Am I being a snob, or is this actually dangerous

[Inteificio]

On a distribution board last week in a farm house, I saw 2 core 4mm SWA with the sheath terminated by having a couple of strands in a terminal block.

A photo would save a thousand words, but I found out on that day that my camera phone is not waterproof =-(

The other sparky on site said it is fine if the Zs is in, which I accepted at the time.

Then I got thinking, the Zs will make sure the fuse trips, but how can you guarantee conductor safety while the fuse is tripping?
We had a similar issue in our factory where a spark proved that a distribution circuit would blow in 4s, within the limit. However I pointed out the wires would be melting the insulation after 1s.

I can do the calcs to prove how hot that conductor will get, but that is not sparky level maths and I know the guy who installed it won't be able to do that.

So my question is:

When is it ever safe to terminate only a couple of strands of the armouring on SWA when it is being used as the CPC.

This is quite important as I am going to be politely confronting the guy, and I don't want to risk causing offence if I am wrong. I will be the first to admit domestic is not my speciality.

 

[alarm man]

What particular stereotype caused you to whinge like a bitch?

what particular stereotype caused you to think you were an electrical engineer or a spark? as your asking..:rolleyes4:

 

[Spudnik]

Can i ask, who is 100% certain that the OP is NOT an engineer?

And put the handbags to one side ladies.

Any more insults will have the offending members accounts removed.

 

[alarm man]

Can i ask, who is 100% certain that the OP is NOT an engineer?

from previous posts i'am.

 

[Geordie Spark]

I'm an engineer .... I used to fit the string handles to paper carrier bags.

 

[CrazyScozzese]

About 25 years ago, I got a job as a service engineer with ACT(Apricot) in Brum, and I remember seeing a cartoon pinned on the workshop wall that said, "Six monts ago I coudnt evn spel injuneer, and now I are wun"

I still chuckle when I remember it now.

 

[gottahugenoggin]

im a marine coating engineer..............i work at a chippy battering fish!

 

[GLENNSPARK]

10 minutes before what? Thrown off for his PPE. Or dies of embarrassment.

trying to hit two birds ..with one stone..lol......saw a lass walking by today who looked like she only weighed 2 stone.......

 

[richy3333]

Having just waded through 13 pages I feel I have to have my say now...

I'm just glad the OP isn't a '5 week wonder sparky' else he'd have suffered a proper verbal kicking!

Come on guys, life's too short. We've just had the season of good-will and with a new year, so can't we have a resolution to all get along and stop bashing each other because of our differences - be we '5 week wonders', 'old timers' refusing to evolve or electrical engineers etc etc. If people can't say something positive, say nothing and move on to read another thread.

Some might not like the way the OP has handled the 'problem', but that is for him to decide, it's his dilemma, not ours. It's far too easy to make assumptions - both on the part of the OP about the sparky (I'm not condoning what the spark has done, but he may have his reason, albeit tenuous) and also when we read the posts and make assumptions on the written word. These forums are always difficult as the written word doesn't flow as easily as a conversation.

At the end of the day the electrical safety of the OP's parents is what matters. It does sound as thought the system may not have been designed and installed as it should have been and this will need to be addressed with the sparky. If all else fails and the work isn't or hasn't been rectified then his scheme provider should be informed, Trading Standards and/or Building Control?

Happy New Year everyone

 

[Inteificio]

Not sure I want to resurrect this thread, but a clear list of the problems has been sent to my dad and the spark clearly explaining all issues. He has been asked to either fix the problems, or legitimize the decisions he has made (as I said before, domestic is not my specialty, I might have overlooked something).

I have also told him I will be doing a full inspection next time I am up there, and will require all test forms to be made available.

The house will be vacant until I get there, so doubt the electrics will be in use.

Photos will arrive eventually. I am hoping they will be of perfectly finished electrics.

 

[Inteificio]

Just because some people want photos, I took this one which made me laugh.

The contrast is poor, but the live is also screwed in...to the neutral.

This was me signing off the work of a senior electrician!

p.s. just to be clear this has NOTHING to do with my parents place, just a photo of something I came across on an inspection.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-...AAuw/zFOH-5b--XA/s800/2011-06-29 16.00.04.jpg

 

[Knobhead]

I’d have kept quiet, we’d near forgotten you.

 

[richy3333]

I hadn't

 

[spaldingsparks]

It is wrong to only terminate a couple of strands but at a guess I would say 2 core SWA Farm looks to me like it is a feed to a TT system so it is not the means of earthing but probably just earthing the Steel at one end to protect the feed cable itself still wrong!

 

[QSGAZ]

If i was carrying out a periodic id fail it, dont forget it its 2391 inspection and testing.you will do more inspecting than testing. the whole point of swa and the glands is to give the inner cables machanical protection.

 

[Knobhead]

Hi and welcome
Why did you have to resurrect an old thread to say Hi?