Is this council wiring legal?

Bombdispoalboy · Jun 4, 2021

Dustydazzler · Jun 4, 2021

In a word ‘yes’ as long as the circuit is on a 30ma rcd

only questionable issue could be cables outside safe zones if the are run on the diagonal

Dustydazzler · Jun 4, 2021

It looks like the plasters trowel had an argument with the cable

telectrix · Jun 4, 2021

depth is not an issue as long as plasterer can't damage.run diagonal is pants, and does nor comply. RCD or not. dig the bottom foot or so out and drop direct vertical to a new socket position. then yo can go horizontally from new socket to existing one.

Pete999 · Jun 4, 2021

Bombdispoalboy said:
View attachment 86388

probably legal and within the IEE Regulations at the time of install. if you are that concerned ask the seller to pay for an EICR .

TykeSpark · Jun 4, 2021

Bombdispoalboy said:
View attachment 86388

What type of Consumer Unit do you have fitted? are the circuits protected by 30mA RCD's. Cables concealed inside walls should be in the safe zones (horizontally or vertically from sockets/switches or the corners/ceiling junctions. If not protected by RCD's then cables should be buried to a depth of 50mm or protected against mechanical damage (screws/nails). This is the current reg's, however this is why you pay for a survey and it is good practice to get an EICR as well, not just for Landlords. That is not to say that the wiring is illegal, it depends on when it was installed etc. What are your internal walls made from? Some Councils built houses post war with hollow bricks for internal walls, obviously these could not be chased in without compromising the structure of the walls. The biggest problem with Electrics is everybody thinks they can have a go, and as long as it works (in a fashion) then it's ok. From the picture, if I am seeing correctly it does look like pretty shoddy work though.

Zerax · Jun 4, 2021

At least you've got grommets !

telectrix · Jun 4, 2021

OP is within my sphere of bodging (just). also ex-member phil davies is in N-le-w. can sort for a skinfull of beer.

TykeSpark · Jun 4, 2021

TykeSpark said:
What type of Consumer Unit do you have fitted? are the circuits protected by 30mA RCD's. Cables concealed inside walls should be in the safe zones (horizontally or vertically from sockets/switches or the corners/ceiling junctions. If not protected by RCD's then cables should be buried to a depth of 50mm or protected against mechanical damage (screws/nails). This is the current reg's, however this is why you pay for a survey and it is good practice to get an EICR as well, not just for Landlords. That is not to say that the wiring is illegal, it depends on when it was installed etc. What are your internal walls made from? Some Councils built houses post war with hollow bricks for internal walls, obviously these could not be chased in without compromising the structure of the walls. The biggest problem with Electrics is everybody thinks they can have a go, and as long as it works (in a fashion) then it's ok. From the picture, if I am seeing correctly it does look like pretty shoddy work though.

Saying that, it does look like it's the 'new' wiring colours, so it can't be that old. Has kitchen fitter written all over it, lol.

Bombdispoalboy · Jun 4, 2021

TykeSpark said:
What type of Consumer Unit do you have fitted? are the circuits protected by 30mA RCD's. Cables concealed inside walls should be in the safe zones (horizontally or vertically from sockets/switches or the corners/ceiling junctions. If not protected by RCD's then cables should be buried to a depth of 50mm or protected against mechanical damage (screws/nails). This is the current reg's, however this is why you pay for a survey and it is good practice to get an EICR as well, not just for Landlords. That is not to say that the wiring is illegal, it depends on when it was installed etc. What are your internal walls made from? Some Councils built houses post war with hollow bricks for internal walls, obviously these could not be chased in without compromising the structure of the walls. The biggest problem with Electrics is everybody thinks they can have a go, and as long as it works (in a fashion) then it's ok. From the picture, if I am seeing correctly it does look like pretty shoddy work though.

Tykespark

Bombdispoalboy · Jun 4, 2021

The wall actually bowed out a bit and thinking it was just a blob of plaster I scraped it with a scraper and cut the insulation of the wire- it must have been less than a millimeter of plaster on top of a wire that was actually proud of the wall FFS!
I will repair/replace the wire chase out the wall and put the wire deeper. And make a better job of the plastering lol. In regards to RCD there is definitely one fitted but it's under the stairs which is packed with junk so I'll have to check it later.
Thanks for your answers everyone I'm just shocked (nearly literally!) at how shallow the wiring can be!

UNG · Jun 4, 2021

telectrix said:
OP is within my sphere of bodging (just). also ex-member phil davies is in N-le-w. can sort for a skinfull of beer.

Just been having a chat with Phil

Bombdispoalboy · Jun 4, 2021

just removed more plaster and it seems that maybe the spark did the job right but whichever chimp plastered it didn't make sure the wires were flat against the wall before throwing on the plaster. To be honest the council rewired the whole house 10-15 years ago and it looks like ALL the remedial plastering on the job was rubbish!

littlespark · Jun 4, 2021

I spy with my littlespark eye..... blue insulation on show where muckspreader caught it with his metal float.

10-15 years ago and new colours suggest at least the sockets will be rcd protected.

littlespark · Jun 4, 2021

littlespark said:
I spy with my littlespark eye..... blue insulation on show where muckspreader caught it with his metal float.

10-15 years ago and new colours suggest at least the sockets will be rcd protected.

Ignore first sentence. OP earlier admitted to damaging the outer sheath