to fix, but I take Murdock's point as that's just the first thing

 

[Midwest]

I'm also in the SSE catchment area, always found them to respond to things quite quickly, and coming out to have a look. But I suppose that might be down to my local depot. Always have to ring the call centre first, and then local depot calls you direct.

I'm guessing they will rectify that FOC, if it's just the clamp.

Edit; See now that the CU doesn't appear to be connected to the 'earthing facility', but least the gas is bonded!

 

[ruston]

I had a similar one years ago , it was sparking under test though.
They came out within an hour and replaced it free of charge with a constant pressure clamp.

 

[telectrix]

is that gas bond the wrong side of the meter?

 

[Wilko]

Let us know what they say!

SSE chap has reviewed pic and suggests on site safety check by one their engineers (arrange by calling 08000727282).

On the lighter side - I was told initially to get an Electrician in to fix it, but I said @Pete999 lives too far away so she put me through to their tech folks who were keen to see a pic, just like us

 

[Rpa07]

Oh the irony!

is that gas bond the wrong side of the meter?

 

[davesparks]

That perforated strap is the original DNO clamp onto the lead sheath, the 951 is a later bodge.

If the 951 is removed you can fit a lug to the screw which holds the original strap clamp together.

 

[Wilko]

So I've written back to Our Man, thanked him for the pics and advised him that the earthing and bonding are not ok, may be a safety concern and needs investigation asap. I have offered to attend for call out fee + parts, assess if I can fix it (following helpful advice here ) or get DNO assistance to resolve.

I'm afraid I couldn't help myself and bluntly suggested he should not engage the person who installed it, and this may be why it's all gone very quiet ...

 

[Octopus]

Did you ask him about his reference to a refund from Able Skills on the original thread?

Shame you didn't go and see him!

 

[Wilko]

Did you ask him about his reference to a refund from Able Skills on the original thread?

Shame you didn't go and see him!

I kept out of that Able Skills thingo (already shot myself...) but I'm guessing I'm not his first date. I think it's quite telling that a safety issue gets met with silence, so I'm happy to leave it.