UK Exposed Live Wires Under Bedroom Floor?

lifeofbrian · Jun 18, 2024

I was trying to fix a cold radiator when I came across some exposed cable and copper wire under the floor boards, a quick test with a voltage pen showed live. Not sure what kind of voltage they're putting out, wouldn't the RCD trip if they were dangerous? I covered the ends with electrical tape for now.

If any electricians can give some advice please, especially those covering the Bishop Auckland area.

Cheers.

littlespark · Jun 18, 2024

A voltage pen may just be picking up a “ghost” voltage from live cables running alongside.

Best to get them checked by a professional with the correct testing equipment.

Bishop Auckland just a bit too far for me

littlespark · Jun 18, 2024

What’s in the first photo?

It looks to me like the black cables are old rubber sheathed twin and earth… and the grey being newer.
Is this right above where your consumer unit is located?

Dustydazzler · Jun 18, 2024

It could the old black rubber cable(s) are being back fed from a missed jb or connection somewhere ?

lifeofbrian · Jun 18, 2024

Yes mate. Are they safe, should I still get someone to test them? I do have a volt meter but have never used it before.

KungFuTurkeyLeg · Jun 18, 2024

If you've gone to the trouble of digging out the boards, it would be worth getting 10 minutes of an electricians time just to put your mind at ease

lifeofbrian · Jun 19, 2024

Got a guy coming round next week, cheers lads.

UNG · Jun 19, 2024

Dustydazzler said:
It could the old black rubber cable(s) are being back fed from a missed jb or connection somewhere ?

When I first looked at it I thought the black rubber cables were left there following a rewire and voltage is being induced on to them from the new installation because of the cable running parallel to each other

Dustydazzler · Jun 19, 2024

UNG said:
When I first looked at it I thought the black rubber cables were left there following a rewire and voltage is being induced on to them from the new installation because of the cable running parallel to each other

Could well be induced voltage that the OPs volt stick is picking up on

But like wise , I have been to houses that were rewired and old bits of the rubber cable were still connected and live

pirate · Jun 20, 2024

Live wires under floorboards?
any years ago, when my daughter was just a crawling stage, we were having a new carpet fitted in an upstairs room. We had stripped out the old carpet and underlay, awaiting the carpet fitters. Said daughter was crawling around the room and and as it was a bit dusty form the old inderlay I scooped her up and placed her into the upstairs landing. As I turned to shut the door my (bare) foot made contact with a nail in a floorboard and I recieved quite a hefty belt. Yup, nail through board and into a t&e below. I guess the old carpet and underlay had protected this "live" nail for many years, but I dread to think what might have happened had my wee lass crawled over that nail.