Has my electrician done a bad job?

[bwaj11]

hi all,

Please help me work out whether my electrician has done a decent job or not.

We're doing a home renovation and he has installed a mains isolator in the kitchen next to the main fuse, because we have put a new consumer unit in the utility area on the other side of the room.

The electrician originally said there'd be just an isolator switch, which could be hidden behind a plant (or something like that). But in the end he's left us with all the ugly paraphernalia you see in the picture attached, and it's visible right above our kitchen island. Is this really necessary? Any reason why we couldn't put some of it below the island counter? (we have space for it)

 

[davesparks]

That looks a bit special!

For a start that loose earth cable should almost certainly be connected.

Is this quite near to you electricity meter? Could you post a picture of this?

Can you estimate the length of the cable from that isolator to the new consumer unit? The key bit of information here is whether the cable length is more or less than 3 metres.

Is the new CU the only one or is it additional to another one?

Is the cable they have used to feed to CU from this isolator visible at any point? I mean the whole cable with its sheath not just the weirdly sleeved cores we can see in your picture?

 

[bwaj11]

hi davesparks

What you see in the pic is on the other side of my rear well from the meter, which is in an external box facing the garden. So yes, it is very near the meter. (Don't have a pic at the mo, sorry.)

The length of cable from the isolator to the new consumer unit is definitely more than 3 metres. (I'm not sure of the exact route but the distance is >3m as the crow flies). What's the significance of that?

The new CU is the only one, yes.

The cable is a thick black beast (3-4cm diameter) - it's visible where it comes out below the metal box in the pic and where it rises into the CU.

By the way, what is the purpose of that metal box?

 

[James18288]

So it looks like you have had to situate your consumer unit a fair distance from your metering equipment?

The max length of the standard cables from your meter to The consumer unit is 3m. Your electrician has correctly said that the meter tails need mechanical protection if they are to run through the fabric of the house and the thick black cable is known as armoured. The metal box is more than likely where a gland will have been fitted to terminate this armoured cable.

So far so good. however in my opinion, the isolator that has been fitted is not a good choice. As if the consumer unit is further than 3m, then a further protective device should be fitted. That isolated is just a switch and offers no protection. The DNO will provide a fuse/protective device to protect their equipment. You need to provide over current protection as close to their equipment as possible. So a better choice than an isolator would have been a single pole and neutral switch fuse. This would provide the cable run from the meter to the consumer unit with protection that is part of your installation.

the fact that this is visible inside your kitchen is obviously something that needs sorting out as I wouldn’t be happy with that on my worktop from a safety point of view or an aesthetic one.

If I were to do the job and there was nowhere to position an isolator OCPD inside. Why not provide a second meter cupboard out side with the switch fuse and armoured termination in there and run the armoured to where it needs to go? Metering equipment and the associated terminations are never that good looking so best to hide them away! an extra expense, but a lot better than what you have there.

 

[Wilko]

Hi - as above really. Mr Electrician needs to address that green yellow cable floating about. Aesthetically, all of that should be outside. Then there’s the no fuse issue which will just make it bigger when added. I’d get it redone outside as it’s never going to look any better, sorry.

 

[westward10]

I would not be at all surprised if the metal adaptable box is not earthed. The attempt to sleeve those conductors is poor and probably pointless as the sleeving used will offer little or no mechanical protection.

 

[davesparks]

hi davesparks

What you see in the pic is on the other side of my rear well from the meter, which is in an external box facing the garden. So yes, it is very near the meter. (Don't have a pic at the mo, sorry.)

The length of cable from the isolator to the new consumer unit is definitely more than 3 metres. (I'm not sure of the exact route but the distance is >3m as the crow flies). What's the significance of that?

The new CU is the only one, yes.

The cable is a thick black beast (3-4cm diameter) - it's visible where it comes out below the metal box in the pic and where it rises into the CU.

By the way, what is the purpose of that metal box?

3m is the maximum length of cable that is allowed to be protected by the electricity suppliers fuse. This means that you must normally have your own protective device, either fuse or circuit breaker, installed within 3m of the meter.
So where you have that isolator you would normally have what is called a switchfuse, this is a device which incorporates an isolator and a fuse.
I say normally as if you have written permission from the electricity supplier you can in theory have a much longer length of cable protected by their fuse, but they are very unlikely to give such permission.

That is likely to be armoured (SWA) cable if it is that large and has a black sheath.

The metal box is there, I assume, to allow the armoured cable to be correctly terminated using a brass SWA cable gland. The brass SWA cable gland should firmly attached to the metal box and then metal box and cable gland connected to earth.
This connects the steel armour of the cable to earth which is essential for safety.

 

[telectrix]

that lot should have been fitted in the outside meter box. as it is, the only option is to build a box round it (with a door for access).

 

[Strima]

At a guess he's used SWA, terminated into the adaptable box, meaning the conductors need to have some form of mechanical protection around them.

As others have mentioned there should be some form of over-current protection for the cable, TBH that could be very easily remedied using the existing set up.

Access is needed to this equipment for maintenance, repairs etc so could be boxed in with an access hatch.

Not the prettiest work but simple enough to improve.

Do you have a photo of the meter box as this could possibly be moved into there?

Also could you post a picture of your consumer unit and the cable entry into it?

 

[bwaj11]

Thanks everyone for the fantastic ideas and insights. Really helpful. Sounds like an upgrade of some sort is definitely required.

As requested, here are pics of the black cable entering into the CU, and of the rather grotty external meter box. Could all the things on the kitchen wall be squeezed in there?

 

[westward10]

No it would not have fitted in there. They could however have put another meter style enclosure adjacent to it. The cable requires some kind of circuit protection (fusing) regardless.

 

[davesparks]

Well it's not the best work in the world but nothing looks particularly wrong at the CU.

No the switchgear can't go in the meter box, there isn't space for a start.

That earth wire in the meter box also doesn't appear to be connected, is the electrician due to come back and do some more work or have they finished?

Have you received a certificate for the work yet?

 

[westward10]

An earth comes through the wall in the first pic with the supply conductors but doesn't seem apparent in the meter enclosure.

 

[Vortigern]

Did you get a certificate?

 

[bwaj11]

Thank westward10, davesparks, Vortigern.
The electrician is due back this week to finalise things and test. I haven't got a certificate for the work yet.

 

[GBDamo]

Box it in, when a switch fuse has replaced that isolator.

Sorted.

The rest looks quite tidy.

 

[James18288]

The Cu in side looks fairly neat and tidy (from the outside)
I’d have a word with your electrician. From the photos you’ve sent, I’d still say a second meter enclosure outside would be the neatest solution. Let him know that you’re not happy with the installation as it stands, definitely mention the fact you need a switch fuse. I Would be interested to see any certificates that have been issued

 

[telectrix]

plenty room in the meter box. get DNO to replace head with something not out of the 50's, move meter to left, fit SW/F.

 

[bwaj11]

It's out of the early 70s, but point taken telectrix ;-)

 

[suffolkspark]

What sort of cable is that coming out of the meter.... I'm guessing he's cut the seal on that?

 

[Wilko]

The somewhat sad cable sheathing and colour coordinated single and double cable ties indicate (to me) this is Supplier works. The meter appears to be sealed. Making it up as I go - Mr Electrician has slit the meter seal, pulled fuse, removed tails inside at the old CU position, attached isolator and replaced fuse. And not reattached the means of earthing to the swa. Hopefully I am wrong.

 

[Zerax]

It's out of the early 70s, but point taken telectrix ;-)

Don't forget that Tel lived through the 60's... the 70's was a blur after that !
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The electrician is due back this week to finalise things and test.

Would be fun to inform the electrician that after he's 'finalised things' you'll be taking pictures and posting them up on here for comment...

 

[bwaj11]

To update you all, I've given the electrician a grilling on site today, informed by your tips.

On why he hasn't put in a switch fuse rather than an isolator, he said a switch fuse is not necessary because the isolator is already connected to a fuse in the meter box on the other side of the rear wall. (This is my layman's summary of what he said.)

On the loose earth cable - visible both on the kitchen wall and in the meter box - he said it is not in use; it is there for "future proofing" in case "powergen" change the supply cables.

He's coming back on Friday with a colleague to test and certify, so with the sidekick there for a second opinion my plan is to ask "why the heck couldn't you put all this stuff in a secondary meter box on the rear wall?"

 

[suffolkspark]

To update you all, I've given the electrician a grilling on site today, informed by your tips.

On why he hasn't put in a switch fuse rather than an isolator, he said a switch fuse is not necessary because the isolator is already connected to a fuse in the meter box on the other side of the rear wall. (This is my layman's summary of what he said.)

On the loose earth cable - visible both on the kitchen wall and in the meter box - he said it is not in use; it is there for "future proofing" in case "powergen" change the supply cables.

He's coming back on Friday with a colleague to test and certify, so with the sidekick there for a second opinion my plan is to ask "why the heck couldn't you put all this stuff in a secondary meter box on the rear wall?"

He's wrong, and it's a mess, I'd hate to see the rest of his work. If he's getting a "colleague" to come test with him I'd put £10 on him not being registered, if he is registered with NAPIT,NICEIC,ELECSA,STROMA,ECA,SELECT then contact them, its dog rough.

 

[Rockingit]

I was giving an unknown situation the benefit of the doubt on this post - right up until the BS about the 'future proofed' earth cable and now knowing that he can't sign off his own work. If you're left in any doubt come Friday about his mate signing it off regardless of suitability ask one of us on here to take a look - I'm sure someone must be local enough to you.

 

[davesparks]

On why he hasn't put in a switch fuse rather than an isolator, he said a switch fuse is not necessary because the isolator is already connected to a fuse in the meter box on the other side of the rear wall. (This is my layman's summary of what he said.)

"why the heck couldn't you put all this stuff in a secondary meter box on the rear wall?"

Whilst there is a fuse in the meter box it belongs to the electricity supply company and they do not permit it to protect more than 3 metres of your cable, unless you get written permission from them to do so (which you won't)
Your electrician either doesn't understand the rules, or doesn't care about them.

Unless you specifically asked for it to go in a second meter box, and arranged a builder to install a second meter box then I don't see any reason why they would have done that? Personally I would avoid putting this stuff outside if at all possible, I would locate it somewhere less conspicuous or agree beforehand what is to be done, but I would avoid installing it outside if possible.
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I see nothing wrong with the 'future proof' earth cable, if they are anticipating a change to PME from TT.
Though that looks a lot like TNS that they just haven't bothered phoning the DNO to arrange an earth connection on.