I have just had my house fully rewired. I lifted a few of the loose floorboards to clean and noticed at junctions there is a lot of exposed copper wire. Is this normal or even safe?
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That is totally not good. First of all, in a complete rewire, there should not be any need for joints under the floor.
Secondly, any joints have to be made with all the terminals completely enclosed in a suitable box.
Third, the bare copper wires are circuit protective conductors and should be covered in green/yellow sleeving.

I would be seeking some sort of redress.
 
totally unacceptable bodge. did they arrive on horseback? have you paid them in full? andwhat other horrors might there be lurking?
Thank you for your response, they have just sent out their invoice....... I found other areas similar. Can I ask, does a full rewire have to be passed by Building Control? and would it be standard to request they come and look at the job if I have concerns? Thanks so much for your help.
 
That is totally not good. First of all, in a complete rewire, there should not be any need for joints under the floor.
Secondly, any joints have to be made with all the terminals completely enclosed in a suitable box.
Third, the bare copper wires are circuit protective conductors and should be covered in green/yellow sleeving.

I would be seeking some sort of redress.
Thank you for your response, any advice is really helpful.
 
To expand. The bare copper is not correct but is not the most serious problem. The bare conductor is the CPC (earth) core and should be sleeved for identification purposes. However it is unlikely to be live or dangerous to touch. The first concern is that junctions between cables must be installed in suitable purpose-made enclosures, so that you only see the grey outer sheath of the cable entering, not the blue and brown cores nor the connectors joining them. Leaving those exposed is unacceptable as they are not mechanically secure nor protected against being touched.

'The second concern is that 'work' of that standard, as hinted at above, indicates a general disregard of both the regulations and accepted practice, even if it does not present an immediate threat to life. You just don't do it like that (although it's certainly not the first time nor will it be the last.) Also as mentioned above, hidden joints are undesirable and usually a sign of bad planning or damaged cables. They are often a sign of modifications to existing wiring; in normal circumstances they should not be found in new work, as there are usually better ways to arrange things so that all connections are made inside fittings where they are accessible.
 
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To expand. The bare copper is not correct but is not the most serious problem. The bare conductor is the CPC (earth) core and should be sleeved for identification pusrposes, however it should not be live or dangerous to touch. But all junctions between cables must be installed in suitable purpose-made enclosures, so that you only see the grey outer sheath of the cable entering, not the blue and brown cores nor the connectors joining them. Leaving those exposed is unacceptable as they are not mechanically secure nor protected against being touched.

'Work' of that standard, as hinted at above, indicates a general disregard of both the regulations and accepted practice, even if it does not present an immediate threat to life. You just don't do it like that (although it's certainly not the first time nor will it be the last.) And also as mentioned above, hidden joints are undesirable and usually a sign of bad planning or damaged cables. They are often a sign of modifications to existing wiring; in normal circumstances the should not be found in new work as there are usually better ways to arrange things, so that all connections are made inside fittings where they are accessible.
Thank you, this is so helpful. I don't really understand electrical installations but as somebody who is used to seeing houses slightly deconstructed for refurb purposes this doesn't look as I would expect. Any further advice from anybody reading these threads is really useful. Thanks!
 
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Home owner that has just had a full rewire but need advice from other members

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Exposed copper wire under the floorboards after rewire
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JanWilson,
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