Is this NICIEC extractor fan installation safe?

David Thomas · Nov 8, 2018

Hi,

Quick Q from a newbie. I had a NICIEC registered electrician install an isolation switch and extractor fan in my downstairs bathroom. I’m now replacing one of the down lights and found what is a surprising mess of wires in the false ceiling, all joined together with a terminal block (centre is neutral, left and right are live).

The grey cable leads to the isolation switch and the terminal block has been installed by the electricians. They’ve twisted the earth wire onto an existing twisted arrangement.

Is this safe/correct? I found it surprising from an Australian perspective but am open to being told that this is how things are done in Britain.

If this isn’t right, what should I do before adding the downloght? Put the terminal block in a junction box? Solder then sleeve twisted earthing wires?

My wife is back in an hour and I want everything back in the ceiling then, so prompt responses appreciated!

[ElectriciansForums.net] Is this NICIEC extractor fan installation safe?

Octopus · Nov 9, 2018

I hate to suggest you spend more money but from what you'v written here, suggests that you should get a different, local spark, via recommendation to undertake an EICR.............

GMES · Nov 9, 2018

I haven't read all the thread but if you are worried and it sounds like you should be then take Murdoch's advice and get another electrician in to check it all.

markythesparky · Nov 10, 2018

David Thomas said:
Chris, it’s a 7.5kw induction hob that can be wired into a two phase supply, the idea I think being that by having each half of the job on a different phase, it’s a bit nicer to the DNO. I only have a single phase meter, so it’s necessary to bridge the wiring in the terminal block
on the hob.

My wife pointed out to me that the left two burners were giving an error message. I lifted out the hob and checked the wiring and found only one of the phase inputs had been connected (the rightmost connectors in the terminal block).

If this guy or madam is a qualified electrician, I will be a monkeys uncle and if you get a properly filled out certificate, I will eat my hat!

MDJ · Nov 10, 2018

Hang on how do we know the spark did it? there may have been a feed hanging out from the ceiling and he just used that and didn't see the mess which was found when the OP was changing a light, if he did know then yes lets crucify him

1Justin · Nov 10, 2018

Bathroom upgrades and extract fans seem to attract the very worst of the worst. Perhaps because householders plans often focus on the lowest cost quotes, and it's all about the cost of the marble tiles...
And it's not just electrics. - The quality of ductwork for airflow management and humidity can be just as horrifying. Out of sight, out of mind. I regularly need to "rescue" installations after bathroom fitters have left. Recent ones:

ChrisElectrical88 · Nov 10, 2018

Cant beat an inline fan thrown across the loft.

Silly Sausage · Nov 10, 2018

1Justin said:
View attachment 45631

Appalling, cables not clipped down.

Pete999 · Nov 10, 2018

ChrisElectrical88 said:
Cant beat an inline fan thrown across the loft.

To many cables for that JB, sleeking missing off some cpcs , Cable sheath outside JB, inline fan slung on joists as mentioned never could that have been done by an Electrician, if it was, then he/she wants to give up and stack shelves in Tesco, an utterly appalling job, needs reporting to trading standards, Watchdog, the mind does indeed boggle, to not incur the wrath of the Mods I'm not going to say what I'm thinking.

1Justin · Nov 10, 2018

Pete999 said:
To many cables for that JB..

If you were to also know that at 6 o-clock is live+switched live, and at 7 o-clock is the original power in. - You might spot that everything connected beyond this JB is L-N reversed

Midwest · Nov 10, 2018

Without bringing anything to the party, I might be in danger of getting deleted here.

However, I'm not convinced that the OP is giving us the full story. Apologies OP if I'm incorrect.

Not withstanding the poor tradespersons that are out there, it doesn't take a expert to realise the state of the new installation falls way below of professional job.

If it were me I would not be allowing this so called electrician anywhere near my property & I would be concerned about the rest of the existing installation. I would be having an EICR conducted (wonder how the OP knows of this term?), and not repairing things myself. OP seems rather calm about things.

Perhaps I'm just getting too suspicious these days, having read similar threads. Getting as cynical as Murdoch

David Thomas · Nov 10, 2018

Thanks all; I've asked the electrician to come back to rectify the issues I've found. He is a busy guy, and I suspect that what happened is that he was so busy that he got a newly qualified/apprentice to do the work, and didn't have time to check it himself. I've also found an additional issue - a 45 amp cooker circuit on a 16 amp type B MCB.

As you've suggested, I'm going to get an EICR done by an electrician qualified to do commercial fixed wire testing. I'm hoping this won't be too intrusive given carpets and floors are down, but safety has to come first.

Midwest, I'm somewhat familiar with electrical installations, but not familiar with British domestic standards and common practice. To be honest, I'm only discovering most of the story/issues myself piecemeal as I look around the place.

Deuce · Nov 10, 2018

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

Some cock ups are not the result of being untrained, they are simply the result of being a useless sod with low standards! Whoever twisted the CPCs together would have known it was not the professional way, regardless of whether or not they happen to be qualified and/or registered with a scheme. Most 12 year olds with no interest in electrical work whatsoever would be able to identify this as not the work of a pro!!