Did I Do Good?

GB.Kayak · May 8, 2015

Chopped through a cable with a spade ... did I do a good repair ... ?

mechelec · May 8, 2015

I've seen worse. Did it still work? if so I wouldn't worry about it : )

Richard Burns · May 8, 2015

You covered up those coulouredy bits that people hate to see, must be OK:cowboy::2guns::bomb2:

GB.Kayak · May 9, 2015

... I was hoping for a bit more 'bite' than that ... should perhaps be in another thread! Our garden; supply to pond pump(s) in uPVC conduit < 2 " under the surface. Appalling repair with ~ kilohm insulation resistance! Probably installed in ~ '80s, rubber insulated cable ... no RCD in sight! Was this a 'fail' according to regulations when originally installed?

Richard Burns · May 9, 2015

The rubber insulated cable is probably OK, the rest is rubbish.
Not deep enough, not enough mechanical protection, no marker tape, no cover tiles and not suitable for burial.
Probably seen in a million homes around the country, unfortunately.

Marvo · May 9, 2015

It might have been there since the 80's but it looks like typical DIY and generally shoddy regardless of age. Looking on the bright side I'd rather trench than chase any day of the week so a couple of hours with a spade and it's easily replaced with an SWA cable that will last pretty much indefinately. Also RCD's are a lot cheaper nowadays than they were in the 80's

ipf · May 9, 2015

Some moaning going on here......can't see the join.....better than Ernie Wise's wig.....what's the problem :hair2:

GB.Kayak · May 10, 2015

Richard Burns said:
The rubber insulated cable is probably OK, the rest is rubbish.
Not deep enough, not enough mechanical protection, no marker tape, no cover tiles and not suitable for burial.
Probably seen in a million homes around the country, unfortunately.

Marvo said:
It might have been there since the 80's but it looks like typical DIY and generally shoddy regardless of age. Looking on the bright side I'd rather trench than chase any day of the week so a couple of hours with a spade and it's easily replaced with an SWA cable that will last pretty much indefinately. Also RCD's are a lot cheaper nowadays than they were in the 80's

I was thinking more about the acceptability of garden 'appliances' wired without an RCD! It was wired up to a BS 1363 13 A plug indoors. The 'funniest' bit was the plastic pattress box and 13 A socket with at best IP2X placed under 2 plastic flower pots for protection. My Dad 'uncovered' the dirty deed as he was rehabilitating the garden. One of the patress screws seized solid as I attempted to remove the faceplate and the terminal screws in the faceplate were immoveable! I strongly suspect that the repair was carried out by SNP 'card carrying' local 'tradesman' ... offering electrical and plumbing services. He is on the Gas Safe register; if his heating work is like his electrical work I fear for his other customers' safety. He was the previous owner of the property!

Farmelectrics · May 10, 2015

Get it done properly

GB.Kayak · May 11, 2015

farmelectrics said:
Get it done properly

... if we keep some kind of water 'feature' in the garden ... and I ever get around to dealing 'properly' with the electrics in this house then I will do it 'properly'! Until then ... the unsafe nature of this 'temporary' installation has meant that it has not been used since we arrived just under 2 years ago and it has now been removed altogether. I admit to starting the thread for a 'response' and I fear, f ,you misinterpreted my previous post ... I am not suggesting that it was ever anything but appalling workmanship. However, as I was not an electrician in the '80s I am interested whether, when originally installed, it was compliant. My 'gut' tells me that it was not compliant then either!

Richard Burns · May 11, 2015

The interior socket outside would have been non compliant, the "repair" also, the conduit is not specified for direct burial, I doubt whether RCD protection would be required it is mainly recommended for cables that may get cut or damaged, this cable is for fixed installation (though probably not sufficiently protected by the conduit) and the burial method would be non compliant, actually it is hard to find anything compliant about it, probably the actual pump is suitable for the location in which it used, that is about it!

GB.Kayak · May 11, 2015

Richard Burns said:
The interior socket outside would have been non compliant, the "repair" also, the conduit is not specified for direct burial, I doubt whether RCD protection would be required it is mainly recommended for cables that may get cut or damaged, this cable is for fixed installation (though probably not sufficiently protected by the conduit) and the burial method would be non compliant, actually it is hard to find anything compliant about it, probably the actual pump is suitable for the location in which it used, that is about it!

Thanks RB, I thought as much. I imagine that it was the same individual that wired a 'RFC' with each leg of the 'ring' in a separate OCPD! I worked that one out when I managed to do a partial EI prior to our bid for the property. However, when we finally took possession of the property some months later; it took me a little while to work out why I couldn't isolate the cooker extractor fan which was wired on the 'ring' circuit, despite trying to switch off all the OCPDs separately!