Dodgy trade pictures for your amusement! - 1 Million Views!

[Mike Johnson]

Or even vertically by the side of the RWP and horizontally under the widow, there may not be enough cable, but nothing a nice neat 45deg angle under the window would not cure and look much neater.

 

[Raptor0014]

Quote from the owner - “It’s ok, it’s outside so nobody touches it”

 

[Welchyboy1]

A few pictures from my phone of past jobs

Just for clarity, the 3 brown 16mm singles taped up coming out of the trunking are fed from the crappy distributuion board pictured,supplied from on the top right Triple pole breaker, 63A, three phase 400V , trunking was not earthed, went to another moody three phase board the other side of the warehouse about 40 meters away, pretty much taped up their entire length, must have took most of the day taping them all together, they were joined with 30A connector blocks about 4 times throughout the run

 

[Raptor0014]

A few pictures from my phone of past jobs

Just for clarity, the 3 brown 16mm singles taped up coming out of the trunking are fed from the crappy distributuion board pictured,supplied from on the top right Triple pole breaker, 63A, three phase 400V , trunking was not earthed, went to another moody three phase board the other side of the warehouse about 40 meters away, pretty much taped up their entire length, must have took most of the day taping them all together, they were joined with 30A connector blocks about 4 times throughout the run

Did you get the ‘it works ok ’ response when you pointed it out?

 

[Welchyboy1]

Did you get the ‘it works ok ’ response when you pointed it out?

Definatly a contender for the longest ever EICR observations list!

 

[Raptor0014]

And this weeks award for the most ridiculously placed consumer unit and grouted in shower isolation switch goes to…

The hidden in the top corner of a built in wardrobe.

I do wonder what some people think when they do stuff like this.

 

[westward10]

Seems like someone mislaid some of the linking kit.

 

[nicebutdim]

And this weeks award for the most ridiculously placed consumer unit and grouted in shower isolation switch goes to…

The hidden in the top corner of a built in wardrobe.

I do wonder what some people think when they do stuff like this.

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One saving grace being the reasonably decent isolator.

 

[Aaron b]

And this weeks award for the most ridiculously placed consumer unit and grouted in shower isolation switch goes to…

The hidden in the top corner of a built in wardrobe.

I do wonder what some people think when they do stuff like this.

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And how do they end up with chint Hager and wylex?

 

[Raptor0014]

And how do they end up with chint Hager and

Guess it was mix of what was left on the van on a Friday afternoon

 

[littlespark]

I wish I hadn’t taken the cover off now….

New customer. Lighting fault, breaker would reset, 4 or 5 times… then wouldn’t reset at all, and tripped with a crack.
Boiler is also off this lighting circuit so I’ve ran a temp supply for that just now.

Reading 5Mohms and rising on L-E and N-E.
Suspect circuit is second from left and disconnected for now.

Other issues with board include inner cores of flex on left most breaker supplying bell transformer (no bell) into exposed connector block. Took that out straight away.

There’s so much excess copper on show.. and no idea with the black going into a breaker.
Neutrals don’t correspond with lines and this was supposedly rewired in 2002.

I’ll get all the faults sorted, then get some rcbo’s for it.

 

[pirate]

 

[pirate]

This might confuse a DIYer...either the label is on upside down, or the cables are reversed on the tray...
It works though, now!
I apologise for the state of the ferrules, they were re-done once I had the unit running.

 

[littlespark]

So bad you posted the image twice.

 

[pirate]

Like New York, so good they named it twice!
Listen, I'm hopeless with posting stuff, so My apologies!

 

[nicebutdim]

This might confuse a DIYer...either the label is on upside down, or the cables are reversed on the tray...
It works though, now!
I apologise for the state of the ferrules, they were re-done once I had the unit running.

I've seen this with cheap lights bought from Amazon, one of which stated on its product page that blue was line and brown was neutral. That one was handed to the guy that bought it, with clear instructions about what he could do with it.

 

[pirate]

Indeed, @nicebutdim
I had an accessory recently where the wiring instructions were written step-by-step, and there were illustrations too...problem was that they conflicted. OK for me to sort out what was what, but anyone following the diagram would end up with a blown timeclock. I contacted the manufacturers, they thanked me for being in touch, and said they would review things...
Aye, right...as we say in Scotland.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Tom Jones greatest hits perhaps?

 

[JBW175]

Bathroom light was wired directly into the shower isolator. Neutral burnt out and insulation shot on shower circuit. 40 year old board with no RCD protection, so that’s added to the quote too.

 

[Baddegg]

Bathroom light was wired directly into the shower isolator. Neutral burnt out and insulation shot on shower circuit. 40 year old board with no RCD protection, so that’s added to the quote too.


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At first glance after 2 Guinness I thought that lower cable was under water!

 

[Raptor0014]

Nice cable management. I especially like the attention to detail on the glanding for the SWA……

 

[Raptor0014]

Installing some outside sockets today and notice that their EV charge point was fed with ordinary SWA. It piqued my curiosity as I also do EV charge points and know they have to have active load management. Along with OCPD & RCD protection, though some are now starting to come with both 6mA DC & 30mA protection built in. The charge point installed has neither OCPD or 30mA protection built in. Just 6mA DC.

As there was no seperate cable for the CT clamp and they weren’t using EV ultra/Hyper Connect I quizzed the owner on where the supply for the charge point was.

Now there are a number of plethora of ‘issues’ here.

But I have circled the supply to the EV charge point. The main cutout rating is also only 60A.

Funny enough they didn’t have a certificate for it and I’m betting the DNO haven’t been informed.

Customer tried to get hold of installer whilst I was there but the no. was switched off. So I’ve left him with all the details of how it should be done. So he can quiz the installer. He asked if I could rectify it all which I said of course. But he should approach the installer first as they should rectify it FoC.

 

[pc1966]

Now there are a number of plethora of ‘issues’ here.

Indeed, but the oddest to me is why saw the right end of the MET? Not that the left end is being used for a fixing screw!

 

[Raptor0014]

Indeed, but the oddest to me is why saw the right end of the MET? Not that the left end is being used for a fixing screw!

Who knows? I often wonder when I see stuff like this if they were pi55ed!

 

[richy3333]

Oh joy of joy!

 

[LewisM]

Earth 2nd from top is very cute.

 

[Julie.]

Oh joy of joy!

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That's one of them there metal consumer units we had to remove years ago, 'cos they were dangerous.

Fortunately we moved to plastic!

 

[timhoward]

Now there are a number of plethora of ‘issues’ here.

I don't know what I'd have done in your situation. As that's only a 60947-3 isolator the meter tails are effectively extended all the way to the EVCP....!

 

[littlespark]

There’s pyro in there as well!
Easily damaged with the pot and seals protruding in like that.

 

[richy3333]

There’s pyro in there as well!
Easily damaged with the pot and seals protruding in like that.

Whole house was originally wired in Pyro. The T&E as later circuits. Given him a huge price for updating the board and he's accepted!

 

[littlespark]

Coupling and bush on that pyro? (And any others)

 

[Welchyboy1]

A Few from this weeks travels

 

[freddo]

Hmm that's a creative way of fixing a group of lighting tracks. Hopefully the wiring has been installed a bit more professionally.

Oh, well I'm sure the supply connection will be better.

Oh.

Also from the same place:

At least the switch is off.

Probably been there a while.

I have no words. (Except WTF)

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Probably been there a while.

Ooh R/W/B cable.... If you pull this out and it's more than a couple of feet, I'll pay you to send it over for the museum. Keep failing to secure any reasonable lengths of R/W/B.

 

[freddo]

Ooh R/W/B cable.... If you pull this out and it's more than a couple of feet, I'll pay you to send it over for the museum. Keep failing to secure any reasonable lengths of R/W/B.

I think i have a good ~5m length home here already I'll check. Seem to come across it quite often here.

 

[Raptor0014]

“Hi, wondering if you can help. Just moved into the property and every time we turn on any of the lights the electric trips.”

Hmm. I can’t think why! Can any of you more knowledgeable folk hazard a guess?

I’ve not even started on the rest of the place. Asked if they had a EICR done as part of the sale. Apparently one was done and came back as satisfactory.

So I’ve said they need to send these images to the solicitors and ask for their money back. Then I’ll come and do a proper EICR, which I’ve already pointed out a number of issues which make it unsatisfactory.

 

[Raptor0014]

I don't know what I'd have done in your situation. As that's only a 60947-3 isolator the meter tails are effectively extended all the way to the EVCP....!

I told them not to use the charge point and to get on to the installer as they should be given the chance to rectify.

It would be interesting to see what would happen if a fault occurred and his charge point and/or car went up.

 

[mainline]

“Hi, wondering if you can help. Just moved into the property and every time we turn on any of the lights the electric trips.”

Hmm. I can’t think why! Can any of you more knowledgeable folk hazard a guess?

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I’ve not even started on the rest of the place. Asked if they had a EICR done as part of the sale. Apparently one was done and came back as satisfactory.

So I’ve said they need to send these images to the solicitors and ask for their money back. Then I’ll come and do a proper EICR, which I’ve already pointed out a number of issues which make it unsatisfactory.

I've looked at this for hours and can't think of a reason.
Maybe a faulty Rcd ?

 

[LewisM]

Somebody changed the ballast and somehow forgot to screw the fitting back to panel........

 

[mainline]

Can of worms

 

[pc1966]

Can of worms

Well at least they tried to keep all of the armour electrically linked. Self-locking nuts as well!

 

[Raptor0014]

Not a dodgy trade. But more a Cupid stunt in the property.

Let’s just use sellotape to keep a circuit on that keeps switching off.

 

[mainline]

Not a dodgy trade. But more a Cupid stunt in the property.

Let’s just use sellotape to keep a circuit on that keeps switching off.

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That is absolutely terrible, everyone knows you should use Gaffa tape as it's much more sticky.

One strange thing though is the Shed mcb looks to be the most stressed, and it's been left out, also wonder why all three ?

 

[Raptor0014]

That is absolutely terrible, everyone knows you should use Gaffa tape as it's much more sticky.

One strange thing though is the Shed mcb looks to be the most stressed, and it's been left out, also wonder why all three ?

It was only the middle one (sockets) which was faulty and it was a faulty MCB.

Tested the circuit and it’s all fine. I can only assume the tape was over all three due to its size. ‍

I wouldn’t mind but I went for non working underfloor heating. Which was also due to a duff fused spur.

 

[mainline]

It was only the middle one (sockets) which was faulty and it was a faulty MCB.

Tested the circuit and it’s all fine. I can only assume the tape was over all three due to its size. ‍

I wouldn’t mind but I went for non working underfloor heating. Which was also due to a duff fused spur.

What about the shed one that looks like it's been cooked ?

Earlier today customer says can you look at an outside light that hasn't worked for some time, problem being it's quite high up near the apex on a 2-storey house, No problem I say whilst grinding my teeth as it's also peeing down, get up there thinking It's probably just a bulb, change bulb ask them to try it, reply is ohh I don't know where the switch is.
Come down cant find switch, end up in attic. Turns out it's never been wired.

 

[Raptor0014]

What about the shed one that looks like it's been cooked ?

It’s not. It’s just dirty. I thought it had too when I first looked at it. But there’s only a light and unused socket in the shed.

I replaced the faulty MCB and had a look at the others. Rest are fine.

 

[mainline]

It’s not. It’s just dirty. I thought it had too when I first looked at it. But there’s only a light and unused socket in the shed.

I replaced the faulty MCB and had a look at the others. Rest are fine.

From the pic, it looks like it has a piece missing out of the bottom.

 

[Raptor0014]

From the pic, it looks like it has a piece missing out of the bottom.

Indeed it does. Never noticed that earlier . I’m going back tomorrow as didn’t have a fused spur on the van. So will replace it and then get myself an eye test.

 

[mainline]

Had a call Saturday afternoon just as I was about to go home from a friend of mine saying that he's lost power to his boiler and outbuilding /Sun room.
He tells me that he's checked at the CU for anything tripped and also checked the fuse in FCU at the boiler.

I ask if he's got any sort of multimeter etc, he says no (although this fella is a mobile locksmith and I would have expected him to have something).

After being on the phone for 20 mins and him having the lid off the Cu it's decided that I go and look as he's got his freezer in the outbuilding and also some pump in a tank that's not working either.

Problem for me is that he lives well into the country, and it's almost a 100-mile round trip on a lot of single country lanes.
I debate whether to go home and take the car and also risk having to tell the missus face to face that we won't be going into town or to go now in the van.

The telling the missus face to face was the deciding factor in not taking the car.

So after a Text message to her indoors, off I set.
Slow progress it seems like every farmer in their tractors are out and about, but after a quick stop at a fuel station that sells Costa coffee and Cornish pasties I'm not feeling too bad.

On the way, brain is ticking over thinking what it could be as I've asked him things like is it a Swa cable to the out building etc.

Half way there I get a text from him with very accurate directions as he says the sat nav may get it wrong OK, no prob.

After a little while, I look at the sat nav, and it says 10 miles to go.

Then the dreaded happens he phones me I think I've found the problem, a fuse has gone in a Fcu a 5amp one it was in the airing cupboard upstairs.
I say it can't be that because you said the outbuilding is dead he said I haven't replaced the fuse yet, but it's definitely gone as I put it in another FCU for the cooker hood to try it and the hood doesnt work with that fuse.

Ok well I'm almost there now.

Get there Straight to the Cu split load neatly done, all good 16 amp MCB feed to heating boiler fine.
Boiler FCU which is in airing cupboard fuse blown.

I said what happened when the power went, he says it went when I plugged a hoover in the outbuilding.

Ok to the outbuilding we go Clock the isolator on the wall 1.5 swa feeding a pump for some tank (septic I think but wasn't interested)

In the outbuilding, CU Swa feed in is 2.5 Swa RCD /16 amp / 6 amp Feed is dead.

2 DBL sockets and a few LED lights

Where does it get the feed from, I ask ? From the pump, he says.

Where does the pump get its supply from because there is no Swa out of the CU.

Don't know, he says,

Who connected the Outbuilding ? Electrician I paid him cash, and he connected to the 1.5 swa ? yes, he said, not knowing where that supply was from ? Yes.

Turns out the original owner connected the pump off the boiler supply to the tank pump.

So the 5 amp Fcu feeds boiler, pump, and a fair sized outbuilding.

I put a 13amp fuse in the FCU and told him I'm off home.

Still, it was better than going shopping.

 

[Raptor0014]

Main earth conductor not able to fit into earth terminal bar? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Just chop a few strands of the conductor off!