One of those easy jobs that’s turned sour

[littlespark]

Add a few sockets to existing install....holiday cottage. partition walls, back to back with other sockets. First one went without problem. Onto number 2.
Plug in socket and see to identify mcb..... buzzes constantly.... off, off, off..... hmmm. Not on any of these socket circuits? Turned off whole board. Still buzzing!
Might be off this other board marked “shower”?
Nope. Still buzzing.

How the heck???


Ok, homeowner.... where’s the meter box?
Outside? Ok.

Opens up to find this.



Circuit marked “sub main” is the entire rest of house...
the 20A supplies the socket in question, and another I found behind the sofa. (2 radials from one OCPD)
Cover off, just for photograph.



Blimey.

Red tape round a black cable and black tape round a red cable. That’s a t&e supplying the house db.
Tails supplying this don’t look substantial enough imho.

I also need to add rcd protection to the circuits I’m working on.
Guest plugs something in, trips the RCBO outside in the meter box.... needs the triangle key to get in to reset.

I’ll suggest rewiring those sockets back to the house db and do away with the meter box crap.

 

[plugsandsparks]

Sure is out of the box thinking.........

 

[Dustydazzler]

That’s just plain dirty , I would be ripping that lash up straight out....

 

[Toneyz]

I suppose it was wired to 15th edition where supplementary RCD protection was not required if you were installing a back to back you could have fitted an RCD socket but I don't think it now complies.

 

[littlespark]

I’m changing the mcb’s to RCBO to comply with new regs....
Im going to have to do something with that meter box though