Advice on work I've had done

bryc-123 · Jul 25, 2019

Hello,

I've recently had some outside lights fitted, there is about 10 of them, all LED. The electricans took the cable from the fuse board down into my basement void where other services are running and then out to the garden. Outside they have used armoured cable, 1.5mm, about 20-30meters in total I'd have thought. But in the basement void, it's about another 20m from the fuseboard end to the outside but they have used a 0.75mm 3 core white flex cable.

The circuit breaker is 6 amps.

I don't know whether that is good or bad but to me something isn't quite sitting right having a cable half the size of the armoured cable, it looks like they've used a cable very similar to the flex hanging down on my pendants for 20m.

Should I be concerned or is it ok? Since I have had the work done I've been hearing bad things about the company I used so I was hoping someone on here could give me some advice.

Thank you.

Intoelectrics · Jul 26, 2019

This install (though realistically not unsafe) is not in line with the BS 7671 so should therefore be rectified by the installer/designer because it cannot be "satisfactory" certified.

Deleted member 9648 · Jul 26, 2019

I have had a long trawl through the relevant sections of the BBB and cannot see anything which specifically prevents the use of a flexible cable of 0.75mm csa. None of the above, including the voltimum statement supersede what it actually states in table 52.3. It clearly states that for any purpose other than a specific appliance or ELV the minimum is 0.75mm. However if anyone else can definitely show otherwise I'll accept my interpretation is wrong

Midwest · Jul 26, 2019

As its been said before, the wording in the table is poorly written and should be clearer.

If one looks at the tables for ccc, the one for flexible cables has no installation methods, unlike that for insulated & sheathed flat cable; granted there are other tables for reference methods to determine ccc.

52.3 specifically mentions lighting & power circuits insulated & sheathed cables, but then doesn't for flexible cables. Why doesn't it just say for any other application for both cable types?

HappyHippyDad · Jul 26, 2019

Well I don't often disagree with @westward10 but I think @happysteve has it with this one.

Table 52.3 is very clear. You don't just jump to the 'lighting circuits' part of the table. You HAVE to start at the beginning and work your way through a table. Therefore 0.75mm is acceptable in this scenario, however much we all dislike the idea.

edit.... although I met it doesn't meet the voltage drop requirements!

westward10 · Jul 26, 2019

How very dare you, ya barred

DPG · Jul 26, 2019

Good debate this one.

rapparee · Jul 26, 2019

Well I'm sure the OP is none the wiser after this one.

I'd probably say it is OK as well. The lights are permanent LED fittings, it is not as if they are ceiling rose pendants and the low wattage bulbs can be replaced by old style incandescent bulbs.

Pete999 · Jul 26, 2019

happyhippydad said:
Well I don't often disagree with @westward10 but I think @happysteve has it with this one.

Table 52.3 is very clear. You don't just jump to the 'lighting circuits' part of the table. You HAVE to start at the beginning and work your way through a table. Therefore 0.75mm is acceptable in this scenario, however much we all dislike the idea.

edit.... although I met it doesn't meet the voltage drop requirements!

what are you on HHD? have you been to a wholesalers lately and asked for a 100M drum of 0.75mm2 T and E with lots of qualified Sparkies' in attendance waiting for their free coffee?

HappyHippyDad · Jul 26, 2019

rapparee said:
Well I'm sure the OP is none the wiser after this one.

I'd probably say it is OK as well. The lights are permanent LED fittings, it is not as if they are ceiling rose pendants and the low wattage bulbs can be replaced by old style incandescent bulbs.

We do tend to get a bit carried away don't we. Poor old OP doesn't know which way to turn, and also doesn't even know what OP means, so doesn't even know we're talking about him!

JK-Electrical · Jul 26, 2019

Pete999 said:
Away from the discussion about 1mm or 0.75mm, who or what sort of person would wire the garden lights in 1.5mm3 SWA cable, and then lash it on to a length of 0.75mm2 flex, answers on a post card please.

[ElectriciansForums.net] Advice on work I've had done

Des 56 · Jul 27, 2019

Interesting discussion,I have my opinion and it agrees with one of the competing views

Where I see a problem is with the op in his opening post describing the cable as they have used a 0.75mm 3 core white flex cable.

He is extra observant or meticulous with his estimate of flexible cable size because on the one hand he asks question of regulations and on the other hand he is better than me at sizing the difference between a 1.0mm flex and 0.75mm flex in situ

Something does not seem to add up,the story does not seem to be fully disclosed,it could very well have been 1.0mm flex from the outset

Markyd · Jul 27, 2019

Des 56 said:
Interesting discussion,I have my opinion and it agrees with one of the competing views

Where I see a problem is with the op in his opening post describing the cable as they have used a 0.75mm 3 core white flex cable.

He is extra observant or meticulous with his estimate of flexible cable size because on the one hand he asks question of regulations and on the other hand he is better than me at sizing the difference in a 1.omm and 0.75 flex in situ
Something does not seem to add up,the story does not seem to be fully disclosed

It may say the size of the cable on the flex......but you could be right in what your thinking

Intoelectrics · Jul 29, 2019

I think what we can all agree on is, though not unsafe, it appears (assuming what the OP says is accurate) to be a bit of a bodge job. Without the full details and any pictures this is my personal opinion.
My advise to the OP is to get a honest second opinion from another qualified spark.

Toneyz · Jul 29, 2019

Intoelectrics said:
I think what we can all agree on is, though not unsafe, it appears (assuming what the OP says is accurate) to be a bit of a bodge job. Without the full details and any pictures this is my personal opinion.
My advise to the OP is to get a honest second opinion from another qualified spark.

I think a bodge job might be a bit strong description a bit orthodox maybe. Is it unsafe I don't think so but as posted without pictures it is hard to tell.

bryc-123 · Aug 1, 2019

Des 56 said:
Interesting discussion,I have my opinion and it agrees with one of the competing views

Where I see a problem is with the op in his opening post describing the cable as they have used a 0.75mm 3 core white flex cable.

He is extra observant or meticulous with his estimate of flexible cable size because on the one hand he asks question of regulations and on the other hand he is better than me at sizing the difference between a 1.0mm flex and 0.75mm flex in situ

Something does not seem to add up,the story does not seem to be fully disclosed,it could very well have been 1.0mm flex from the outset

It says 0.75 on the cable, as well as some other letters and numbers.

I've been trying to get hold of the company but not had any luck, I said about the certificate and apparently he needs to come and take some details of the fuse board but doesn't have time to do it at the moment...apparently.

Anyway, I've arranged for another person to come and have a look at the work that's been done, when I told them about the 0.75mm cable they didn't seem impressed.

Advice on work I've had done

bryc-123

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Intoelectrics

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Deleted member 9648

Midwest

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HappyHippyDad

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westward10

DPG

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rapparee

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Pete999

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HappyHippyDad

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JK-Electrical

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Des 56

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Markyd

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Intoelectrics

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Toneyz

bryc-123

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