Made me jump!

Mjward · Jun 9, 2021

Moved into a new house and before I make a start on the serious renovation, thought I'd mount a TV so I have some evening entertainment.

Easy, the previous owners already had one up, just need to move along slightly for new pilot holes for the new bracket. Or so I thought.

Drilled first pilot hole, no issue.
Drilled second pilot hole and lights in room went out. (I didn't connect the two immediately as the microwave was on and this earlier triggered the RCBO).
Drilled third pilot hole and poof, bit of a spark, RCBO triggered again and told me something was not right.

The things that are alarming me are:

1) I've drilled a couple of inches horizontally from where previous mount was installed. Closer to a power socket but nowhere near above. Further away from a light switch and in no logical route of a cable run

2) the room lights are switching off when there was a power overload earlier on the sockets. Don't know why these would be on same RCBO.

This house is completely new to me less than a week ago so don't have a full understanding of the electrics but there s growing number of warning signs that something isn't right

littlespark · Jun 15, 2021

Mjward said:
I'm not up to speed with my corporate logos, there is no name visible but this logo on the CU coverView attachment 86736

The board is Lewden as well, so breakers and board are matching. Just looks like they don’t fit very well.

Mjward · Jun 15, 2021

littlespark said:
The board is Lewden as well, so breakers and board are matching. Just looks like they don’t fit very well.

Suspect a case of not fitted well ie more user than product error ?? I continue to find shockers. Found the coax collection point with two random T&E open terminated into one half of a choc box (ie stick anything in the other side and bam!). By the sheer number of fused spurs this is definitely a property that has had its electrics added to over the years as opposed to a full rewire.

Mjward · Jun 15, 2021

For completeness for anyone that pulls up this thread years to come. Have completed the fix. If it was in any other location I would have preferred to rerun a whole new cable but with the existing wires clipped to the outside of the original property and no obvious channel to use, I had to settle for crimping, heat wrap and tape (tucked in temporarily for now)

Dustydazzler · Jun 15, 2021

I would just leave it like that and make it a feature of the property like an exposed brick column

Mjward · Jun 15, 2021

Dustydazzler said:
I would just leave it like that and make it a feature of the property like an exposed brick column

??? Maybe just cover with a sheet of Perspex so visitors understand they are viewing an art of substantial value?

DPG · Jun 15, 2021

Mjward said:
??? Maybe just cover with a sheet of Perspex so visitors understand they are viewing an art of substantial value?

Brill ?

nicebutdim · Jun 15, 2021

Is there sufficent depth to add a 2 gang socket over these cables? Might be of no use to you, but could be hidden behind the TV and would serve as a warning to any future owner of the property.

static zap · Jun 15, 2021

( tricky I would be tempted to leave - a note of location of repair for if any future readings are a bit off )
Gives you an clue of an area to thump to see if anything missbehaves.!

Mike Johnson · Jun 16, 2021

Looks like the sheath on the outer cable has been nicked by whoever drilled the hole?

Mike Johnson · Jun 16, 2021

static zap said:
( tricky I would be tempted to leave - a note of location of repair for if any future readings are a bit off )
Gives you an clue of an area to thump to see if anything missbehaves.!

I have been guilty of putting a note inside a coax junction box before now, whether any one ever see's it or not I don't know, or a sticky label on a hidden socket behind the TV may work.

Mjward · Jun 16, 2021

Mike Johnson said:
Looks like the sheath on the outer cable has been nicked by whoever drilled the hole?View attachment 86766

Good eyes. It has just about but not penetrated inner sheath. Is that good to leave or is there anything I can do aside from cut out and repair?

DPG · Jun 16, 2021

Mjward said:
Good eyes. It has just about but not penetrated inner sheath. Is that good to leave or is there anything I can do aside from cut out and repair?
View attachment 86768

Note, I've put my tin hat on.

I'd wrap a couple of layers of tape around it neatly. That's assuming the damage has definitely not gone right through the outer sheathing.

Mjward · Jun 16, 2021

DPG said:
Note, I've put my tin hat on.

I'd wrap a couple of layers of tape around it neatly. That's assuming the damage has definitely not gone right through the outer sheathing.

Tis what I'm thinking and tin hat is right ? is there anything I should mark on the tape to let a future electrician know why it's been taped or just not the done thing?

Mike Johnson · Jun 16, 2021

If there is enough slack in the cable I would be tempted to do the same as you have to the others, but that's me, belt and braces.

OnlQQker · Jun 16, 2021

I would skin up a 150mm length of the outer sheath of a 16mm swa cable and fix that over it.

But I'm no electrician so could be speaking out of my backside ?

DPG · Jun 16, 2021

Mike Johnson said:
If there is enough slack in the cable I would be tempted to do the same as you have to the others, but that's me, belt and braces.

I knew you'd go that way Mike. Be interesting to see what the general consensus is.

I accept my way is technically a bodge, but I think it's acceptable. Again, with my tin hat on. It avoids several joints which are potential failure points.

telectrix · Jun 16, 2021

i would have used these, neat and if necessary, a bit of heatshrink over.

Dustydazzler · Jun 16, 2021

DPG said:
Note, I've put my tin hat on.

I'd wrap a couple of layers of tape around it neatly. That's assuming the damage has definitely not gone right through the outer sheathing.

just make sure it’s grey tape

telectrix · Jun 16, 2021

all tapes are grey in the dark.

dodger421 · Jun 16, 2021

Personally, and with tin hat firmly on, if it’s only the outer sheath I’d cover it with green line tape (aka self amalgamating tape) and think no more about.

Mjward · Jun 16, 2021

Thank you all. I will go the tape route, acknowledging it's not the ideal treatment but one as the property owner am happy with but also know that no-one is drilling into that wall for the next 50 years as I plan to die in this house

To complete the loop, the TV is now mounted on the wall and all working fine. I've completed the coax routing check around the house with the aid of a great little (and cheap) device from Klein tools (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B076DP1534/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o08_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

Next on the to do list is to check all the CAT5/6 terminals although I've already come across helpful labelling such as "does not work"

Oh...and my wall scanner arrived so hopefully no more crimping (famous last words)

Mjward · Jun 23, 2021

Right...so I've got a cable route which has some coax, ethernet and these two random white cables with brown and blue wires terminated in a chocbox.

For life of me can't figure out why they were routed there or what they do. Anyone have a guess where they may be routed near a TV location? Hopefully can use that information to figure out where they end up as haven't found the other side yet!

telectrix · Jun 23, 2021

remote speakers???

Mike Johnson · Jun 23, 2021

I assume the two co-axial cables are from a dual LNB from a satellite dish to allow signal to a receiver box and allow one programme to be recoded whilst watching a different programme, can't help on the two white cables, perhaps low power cables? have you checked if power is supplied to them?