• IMPORTANT: Please note that nobody on this forum should be seeking from or providing advice to those who are not competent and / or trained and qualified in their field (local laws permitting). There is a discussion thread on this global industry-wide matter HERE. This also has more information about the warning with regards to sharing electrical advice in some countries. By using this forum you do so in agreement to this.

Discuss UFH T&E Cable Melting / Heat Damage in the Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

Welcome to ElectriciansForums.net - The American Electrical Advice Forum
Head straight to the main forums to chat by click here:   American Electrical Advice Forum

Andrew9

EF
Reaction score
3
I was tracing some electrical cabling last night and noticed a ~6" section of 2.5 T&E cable that appears to have been subject to heat damage and the plastic has started to melt. It's about 1m away from the CU in the garage and connected to a 32amp MCB. It's a radial circuit that powers a small 4 sqm section of UFH int the utility room. I have no info on UFH as it was installed before we bought the house. Luckily we never really used it.

So from what I can see the circuit looks something like this:

32 Amp MCB (Contactum B Type) --> Damaged section of cable --> Switched fuse on garage wall --> into wall cavity --> Once it goes into the wall cavity i have no idea where it goes.

Needless to say, I've isolated the circuit at the breaker and won't be turning back on until an electrician has advised and fixed. There's a second identical circuit that provides power to the UFH in the kitchen. I've also isolated this despite there being no visible damage.

I'm interested to see what you guys think the problem is. Did the MCB fail or is 2.5 T&E no suitable for a 32amp circuit? Do you think there's a fault with the UFH or maybe just a faulty run of cable?

One good outcome from all this is that it's made me realise i need a fire alarm and CO2 extinguisher in the garage.


UFH T&E Cable Melting / Heat Damage Capture.JPG - EletriciansForums.netUFH T&E Cable Melting / Heat Damage Capture3.JPG - EletriciansForums.net
 
I would say that damage is actually caused by a plumbers blow torch.

With the PVC turning white like that, it's been exposed to a very hot heat for a short period of time.

The cable has been burned from the outside.

Edit:

A 32amp MCB isn't ideal for the situation. However not against the rules as it is a fixed load. Providing it meet other circuit tests that should have been completed on installation. I can't see UFH being anything other than a resistive load, so little to no inrush when powering up.
 
Is it possible that the plumber did it with his blow lamp? It's very close to the soldered joints, and the damage appears to be at the bottom edge only.

If not then it's very very localised, and could possibly be e a cable fault.
[automerge]1566987498[/automerge]
Rob got there before me. Only by seconds though - I'll get there next time!
 
agree with both above posts. deffo the wet-pants has been let loose within a mile of the cables. recipe for disaster. having said that, a 2.5mm radial circuit should be protected by a MCB <25A.25A MCB is not common, so a 20A or a 16A is usual. 4sq.m of ufh is generally < 1kW, so even a 10A would suffice.
 
I think you're both right. Hadn't even considered that. I had a new boiler fitted over the winter and the plumber needed to replace the existing pipe work with a wider diameter pipe. What an idiot. He'd have definitely noticed that but chose not to say anything. I couldn't stop him banging on about the importance of Gas regulation and health and safety.

So I guess the good news is i just need to replace the stretch of damaged cable.

Thanks guys
 
You would have thought he'd have put a heatshield over the cables. And yes, he would have noticed the damage and not said anything - very disappointing. I'd show him the damage to be honest - you should at least ask for your first boiler service to be done FOC.
 
plumbers have limited vision. they can't see anything apart from their pipes and the fact that sh!t flows downhill.
[automerge]1566989160[/automerge]
tell the wet-pants to invest in 1 of these:
UFH T&E Cable Melting / Heat Damage 1566989163584 - EletriciansForums.net
 
Last edited:
You would have thought he'd have put a heatshield over the cables. And yes, he would have noticed the damage and not said anything - very disappointing. I'd show him the damage to be honest - you should at least ask for your first boiler service to be done FOC.
No way he's coming back. I'll just make sure the local community know what he's capable of.
 
plumbers have limited vision. they can't see anything apart from their pipes and the fact that sh!t flows downhill.
[automerge]1566989160[/automerge]
tell the wet-pants to invest in 1 of these:
View attachment 51706

Don't they have some heat proof material for instances like this. (You know what I mean... :tearsofjoy:) Some think that protects the surrounding area...
 
If the cable runs to a switch fuse on the wall of the garage, an is all surface as the photo. Wouldn't take an electrician more than an hour to replace for you.

Being in London though, you could be looking at a little bit higher cost involved, especially if there's no parking nearby, congestion zones etc etc...
 
You would have thought he'd have put a heatshield over the cables. And yes, he would have noticed the damage and not said anything - very disappointing. I'd show him the damage to be honest - you should at least ask for your first boiler service to be done FOC.

Sorry mate. I must have missed your post or I wouldn't have posted a similar post.
I gave you a 'love' rating, hoping for forgiveness..
 
Out of curiosity, is replacing the cable myself in breach of any regulations? Looks pretty straight forward.

Why are you offering to replace it mate?
If a car smashes into your car would you offer to fix your own car or get the person who caused the damage to pay for it?
 
I personally think this is a job which could be done by a competent DIYer, but others may disagree. See what opinions you get.
It's more the legalities i'm thinking about. I'd be rubbish in jail.
Why are you offering to replace it mate?
If a car smashes into your car would you offer to fix your own car or get the person who caused the damage to pay for it?
You're right of course but is it worth the hassle? He could argue it wasn't him. I don't want to fall out with him over a piece of damaged cable and risk future avoidance if i have a problem with the boiler. I know that's quite a defeatist attitude but i'm old enough end ugly enough to know which battles to pick.
 
I'd find a new plumber; if he's daft enough to do it in the first place, and unprofessional enough not to appraise you of his blunder, then I wouldn't be having him work at my property again.

We're all human and can make mistakes, but honesty should come first. That wouldn't of cost him a few pounds, or a favour with the sparks he must know, to put right.
 
It's more the legalities i'm thinking about. I'd be rubbish in jail.

You're right of course but is it worth the hassle? He could argue it wasn't him. I don't want to fall out with him over a piece of damaged cable and risk future avoidance if i have a problem with the boiler. I know that's quite a defeatist attitude but i'm old enough end ugly enough to know which battles to pick.
Any decent tradesman wouldn’t have done it in the first place and if by mistake would certainly rectify it for free......I wouldn’t want him back if he doesn’t
 

Reply to UFH T&E Cable Melting / Heat Damage in the Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net

Electrical Forum

Welcome to the Electrical Forum at ElectriciansForums.net. The friendliest electrical forum online. General electrical questions and answers can be found in the electrical forum.
This website was designed, optimised and is hosted by Untold Media. Operating under the name Untold Media since 2001.
Back
Top