Recommending work that may not be nessescary

[leep82]

Been to look at a job this evening, where British Gas have been to install a new smart meter. Having done there work they have given the homeowner a notice of potentially dangerous situation, and that they should contact an electrician ( me ). The notice itself states that the henley block and main isolator should be upgraded. And so i arrive at the property this evening to find this.

Ignoring the absolite rats nest of wiring, it seems the issues raised by the british gas engineer is inadequate IP protection to both the henley block and main cut out as he has fixed a temporary sheild over both to stop anything getting into either enclosure.

Now back to the wiring. Bearing in mind that the homeowner is an elderley lady living on her own, would i be wrong to recommend a new distibution board, bringing it all up to current regs and tidying it all up. As you can see theres one rcd that is doing all lighting, sockets, shower etc and one that is providing protection for a new stair lift that has been installed. I dont think this is providing enough in the way of limiting the inconvenience to her in the event of a fault. There are also rewireable fuses in use and i dont see how she would be able to replace any of them should they blow, least of all as they arnt even the most accessible to get at.

I dont want the customer to feel i am creating work if i could just resolve the issues originally highlighted by the british has engineer and walk away happy. Ive recently made the jump to go self employed so any advice would be appreciated

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[Pete999]

Been to look at a job this evening, where British Gas have been to install a new smart meter. Having done there work they have given the homeowner a notice of potentially dangerous situation, and that they should contact an electrician ( me ). The notice itself states that the henley block and main isolator should be upgraded. And so i arrive at the property this evening to find this.

Ignoring the absolite rats nest of wiring, it seems the issues raised by the british gas engineer is inadequate IP protection to both the henley block and main cut out as he has fixed a temporary sheild over both to stop anything getting into either enclosure.

Now back to the wiring. Bearing in mind that the homeowner is an elderley lady living on her own, would i be wrong to recommend a new distibution board, bringing it all up to current regs and tidying it all up. As you can see theres one rcd that is doing all lighting, sockets, shower etc and one that is providing protection for a new stair lift that has been installed. I dont think this is providing enough in the way of limiting the inconvenience to her in the event of a fault. There are also rewireable fuses in use and i dont see how she would be able to replace any of them should they blow, least of all as they arnt even the most accessible to get at.

I dont want the customer to feel i am creating work if i could just resolve the issues originally highlighted by the british has engineer and walk away happy. Ive recently made the jump to go self employed so any advice would be appreciated

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What are the cotton buds for? got wax in your ear? probably could do with updating, quote for an EICR see what the Old Lady wants to do, or better still speak to her family explain the situation, know one like being accused of ripping off the elderly, not saying that's what you would do, so that's why it may be better to speak to her family.

 

[leep82]

What are the cotton buds for? got wax in your ear?

Pardon?

 

[Pete999]

Pardon?

Say again

 

[leep82]

Say again

I'll do the jokes around ear! Seriously though what are your thoughts. Sorry just seen your other comment

 

[snowhead]

Have B.G notified the DNO re the cutout, that their meter fixer has opened, resealed then deemed it to be potentially dangerous?
And also fixed the Transmitter?? for the Smart meter sideways, with the cable coming down into it, defeating any I.P it had.

 

[leep82]

Probably not

 

[Leesparkykent]

Nothing wrong with offering advice on the convenience of having circuit breakers over rewirable fuses and minimising disruption by putting circuits on RCBO's or across RCD's.

 

[7029 dave]

Why is there a shield round that double pole henley block, shiners maybe.?

 

[Pete999]

Why is there a shield round that double pole henley block, shiners maybe.?

BGs idea of increasing the IP rating I should imagine

 

[leep82]

Why is there a shield round that double pole henley block, shiners maybe.?

The knockouts have been removed, so i think its been done as a quick fix

 

[mache]

With Pete on this one, ask her get her family to speak to you to talk through options.

 

[westward10]

Looks a mess but mess isn't necessarily dangerous. Have you enquired whether she experiences nuisance tripping. Suggest an EICR advising this may throw up all sorts of problems as an outcome. Replace the SERVICE TERMINAL BLOCK (calling it a Henley is like meggering a circuit or hoovering the carpet).

 

[snowhead]

When Henley met Lucy there were Sparks everywhere.

 

[sparkdog]

Stick some sealer in the knockouts.

 

[ukiri]

I agree that its a mess, but the cut out and henley block are on the supply side ? The lid looks burnt and cracked on the henley block and the rcd has no ip on the out going terminals.Guess this is what happens when you let gas fitters change electrical meters.

 

[ukiri]

Funnily enough this month Professional Electrican has a piece on "Thousands of new meter swappers need to be trained up" for the expanded smart meter roll out. No mention of what to do with them when all the meters are done but says it's a good opertunity for people to swap careers!

 

[LankyWill]

although not necessarily needed, the lot could do with a tidy up. One board serving all circuits and consoling the henley block with the process. We had a client at work with a similar setup, in the end we got her son to come around and explained it to him. They agreed and that was that, and we gave her a demo on rcd's and mcb

 

[The Ghost]

I must say I am curious as to what is at the left of the picture.

 

[PEG]

Always difficult to judge a situation,merely from a picture and a brief synopsis,but what i DO know,is,if we are doing all the work,BG have told folk they need,this time next year,Rodney,we'll ALL be millionaires...

Not the worst work i have witnessed from this vendor,which,amongst the many examples of a future mis-selling investigation,one that sticks out,was a "helpful" BG operative,who completely condemned an elderly neighbours electrical set-up,quoting a possible £4500 for rectification...but before leaving,he repaired the lady's lounge cabinet lighting,by connecting it's two core bell-wire lead,to a plug top...

If they had spent less money on swollen headed adverts for their sales attack,and more on training and compliance...they might have avoided the future mire they are surely going to encounter.

And don't start me on "smart" meters...that Usual Suspects II script aint washing with me...