Electrician did not trunk earth wiring - is this legal in UK?

[andyparker2007]

Firstly, just want to establish that I am a normal member of the public and not an electrician, and coming on here for some expert advice.

I had my flat checked for electrical safety by a NICEIC certified electrician. He did £500 worth of work, but I am feeling a bit conned. He fitted a new RDC consumer unit (fuse box) and did earth bonding cabling for gas and water.

The problem is that I have these ugly earthing cables running around my flat and even outside my flat. He did not even trunk these cables. Is this a legal standard of workmanship or is it legitimate for me to raise a complaint. Anyone's advice would be much appreciate, as I really feel a bit ripped off!!

 

[Penance]

Earth bonding cable does not have to be in trunking.
That would be just for asthetics.

What other work was carried out?

 

[andyparker2007]

Quite a few other jobs, but he insisted that the main consumer unit had to be replaced, and varies earth bonding cabling was required. I got it done, but surely it can't be right that i have exposed earth bonding cables running within my flat and on outside balcony? Whilst it looks awful, I was wondering whether this is even legal! Just doesn't seem right.

 

[telectrix]

trunking is only required if needed to protect from damage. however, the visual appearance of the installation should also be considered. without actually seeing the job, it's difficult to comment. what to some people is acceptable, to others it is unsightly.

 

[tonys]

Any scheme provider will not up hold a complaint made against a member on comestic terms.

 

[KINKY]

Think some pics are needed

 

[andyparker2007]

Ok thanks for your answers - whilst really unhappy with the lack of care from a cosmetic perspective, I hear what you are all generally saying.

I think there may be a safety issue I have found with his work though. The earth bonding cable was connected to a water pipe under the gas boiler which is about 5m away from the main water stop cock. Is that ok or should it be connected near the stop cock?

 

[ezzzekiel]

should be within 600mm or as near as practicable, think the only argument you have is it not looking very nice which is not really a concern from an electrical point of view, have you spoken to spark about trunking the bonding cables?

apart from being unsightly and a bit slapdash its not actually breaking any regulations.

 

[IQ Electrical]

Firstly, just want to establish that I am a normal member of the public and not an electrician, and coming on here for some expert advice.

I had my flat checked for electrical safety by a NICEIC certified electrician. He did £500 worth of work, but I am feeling a bit conned. He fitted a new RDC consumer unit (fuse box) and did earth bonding cabling for gas and water.

The problem is that I have these ugly earthing cables running around my flat and even outside my flat. He did not even trunk these cables. Is this a legal standard of workmanship or is it legitimate for me to raise a complaint. Anyone's advice would be much appreciate, as I really feel a bit ripped off!!

Hi Andy

How did you leave things with the installer?

Did you pay him before you'd seen the work completed?

It sounds like a case of aesthetics rather than actual non-compliant work but details such as cable routes and containment are normally discussed and agreed before work commences.

 

[sparks1234]

It should be within 600mm of the stopcock or as near as is reasonably possible.
But, from what I have read on this post it does come across as though you are gunning for him.
In my opinion, £500 for a consumer unit, earth bonding and "quite a few" other jobs seems very reasonable

 

[andyparker2007]

Sparks - I hope your comment is not a case of electricians protecting electricians. I am certainly annoyed that he did not discuss the aesthetics of his work. Every electrician I have ever used in the past has done a good job for me, and I paid straight away, as I even did in this case. But this electrician has conducted himself poorly in my eyes. He was pushy in getting the work and sloppy during the job.

I discussed this with my Father, and he said that the electrician should have done the bonding between the gas meter and water stop cock, rather than between gas meter and boiler.

 

[telectrix]

bonding should be from MET ( either inside CU or adjacent), to water and to gas, separate cables unless unbroken, 10mm. and it's not a case of electricians sticking together. we all want poor workmanship banned, but as has been said, withiut pics or some way of seeing how the job has been done, it's difficult to give a definitive answer.

 

[gutterball]

im maybe reading you wrong here but are you saying he's run a earth cable between the gas meter and the boiler? it should be 2 seperate cables from the consumer unit to the incoming supplys.
also what access is there under floors etc for running cables?

 

[telectrix]

that was my point. if he's installed the bonding in the only practicasble way, then there's no room for improvement. if he's just been lazy and taken the easiest option, then the OP has a legitimate grievance. as i said, some pics would be a help.

 

[i=p/u]

well keep your cash in your pocket till you happy enough. i agree with orig post cables shouldnt be hanging around, but yes this should of been discussed at start ,,,,, pics would keep thread going

 

[keniff]

get some pics up im intrigued on what is thought ruff! people round our way charge up to 650 for board change alone!!

 

[ezzzekiel]

Sparks - I hope your comment is not a case of electricians protecting electricians.

and im sure its NOT, youve asked advise from what weve been told we offered our opinion if thats not good enough then either give more details or dont bother.

 

[sparks1234]

Can I just ask where you are from? I am only interested in knowing if it would be a country that normally installs earth bonding etc etc.
If he was with you for a day and did the amount of works you say he has done then thats a very fair price. We cant comment on the look of the installation if we can't see it. But from a regulation point of view it sounds as though it would "pass". If he was pushy then thats a different kettle of fish, we all would push for the works but its where you draw the line.

 

[tonys]

im maybe reading you wrong here but are you saying he's run a earth cable between the gas meter and the boiler? it should be 2 seperate cables from the consumer unit to the incoming supplys.
also what access is there under floors etc for running cables?

Not at all if its an unbroken cable, Tel has already explained that, your end up misleading andyparker.

 

[tonys]

I discussed this with my Father, and he said that the electrician should have done the bonding between the gas meter and water stop cock, rather than between gas meter and boiler.

Why should the Electrician have installed a bond between a Gas Meter a Water Stop Cock ? Ask your Farther why he thinks this is appropriate ?