DIY Outdoor lighting

[427HRS]

Hi

I wanted to put the on the DIY Electrical category but It won't allow me to post on there.

I'm new to this forum, I'm not an electrician but I do get involved in CE compliance of power tools so have to be well up on EU directives and BS EN standards for electric motor operated tools.

I have some questions about part P.

Mynext doorneighbor keeps instaling outdoor lights himself, but in my opinion very badly.

I've watched this happen over the past 2 years but around a month ago he installed some more on the adjoining fence and has simply run a piece of white PVC flex along the top of a wooden fence and to make matters worse decided to loop it over onto our side and just fix it with cable clips.

I'll be honest I just want a reason to get him to take it down because its an eyesore but I also think its not a legal installation.

My question is, is this kind of work allowed by a DIY'er ?
and
Is ordinary PVC flex acceptable for outdoor/garden lighting ?

I've been reading through here and come up with the following :-

SWA cable should be used for outdoors, preferrably buried.
PVC cable is not UV resistant.
PVC flex is not really suitable for screw type connections, should be tinned or crimped ferrule terminations.
The cable has been bent around corners much smaller than the minimum bend radius (3-4 x dia)
The cable goes in and out of brick pillars but horizontally, no drip loops to prevent moisture entering.
The cable is supported by a wooden fence which has not got many more years life in it.

The cable/flex has just been added to an existing junction box for some security lights, which were installed correctly but he has just knocked out a blanking plug and pushed the cable through, no gland or anything.

I've checked the voltage when they are on (they are on a timer) with a non-contact detector and its definately 230V not extra low voltage.

Any advice on if theres anything I could do to get him to remove the cable he has kindly leaned over and nailed to my side of the fence so he can't see it would be appreciated.

 

[telectrix]

first thing is: who owns the fence? if it's his fence then he can nail wtahever he wants on it, both sides. if it's your fence, then you can make him remove it, but your legal costs may be high.

 

[dingledong]

Tel are you sure , even though it's his fence possibly I thought you could not put something onto the fence on the neighbouring side ? ?

 

[telectrix]

it's a grey area. if it overhangs the neighbours land, you could argue the fact, but if the fence is completely on the fence owner's land, there's not much you can do, unless you "accidentally" snip it with your secateurs.

 

[dingledong]

A part p cert should be provided for that work ,as the wire is in the op's garden could he ask to look at that certificate or is it only for the eyes of the person who paid for the work

 

[telectrix]

A part p cert should be provided for that work ,as the wire is in the op's garden could he ask to look at that certificate or is it only for the eyes of the person who paid for the work

only if it's a new circuit.

 

[dingledong]

I thought a garden was a special location

 

[telectrix]

it was before they dumbed down part p notifiable jobs.

 

[dingledong]

Ok then not much the the op can do it seems other than subtle sabotage

 

[427HRS]

Hi

Thanks for the comments so far,
The fence does belong to my neighbour

Just so you know what I mean you should be able to see a pdf with some photo here.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0-ZoTwKoy3DSUh5RVo1Nm8zLWs/edit?usp=sharing

I just find it difficult to believe someone can just clip White PVC flex carrying 230V to a wall or fence outdoors.

 

[telectrix]

pull it out of the clips and chuck it over the fence. as for the monkeys abortion in pic.2., see if the local council will act.

 

[427HRS]

pull it out of the clips and chuck it over the fence. as for the monkeys abortion in pic.2., see if the local council will act.

Believe me I would love to, he's been a pain since he moved in about 5 yrs ago, unfortunately he's in the police (not the band) and has no problem calling his mates for the slightest thing, I would guess I would be told it was criminal damage if I touched it myself, that's why I wondered if looking into compliance with the building regs would sort it out.

You may have gathered were not the best of friends.

 

[dingledong]

Yes I would ask the council to come around as it looks rough but I think they won't come out straight away they just don't want to get involved . Do you have children

 

[427HRS]

Yes I would ask the council to come around as it looks rough but I think they won't come out straight away they just don't want to get involved . Do you have children

Yes, 2 one 15 and one 13.

I might take a photo of the eldest (tallest) with the hedge trimmer and send it to the council, the end of this cable on the fence is about a foot away from where I cut the hedge, the hedge is higher than the fence.

The impression I'm getting is that part P is not enforced very well, if at all, and its now been dumbed down to make it easier for anyone to do most electrical work.

 

[telectrix]

surprised the hedge trimmer hasn't cut it yet. :smilielol5::smilielol5:

 

[Octopus]

Hi

Thanks for the comments so far,
The fence does belong to my neighbour

Just so you know what I mean you should be able to see a pdf with some photo here.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0-ZoTwKoy3DSUh5RVo1Nm8zLWs/edit?usp=sharing

I just find it difficult to believe someone can just clip White PVC flex carrying 230V to a wall or fence outdoors.

I've looked at the photo's and I am of the opinion that whether the fence is his or yours, anything "attached" to said item needs to be on HIS side of the fence/wall.

Its as rough as a badgers back end and terrible.

Could you put a call into your local Building Control Officer and see if they can come and look - sure its a bit of a grey area but would anyone of any sense think that that type of installation is safe? sensible? desirable? - no, no and no IMHO

 

[427HRS]

Could you put a call into your local Building Control Officer and see if they can come and look - sure its a bit of a grey area but would anyone of any sense think that that type of installation is safe? sensible? desirable? - no, no and no IMHO

I've took a few more photos today, I think I will contact the Council/Building Control, see what they say about it.

 

[dingledong]

Let us know the outcome