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

 

[Specialist]

Well if you call being able to write a fake report knowledge then I guess you could say he has some.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Since when have you certified a CU replacement on a minor works certificate? All very suspect if you ask me. Something just doesn't seem right about this whole job. I wouldn't let him anywhere near my house. Can we verify if the certificate is genuine or not?

 

[A14n]

He said we have to call the electricity board and get them to remove those perished cables.

 

[Specialist]

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!

If and I do say If you have rubber covered wiring & wiring with no earth conductors then yes, you need a rewire.
Please take the advice already given to you, by several of us & get a proper electrical contractor in to look at it.

That "Certificate" you've been given, really isn't worth the paper it's written on.

 

[A14n]

Are those the rubber wires he's referring to? The ones he advised to get the electricity board to replace (free of charge)

 

[onions1066]

Are those the rubber wires he's referring to? The ones he advised to get the electricity board to replace (free if charge)

View attachment 36877

They won't replace them they are after the meter. All they will do is put you an isolator in. I can't understand why your electrician who must of pulled the main fuse didn't connect straight into the meter??

 

[Toneyz]

This from a NICEIC Approved Contractor (notice not signed off by Q.S.) unless unauthorised use of NICEIC certificates. What sort of test/inspection took place to existing circuits prior to re- connecting.

 

[telectrix]

and where's his niceic enrolment number. bet he's not niceic at all. in which case, it's fraud.

 

[onions1066]

You guys are so cynical

 

[Specialist]

Hi A14n: Looking at the certificate then no those aren't the wires, he specifies on the cooker and lighting circuits.

 

[Toneyz]

Are those the rubber wires he's referring to? The ones he advised to get the electricity board to replace (free of charge)

View attachment 36877

We're not even getting the basics right here like getting the insulation into the enclosure.

 

[Specialist]

They won't replace them they are after the meter. All they will do is put you an isolator in. I can't understand why your electrician who must of pulled the main fuse didn't connect straight into the meter??

Good question, especially as the meter seal seems to already have been cut.

 

[davesparks]

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!

If what he has written is correct then in my opinion the replacement of the rubber cable in the cooker and lighting circuits should have been a higher priority than replacing the consumer unit.
personally I would refuse to carry out any work on your installation without first properly inspecting it and getting it agreed in writing that all such dangerous items will be fixed.

 

[Specialist]

Yeah but Dave I think you've missed a vital point buddy: Your a real spark that takes pride in doing your work properly, this guy was just a chancer out for money.

 

[Toneyz]

Yeah but Dave I think you've missed a vital point buddy: Your a real spark that takes pride in doing your work properly, this guy was just a chancer out for money.

And this seems to becoming more common these days with the Electrical Trainee and younger electricians coming out of apprenticeships NOTE-- NOT ALL

 

[Pete999]

And this seems to becoming more common these days with the Electrical Trainee and younger electricians coming out of apprenticeships NOTE-- NOT ALL

You missed "Boil in the Bag Sparkies"Ant.

 

[Specialist]

Unfortunately your right & it's getting worse.

 

[Specialist]

You missed "Boil in the Bag Sparkies"Ant

Pete, ya gotta explain that one to me sometime mate

 

[Toneyz]

Pete, ya gotta explain that one to me sometime mate

And me come on Pete explain all

 

[Midwest]

Thing is, when it's getting late at night, it sometimes difficult to remember which form to use. Suppose it saves on paperwork

OP, just curious about your new consumer unit, could you post a picture with the lid lifted up (one on a hinge)?

To verify if your electrician is in a scheme, you can try this link (think you said he was in NICEIC?);

Competent Persons Register | Home - http://www.competentperson.co.uk/

He should notify your local building control as well for the CU change, if he's in a scheme. If he's not in a scheme, its going to complicate things a bit. It is the home owners responsibility ultimately.

 

[A14n]

Where are these rubber wires located for the cooker and lighting? Inside the CU? Sorry I'm no electrician.

 

[Midwest]

Where are these rubber wires located for the cooker and lighting? Inside the CU? Sorry I'm no electrician.

The suggestion, is that the circuits for the cooker & lighting are wired in vulcanised rubber, i.e. their whole length;

Historic Mains Cables - DIYWiki - http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?title=Historic_Mains_Cables

 

[A14n]

Thing is, when it's getting late at night, it sometimes difficult to remember which form to use. Suppose it saves on paperwork

OP, just curious about your new consumer unit, could you post a picture with the lid lifted up (one on a hinge)?

To verify if your electrician is in a scheme, you can try this link (think you said he was in NICEIC?);

Competent Persons Register | Home - http://www.competentperson.co.uk/

He should notify your local building control as well for the CU change, if he's in a scheme. If he's not in a scheme, its going to complicate things a bit. It is the home owners responsibility ultimately.

I see 1 company name that matches on there, but isn't anywhere near where I live?

 

[davesparks]

Where are these rubber wires located for the cooker and lighting? Inside the CU? Sorry I'm no electrician.

How on earth should we know without looking at your installation?

 

[Pete999]

Pete, ya gotta explain that one to me sometime mate

Nothing to explain in all honesty, I'm not the person to claim the cudos from someone else, it was a member of the forum who first introduced me to this description (Kennyken) get the feeling it may be the Australian equivalent of the ubiquitous Electrical Trainee anyway I like it better, thanks Kenny for the pleasure it has given me, I think it's a cracker of a phrase sort of runs off of your tounge "Boil in the Bag Sparkie" wonderfulnice one kenny

 

[Specialist]

Where are these rubber wires located for the cooker and lighting? Inside the CU? Sorry I'm no electrician.

If they are at the fusebox then they would go from there to whatever circuit they serve i.e within walls, under floorboards etc.
Without actually seeing the installation we have no way of knowing exactly where.

 

[A14n]

The suggestion, is that the circuits for the cooker & lighting are wired in vulcanised rubber, i.e. their whole length;

Historic Mains Cables - DIYWiki - http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?title=Historic_Mains_Cables

So the cable inside the walls? The only visible cables I can see are all PVC... The cable the cooker is attached to is Grey PVC...

 

[A14n]

If they are at the fusebox then they would go from there to whatever circuit they serve i.e within walls, under floorboards etc.
Without actually seeing the installation we have no way of knowing exactly where.

I've seen under the floor boards before, and they are all grey pvc cables... How did the guy know they are rubber if he hasn't even looked??

 

[Specialist]

Nothing to explain in all honesty, I'm not the person to claim the cudos from someone else, it was a member of the forum who first introduced me to this description (Kennyken) get the feeling it may be the Australian equivalent of the ubiquitous Electrical Trainee anyway I like it better, thanks Kenny for the pleasure it has given me, I think it's a cracker of a phrase sort of runs off of your tounge "Boil in the Bag Sparkie" wonderfulnice one kenny

Agreed, it's a brilliant saying. Talking of Kenny, any idea where he's dissapeared to ?.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

I see 1 company name that matches on there, but isn't anywhere near where I live?

You should contact the NICEIC without delay regarding this cert. If this chancer is not an approved contractor and using their logo they will pursue him and take legal action.
If guilty he will pay a hefty fine, if he is approved you have a justifiable claim against his work and incorrect certification.