distribution board

[Sonia Norman]

Hi

I was wondering if anybody has come across black stub slv? My mums church consumer unit is a nightmare. All of the connections are black stub slv, with half on them not marked as live. Thats ok for the ones that were already connected in the board. But in the board were some wires just connected loose in connector blocks! None of the circuits have an earth either. The main earth bond is there, i have just never come across a board that does not have a seperate earth with each circuit.

 

[Sonia Norman]

So if this is being done under the guidance of an experienced electrician how come you're not asking him/her what it is and how it should be dealt with?
I'd be pretty ticked off if I found an apprentice was scared to ask questions on site, perhaps mostly ticked off with myself for giving the impression that questions weren't allowed. It's how an apprentice learns.
I must have driven my mentor mad while I was a boy.

I will ask him tomorrow, but want to have at least done as much homework myself as possible.

 

[davesparks]

I am not installing cable, I am going to change the distribution board as the current board is an old rewireable and in a shocking state. I'm doing it free for experience with guidance.

Walk away if you have no experience of working with micc, it's easy once you know how but until then it is easy to make some expensive mistakes!

For a start the cable sheath forms the earth of the circuit which connects via a compression ring in the gland and onto the steel surface of the DB. You need to ensure a mechanically and electrically sound connection with the steel surface or find another way to earth the sheath, making a brass gland plate or using earthing nuts may work. Or reterminating them all with earth tail pots.

Also you may need to reterminate some of them which requires the correct tools and some experience. Plus knowing how far you can or cannot bend it without cracking the sheath if it's old.

And if it's imperial MICC you may well need to solder a new pot onto the cable or carefully shape the sheath with emery if you need to re-terminate. Not a job for the inexperienced!

 

[uksparks]

I must have driven my mentor mad while I was a boy.

You see Trev, the difference here is that when you were a boy, the computer or internet had not been invented ;-) just kidding, but it's true, these days people turn to the internet first, which I guess is good for certain things, but if you are under the supervision of another, then you should really be asking them.

 

[davesparks]

I suggest you shout at prospects college then, because they never once showed us this.

Of suggest you go and ask for your money back on the course!

 

[davesparks]

You see Trev, the difference here is that when you were a boy, the computer or internet had not been invented ;-) just kidding, but it's true, these days people turn to the internet first, which I guess is good for certain things, but if you are under the supervision of another, then you should really be asking them.

I turned to my mentor first, and I still do. I'm not averse to phoning the guy I served my apprenticeship with even today if I am unsure of something. And the reverse is also true, he phones me for advice or to just talk something over sometimes.

 

[trev]

I will ask him tomorrow, but want to have at least done as much homework myself as possible.

Pyro is not for the uninitiated or the faint of heart Sonia. That said, you have an opportunity to gain a very worthwhile skill that will never leave you. You'll get rusty at it but it's like riding a bike, you never forget it.
Once you get used to it you'll learn to love the stuff. I, and most of the other dinosaurs on here, do. Watch, learn and soak it up. And see if you can get your hands on some scrap ends to practice on (NB the tools needed can be expensive)

 

[Sonia Norman]

That's going to be interesting changing that! It would be nice to see a picture.

I'll take one tomorrow

 

[GB.Kayak]

Yes, thank you. More research before bed for me then. Bloody gpood job its pyro with all the dry rot ive found!

Sonia, I am not taking the 'Micky' but are you also sure that you have found dry rot?

If so, what action is being or has been taken to deal with it?

 

[ruston]

You see Trev, the difference here is that when you were a boy, the computer or internet had not been invented ;-) just kidding, but it's true, these days people turn to the internet first, which I guess is good for certain things, but if you are under the supervision of another, then you should really be asking them.

Lol ,trip to the library , then the answer to the boss on Monday morning - or else!!

 

[Andy78]

Crikey!

I think Dave and Trev's advice needs heeding here. If you don't even recognise MI cable and have never touched it, I would recommend leaving this DB swap to someone with experience and just observing. A shiny new DB with a load of mangled copper ends near it would not be a fun thing to have to explain.

 

[Leesparkykent]

http://www.swaonline.co.uk/files/ww/Catalogue Page 46 - MICC Products.pdf

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GoJLrQxRbEk

Have a look at these to give you a head start before your mentor shows you on site.

 

[rompling]

Hi Sonia
Have read your posts and your experience levels - love your will to succeed in this electrics lark
As others have said its a learning curve !
Electrics in a church normally all MICC and changing a board all in MICC is quite a challenge for even the most experienced
I suggest you watch and learn from the this other more experienced sparky ( I hope he is up to it ) and your next project is a little less tricky

All the best for you'd future career and hope someone gives you a chance

 

[shanky887614]

Another electrician? Did the first one not know what this is either?

There is going to be a lot of shouting I'm afraid! An electrician who doesn't even recognise a common cable like micc when they see it is not an electrician in anyone's book! Even if they are incapable of working with this cable an electrician should recognise it, especially in a church where it always was and often still is the only type of cable allowed!

its not that common imho, ive only really seen it at some hospitals, national grid office sites and once in a pub

 

[Leesparkykent]

^^Bet you knew what it was though?^^

 

[shanky887614]

Walk away if you have no experience of working with micc, it's easy once you know how but until then it is easy to make some expensive mistakes!

For a start the cable sheath forms the earth of the circuit which connects via a compression ring in the gland and onto the steel surface of the DB. You need to ensure a mechanically and electrically sound connection with the steel surface or find another way to earth the sheath, making a brass gland plate or using earthing nuts may work. Or reterminating them all with earth tail pots.

Also you may need to reterminate some of them which requires the correct tools and some experience. Plus knowing how far you can or cannot bend it without cracking the sheath if it's old.

And if it's imperial MICC you may well need to solder a new pot onto the cable or carefully shape the sheath with emery if you need to re-terminate. Not a job for the inexperienced!

just to add for future readers, it is not worth the trouble moving some boards, your better ripping the guts out and using them as a joint box.

hopefully the micc is terminated into couplers first or trunking and not direct into the board or you will find it tricky.


the odd micc would be fine if your inexperienced but it can be a right pig for a lot of cables, damage one and you will have to shorten them all to get them in the board