Discuss Advice on fixing this outside mess in the UK Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net
Is that the reason it has stopped working?
So is RCD tripping?
Obviously cracked box, SWA not earthed this end, and B32 possibly feeding two radials (or is it a RFC?)
All I'd care about is understanding the reason why it doesn't work, and then whether the incoming SWA is sound. IR test it, continuity test it. I'd assume the other end is a fuse or MCB?
Then I wouldn't want to do anything other than start again. From what you've shown I've two instant ideas:
You could fit a little IP65 CU, re-terminate the SWA into that (but earth it), and fit a couple of B16 RCBO's, one for each shed.
Or you could re-terminate the incoming SWA into a galv besa box, or resin joint, extend the SWA and and fit a little garage CU inside the shed.
He could have some lights then as well.
As bad as that lot looks, the reason could be downstream of there. You need to IR test the two radials in turn.Yes the RCD has tripped.
Does the SWA have a cable route where it would otherwise need RCD protection at source? You may need to consider this before changing cable type.if the SWA is no good I may replace with NYY so it’s all the same cable. Would this need to be earthed with an Earth locking nut on that end?
You don't replace a cable so it matches the other you replace it with a suitable cable. NYY-J does not need an earth lock nut. I'm not sure you are experienced enough to be undertaking such things without supervision.
As bad as that lot looks, the reason could be downstream of there. You need to IR test the two radials in turn.
Does the SWA have a cable route where it would otherwise need RCD protection at source? You may need to consider this before changing cable type.
Wagos? Yes!
Slightly off topic but this has intrigued me for ages, you state "B32 possibly feeding two radials" as that's what it looks like but I don't believe that device has any over current protection at all, its just an RCD with contacts rated to 32A just like the 63A and 80A RCD's we so often see in consumer units.So is RCD tripping?
Obviously cracked box, SWA not earthed this end, and B32 possibly feeding two radials (or is it a RFC?)
All I'd care about is understanding the reason why it doesn't work, and then whether the incoming SWA is sound. IR test it, continuity test it. I'd assume the other end is a fuse or MCB?
Then I wouldn't want to do anything other than start again. From what you've shown I've two instant ideas:
You could fit a little IP65 CU, re-terminate the SWA into that (but earth it), and fit a couple of B16 RCBO's, one for each shed.
Or you could re-terminate the incoming SWA into a galv besa box, or resin joint, extend the SWA and and fit a little garage CU inside the shed.
He could have some lights then as well.
Slightly off topic but this has intrigued me for ages, you state "B32 possibly feeding two radials" as that's what it looks like but I don't believe that device has any over current protection at all, its just an RCD with contacts rated to 32A just like the 63A and 80A RCD's we so often see in consumer units.
The bit that intrigues me is why would manufacturers make an RCD that is only rated to 32A when they produce so many that are 63/80/100A rated. what could it possibly be used for that a vastly more common higher rated one couldn't be. All it does is confuse people into thinking its got some kind of over current protection, I'll bet there are hundreds of these devices installed for just that purpose.
I’ve got a Wiska 1010 box and a Vent Plug, if the SWA is no good I may replace with NYY so it’s all the same cable.
Is this a trick question? NYY doesn't have any armour to earth.Would this need to be earthed with an Earth locking nut on that end?
How is the SWA installed and how would your proposed new NYY be installed?
There's a lot more to selecting the right cable for the job than just making it all the same type.
Is this a trick question? NYY doesn't have any armour to earth.
The SWA goes into the L N terminals on the RCD. It’s then fed into the Garage Consumer Unit on an MCB. Then the Garage has its own feed back to the Consumer unit in the house. It’s currently buried under paving in the garden.
Via conduit.How would the proposed NYY-J replacement be routed back to that consumer unit?
You make a good point, I wondered that after I wrote it.Slightly off topic but this has intrigued me for ages, you state "B32 possibly feeding two radials" as that's what it looks like but I don't believe that device has any over current protection at all, its just an RCD with contacts rated to 32A just like the 63A and 80A RCD's we so often see in consumer units.
Galv conduit would certainly provide good mechanical protection. @timhoward raises the issue of CCC - I don't know the differences between SWA and NYY off the top of my head, nor the correction factor when enclosed in conduit, but you may need to increase cable size and also that of the conduit. Seems like quite a bit of additional cost for something that isn't known to be faulty.Via conduit.
I had the same problem a few months ago, my mate was looking at some wiring in a food wagon and he rang me for advice on what to do next, he says there is a 32A RCD protecting the installation without any breakers and I said well if its a 32A RCD then it must be an RCBO so its covered but he was adamant it was just an RCD, when he sent me a picture and I looked a bit closer it dawned on me that it was indeed just an RCD.You make a good point, I wondered that after I wrote it.
So it isn't working because it has been disconnected?
I had the same problem a few months ago, my mate was looking at some wiring in a food wagon and he rang me for advice on what to do next, he says there is a 32A RCD protecting the installation without any breakers and I said well if its a 32A RCD then it must be an RCBO so its covered but he was adamant it was just an RCD, when he sent me a picture and I looked a bit closer it dawned on me that it was indeed just an RCD.
If it said 63A or 80A etc the you would automatically assume its just an RCD without any other protection, its just the fact that it has a low value on it that I think loads of people will think its an MCB as well, same as the 20A and 25A ones that are also knocking about. Just doesn't make any sense to me to have all that different tooling to make different rated RCD's when a 100A would cover everything, the cost on saved metal must be minuscule.
Not the outcome I'd been expecting.So it isn't working because it has been disconnected?
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