Smoke coming from electric meter/fuse box area

[A14n]

Hi just a question, this morning I noticed a 2 gang socket had no power to it, went to check the fuse box/electric meter in the cupboard... and there was a lot of smoke coming out from somewhere? Its not smoking any more. The 2 way gang socket is completely dead. All other outlets seem fine and not affected.

What would be the problem? Is this an expensive job, still waiting to here back from an electrician.

Thanks

 

[onions1066]

Not sure about banking and shaming possibly should remove that post. He has fitted a very cheap basic con unit so as said 400 to do the job properly and would take a full day if you have a full test and all paperwork filled out. Why does he keep starting at 6pm? Would be good to see inside the board. Wonder if gas and water are even bonded in 10mm seeing as we are assuming that overheard line has been converted into a pme system????

 

[A14n]

This earth is connected to the water pipe outside the cupboard and another on the pipe inside near the CU

 

[telectrix]

This earth is connected to the water pipe outside the cupboard and another on the pipe inside near the CU

View attachment 36847

hope he cleaned the paint off under that clamp.

 

[A14n]

hope he cleaned the paint off under that clamp.

It's hard to tell even by close inpection, maybe a little bit scraped off...

 

[onions1066]

Is that near the stop tap? Where's the gas bond?

 

[Taylortwocities]

I've just been looking at the before and after pictures
BEFORE

View attachment 36822

AFTER

View attachment 36839

Once upon a time, this was a TT installation.
It would seem that he has removed the old VoELCB and done a "DIY" conversion of the supply to TNC-S. I thought that this could only be done by the DNO (electrical supplier), and not your general jobbing electrician.

 

[telectrix]

I've just been looking at the before and after pictures
BEFORE

AFTER


Once upon a time, this was a TT installation.
It would seem that he has removed the old VoELCB and done a "DIY" conversion of the supply to TNC-S. I thought that this could only be done by the DNO (electrical supplier), and not your general jobbing electrician.

but is it TNC-S. who knows if there's a N-E link in the head, and who knows if the supply is PME

 

[onions1066]

I know for sure two people who don't know. His electricians!

 

[Dave OCD]

but is it TNC-S. who knows if there's a N-E link in the head, and who knows if the supply is PME

He'll have had the main fuse out to fit the DP block where the old voltage trip once lived, maybe even put in a link himself ! Without seeing inside the board this job is rough as, why leave the main earth that long, no effort made to tidy or secure the tails and you can see the inner insulation on both old and new tails at the new block, shoddy !

 

[davesparks]

for the CU change including certificate and fixing minor problems no more than £400 on my shift.

edit. just seen you rlas post. put the freezer on an extension lead to a working socket.

£400 for doing it out of normal hours? I'd be wanting a lot more for giving up an evening to do it.

 

[Dave OCD]

So you'd want a lot more than £75-£80 an hour Dave ? I couldn't sleep easy charging that to be honest.

 

[onions1066]

£400 for doing it out of normal hours? I'd be wanting a lot more for giving up an evening to do it.

I want to work for you. What's your hourly rate!

 

[A14n]

Ok so all sockets are now working and the landing light except the switches don't seem to be working as they should... Combinations below...

Upstairs switch up, downstairs switch doesn't work.

Upstairs switch down, downstairs switch up - light on

Downstairs switch down, upstairs light switch does not work at all.

 

[DPG]

Ok so all sockets are now working and the landing light except the switches don't seem to be working as they should... Combinations below...

Upstairs switch up, downstairs switch doesn't work.

Upstairs switch down, downstairs switch up - light on

Downstairs switch down, upstairs light switch does not work at all.

You need a refund for the works done as they are blatantly shoddy. You then need to get another sparky to check your system thoroughly. If the obvious stuff is this bad then I'd be worried what hidden nasties there may be.

 

[Midwest]

What is that 'Radio Teleswitch' doing of?

Was it for off peak heating? Might be worth getting that removed by DNO or Supplier. Then get Supplier to reposition meter and replace their tails, then ask the DNO what supply you have, then get another electrician/company in to reinstall CU (perhaps removing half the wooden board, ask DNO permiss' first) and advise on condition of your electrical installation.

I would think long and hard about paying for what's been done so far, get second opinion. If your electrician is not in a scam (government approved scheme ), he's going to have trouble notifying to local building control, without some skulduggery.

Getting something like this done at 6 o'clock at night, is asking for trouble, IMO.

 

[Specialist]

Hmm looking at what your 2 way lighting is doing, then it's pretty obvious that you need to find a decent electrician to look at your wiring ASAP.
As has already been said: If you haven't paid him already then I wouldn't do so.
He certainly doesn't seem to be up to the job. By the way, what certificate did he give you ?.

 

[davesparks]

I want to work for you. What's your hourly rate!

It depends where I'm working, it varies from £35 to £65 per hour

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

I seriously think spmebody needs tp report this so called electrician to the council . trading standards etc.. If hes claiming hes in a scheme then report him. Hes clearly incompetent. There are 2nd year apprentices at my main job who would have done a better job than him.

On similar note i know of an instance locally where when a familys kitchen caught fire from a unattended fryer. The insurance company when they sent adjustor out to look at damage saw the kitchen was all new. He asked about who did works and electrics etc and because they had a dodgy electrician do the work and had no certs it invalidated the insurance so no pay out. It was in t and c's of policy about using competant persons . part p etc... It cost them a couple of grand to put right.

So my advice to the OP is get a proper electrician in or it might cost you dearly.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

I seriously think spmebody needs tp report this so called electrician to the council . trading standards etc.. If hes claiming hes in a scheme then report him. Hes clearly incompetent. There are 2nd year apprentices at my main job who would have done a better job than him.

On similar note i know of an instance locally where when a familys kitchen caught fire from a unattended fryer. The insurance company when they sent adjustor out to look at damage saw the kitchen was all new. He asked about who did works and electrics etc and because they had a dodgy electrician do the work and had no certs it invalidated the insurance so no pay out. It was in t and c's of policy about using competant persons . part p etc... It cost them a couple of grand to put right.

So my advice to the OP is get a proper electrician in or it might cost you dearly.

As the fire was not related to an electrical fault I very much doubt that would stand up to legal scrutiny.

 

[Midwest]

As the fire was not related to an electrical fault I very much doubt that would stand up to legal scrutiny.

Insurance companies will look at any opportunity not to pay out in the event of a claim. I haven't a particular example to give, but have read of countless occasions where they have not paid a claim, because the claimant has not followed the insurance companies T&C's.

General conditions in home insurance T&C's typically state the insurer must inform if 'you are intending to alter or renovate the buildings (though not minor cosmetic changes such as re-decorating)'. If the T&C's state electrical work must be carried out by a competent electrician registered in a scheme (regardless of one's opinion is on that subject ), then I could quite see Gavin's example occurring.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

As the fire was not related to an electrical fault I very much doubt that would stand up to legal scrutiny.

It doesnt matter eitherway as they had improved the kitchen and had a new kitchen ring circuit and cooker circuit. The insurance firm had covered them as the house was. By improving it and then using a iffy spark they had changed what was covered without notifying the insurer. Regardless of t andcs about who does work this is in nearly every policy. You are covered for what you have. If you add an extra bit on or carry out substantial improvements then the insurer has a greater liability so premiuns go up... Basically you tell them or when you claim you risk being told a firm NO.

I am aware of similar clauses in some mortgages that any major improvements. Extensions etc be notified to the bank and again electrical. Gas windows etc be done by approved persons... I wouldnt be surprised if the scams are actually encouraging the insurers to do this more.

 

[telectrix]

I wouldnt be surprised if the scams are actually encouraging the insurers to do this more.

i'd be very surprised if they weren't. they all pi$$ in the same pot.

 

[Specialist]

I seriously think spmebody needs tp report this so called electrician to the council . trading standards etc.. If hes claiming hes in a scheme then report him. Hes clearly incompetent. There are 2nd year apprentices at my main job who would have done a better job than him.

On similar note i know of an instance locally where when a familys kitchen caught fire from a unattended fryer. The insurance company when they sent adjustor out to look at damage saw the kitchen was all new. He asked about who did works and electrics etc and because they had a dodgy electrician do the work and had no certs it invalidated the insurance so no pay out. It was in t and c's of policy about using competant persons . part p etc... It cost them a couple of grand to put right.

So my advice to the OP is get a proper electrician in or it might cost you dearly.

Not disagreeing that the OP needs to call a real sparky, but think the above case is just another Insurance company cop out, would love to see that come to court.
Typical loss adjuster though, anything to save the company money & up his bonus.

 

[Midwest]

They, the insurance companies, are in it to make money. Anything which affects their profits, which includes claims, is frowned upon by them.

There's always the Ombudsman to refer to, and you could take them to court. But that does take time & money. Best seek to comply with the T&C's.

 

[DPG]

It's the same with cars. A lot of people don't notify their insurance company if they modify it. You might well get away with it on a smallish claim, but have a fight with a 70k porsche and they will investigate fully and ain't going to pay out.

 

[A14n]

This is the certificate he left us with. In regards to the switch it doesn't look like he has touched the switches... Just restored power to it. I did tinker with the switches myself a long time ago. Maybe I wired it up wrong?

 

[telectrix]

wrong certificate for a CU replacement. it's just for an altered circuit, which must be wired in superconductors with a R2 of 0.01 ohms. and conductors of 25mm and 16mm??? is the circuit for a cannabis farm? could look closer but my eyes are watering.

Total Mickey Mouse.

 

[Specialist]

Agreed tel, like his IR readings as well. Looks like 2.2 Gigohms across the board, never had readings like that on trs years ago never mind when as he says it's perished.
What a load of Bul***t.

 

[onions1066]

What I actually find the most worrying part is he clearly has some knowledge but chooses to rip people off instead and prey on their lack of knowledge.

 

[A14n]

So should he of recommended the rewire? I'd rather not have that done if it's not essential. As we have hardwood flooring and laminate in all rooms. It would be an absolute nightmare!