Hello All! Problem with Basement service power cable, dangerous?

[Deleted member 85661]

Hello guys and gals.




Not that long ago, we purchased a 200 year old grade II listed terrace property, which has a relatively large basement!


The problem I have is with the electric service cable which runs right across the back of said basement (in the air!) to the main fuse block, then meter etc. The cable appears to be in a very sorry state.


I took a video to show its condition (tried at least). I can't visibly see any exposed metal, but then I didn't want to poke it about!


Would I be right to say that this service cable should be replaced (or at least inspected), by the electric company (SSE)? If so and they said yes it needs to be replaced, who is liable for the bill?


If they did change the cable, would ideally not want a new one in the same position making the rear basement area, unusable. Would it be in my rights to tell them to route it out of the way. Its potentially a livable space (if done up and the cable moved!).


Appreciate I should be directing these questions to SSE or alike, probably, but trying to do a little research first and your thoughts on this would be most welcomed!

Bad service cable - YouTube - video of said cable.


Thanks,
Chris.

 

[telectrix]

i'd say that the cable needs replacing and fixing in an appropriate manner. the cost will be borne by SSE entirely. phone them and tell them that it looks dangerous..

 

[Richard Burns]

I can see that SSE would very likely come in inspect it and then just joint the cable where it passes through the wall!:dunce2:
At no cost to yourself.

Looking at it I would not expect that to be the original cable route and I think that at some distant point someone moved the service head.

It would be unlikely that SSE would reroute the cable a large distance for free (unless you get a worker on a good day), however they should provide the service to repair the cable and correctly fix the cable against the wall.

They will always be looking for chargeable events so stress the damage aspect more than the cable run, but the hazard of ducking under a supply cable could be emphasised!

 

[telectrix]

if you get nowhere with SSE, you could always get the missus to hang the washing on it.

 

[Deleted member 85661]

Haha, its the dampest basement in the country! No chance of drying washing

Fortunately, we don't live at the property. It's a commercial premises with three studio flats and a shop. I'm sure its the constant drips of water from above street level that has corroded the sheath (think that's what you call it) over time perhaps.

 

[driverman]

Contact SSE, take it from there. They could dig joint hole where cable enters cellar, cut it and replace cable in cellar to existing position. However by todays standards most DNO's dont like meter positions below ground level due to flooding risk etc. But yours is existing, depends where the line is drawn.
If moved to a new suitable position, as Grade 2 listed building more than likely will have to be to an internal position but on an external wall. The onus would then be on you / electrical contractor to reconnect the electrical installation to the new supply.

 

[driverman]

Hello guys and gals.




Not that long ago, we purchased a 200 year old grade II listed terrace property, which has a relatively large basement!


The problem I have is with the electric service cable which runs right across the back of said basement (in the air!) to the main fuse block, then meter etc. The cable appears to be in a very sorry state.


I took a video to show its condition (tried at least). I can't visibly see any exposed metal, but then I didn't want to poke it about!


Would I be right to say that this service cable should be replaced (or at least inspected), by the electric company (SSE)? If so and they said yes it needs to be replaced, who is liable for the bill?


If they did change the cable, would ideally not want a new one in the same position making the rear basement area, unusable. Would it be in my rights to tell them to route it out of the way. Its potentially a livable space (if done up and the cable moved!).


Appreciate I should be directing these questions to SSE or alike, probably, but trying to do a little research first and your thoughts on this would be most welcomed!

Bad service cable - YouTube - video of said cable.


Thanks,
Chris.

Been a while now, any update?

 

[Deleted member 85661]

Hi, SSE sent a engineer to have a look. Refused to go actually step into the cellar and properly look at the cable and said, that's normal and no issue. He also said, if you hang on it, it would most likely break and go bang. Go figure.

so the engineer signed it off as no trouble found. Leaving me with a cable I can't swing on it seems.

 

[driverman]

Hi, SSE sent a engineer to have a look. Refused to go actually step into the cellar and properly look at the cable and said, that's normal and no issue. He also said, if you hang on it, it would most likely break and go bang. Go figure.

so the engineer signed it off as no trouble found. Leaving me with a cable I can't swing on it seems.

Ask for another visit. Why would he not enter the cellar? Safety reasons? Is the meter sited in the cellar?