UK Looped Service

[Mrtilly]

Hi Guys,
I have a looped service in my house, concerned about the cable going next door. It looks old and brittle (I have not touched) . It was installed about 1955, do you think SP Energy Networks would replace the cable

 

[loz2754]

Agreed that looks potentially dangerous. I'd give your supplier or DNO a call.

 

[UNG]

Is next door earthed? looks like the conduit has been earthed at some point

Call the DNO SP Energy down here they normally attend site within 2 hours

 

[pc1966]

Is next door earthed? looks like the conduit has been earthed at some point

I think it has a wire going in to the ground/concrete/chipboard covering big hole.

But it looks skanky as hell and really need the DNO's attention!

 

[Mrtilly]

Is next door earthed? looks like the conduit has been earthed at some point

Call the DNO SP Energy down here they normally attend site within 2 hours

I think the earth wire was cut off when they replaced the old black fuses

 

[Mrtilly]

Is next door earthed? looks like the conduit has been earthed at some point

Call the DNO SP Energy down here they normally attend site within 2 hours

Hi thanks I have sent them a message and photo of it. However I wanted some advice from you guys in case the try to say it's ok.

 

[pc1966]

The conduit containing those wires must be earthed, and well enough to deal with a really big fault. No idea if it is earthed somewhere out of sight though.

The other issue is they are almost certainly VIR (vulcanised Indian rubber) insulated wires. In most cases the rubber perishes and becomes brittle so dangerous if anything causes movement. They might be OK, miracles do happen, but you have the right attitude of not touching them at all.

The results of a short anywhere exposed to you has the very real risk of 3rd degree burns from the arc-flash and possible eyesight damage, not to mention a house fire risk and electric shock.

 

[UNG]

Hi thanks I have sent them a message and photo of it. However I wanted some advice from you guys in case the try to say it's ok.

If they say it is ok there is little you can do other than make a note of the contact with them for future reference, I had something similar a few years ago, I'm surprised they didn't swap the cable when they changed the service head

 

[Mrtilly]

The conduit containing those wires must be earthed, and well enough to deal with a really big fault. No idea if it is earthed somewhere out of sight though.

The other issue is they are almost certainly VIR (vulcanised Indian rubber) insulated wires. In most cases the rubber perishes and becomes brittle so dangerous if anything causes movement. They might be OK, miracles do happen, but you have the right attitude of not touching them at all.

The results of a short anywhere exposed to you has the very real risk of 3rd degree burns from the arc-flash and possible eyesight damage, not to mention a house fire risk and electric shock.

Hi thanks no earth at my end there was but was cut of when they changed the service head. Just had the faulty meter changed (that's another story!) guy said he would also mention the old cables in his report.

 

[Mrtilly]

I think it has a wire going in to the ground/concrete/chipboard covering big hole.

But it looks skanky as hell and really need the DNO's attention!

My cable is earthed but the cable to next door is no, it was cut off when service head was replaced some year ago.

 

[westward10]

Those conductors are probably PBJ (PolyButyl Jute).

 

[7029 dave]

OP keep us updated, I would be interested what the DNO say/do.

 

[Mrtilly]

OP keep us updated, I would be interested what the DNO say/do.

Will do, I will be pushing it if they don't do any thing about it. (just had a problem with my electric meter my energy supplier was not very helpful. So I explained to them if any thing were to happen they would end up court. Result emergency call out on Friday night meter replaced today)

 

[Micktw68]

They’ll change that. 100%. Did plenty of looped service replacements when I worked for the LEB that were in better condition.

 

[Mrtilly]

OP keep us updated, I would be interested what the DNO say/do.