Dodgy DIY TN-C-S conversion ?

[Simon47]

Family member is looking to rent out her house now she's moved in with her fiance. I've had a quick look in the cupboard, and a couple of things stand out.

It looks a lot like a DIY earth connection to the PILC supply cable. Is fixing this a call to the DNO or to her lecky supplier ?

Also, things are stuffed into a rather small cupboard.
I'm thinking once the enclosure for the RCD on the right (it looks like it was added when the bathroom was converted by a previous owner), and the henleys, are gone, put a small CU where the Wylex board is now - it'll an extra way or two when we've sorted out circuits (like not having all the sockets in the whole cottage on one RFC).
I'm also thinking of letting someone else do it - I don't fancy doing the contortions needed for it, it's in the back of a small cupboard, the top of which is about 18" off the floor.

 

[mainline]

Family member is looking to rent out her house now she's moved in with her fiance. I've had a quick look in the cupboard, and a couple of things stand out.

It looks a lot like a DIY earth connection to the PILC supply cable. Is fixing this a call to the DNO or to her lecky supplier ?View attachment 119511


Also, things are stuffed into a rather small cupboard.
I'm thinking once the enclosure for the RCD on the right (it looks like it was added when the bathroom was converted by a previous owner), and the henleys, are gone, put a small CU where the Wylex board is now - it'll an extra way or two when we've sorted out circuits (like not having all the sockets in the whole cottage on one RFC).
I'm also thinking of letting someone else do it - I don't fancy doing the contortions needed for it, it's in the back of a small cupboard, the top of which is about 18" off the floor.

View attachment 119512

The Dno is responsible.

 

[Tom256]

951 clamps were fitted widely in untold numbers onto the lead sheath. Not in itself a sign of a DIY job.
The DNO are supplying the earth and will maintain it as required. If the clamp is tight it is not in itself a concern. Issues certainly occur if the clamp is loose and someone figures they will tighten it.

The standard replacement (was) a clean up of the lead, braid, constant tension spring and amalgamating tape over the lot.

 

[westward10]

Those earth clamps are not and have never been suitable for fitting to a PILC cable.

 

[Tom256]

I do not disagree with the unsuitability of the 951 yet they were fitted and it is not in itself a sign of a DIY addition.

 

[mainline]

I do not disagree with the unsuitability of the 951 yet they were fitted and it is not in itself a sign of a DIY addition.

DNOs should not and generally do not fit BS 951 clamps to the sheath of cables because the standard explicitly states that these clamps are not designed for that purpose and doing so would be considered improper practice; the packaging of BS 951 clamps typically includes a warning stating "Not intended for use on the sheath or armour of a cable

 

[Simon47]

I've been around long enough to know that "should not do" doesn't mean "does not do" in real life

 

[littlespark]

“DIY” suggests it was the homeowner that did it…. Which isn’t right.

It was the DNO at the time of original installation… but as mentioned, it shouldn’t have been done that way on the first place.

Just ask them to change it… see what they say.

 

[Tom256]

I stand by my comments as to what was done in the mix and the mess of the past.
It is not for anyone other than the DNO to touch.

All that said perhaps we all can agree that working in that small space is the job of the apprentice

 

[brianmoooore]

Very unlikely to be DIY. Looks quite an old clamp, so probably DNO, or just possibly whoever fitted the plastic IP rated CU on the right wasn't happy with what was there and is responsible.

 

[littlespark]

Looking at the photos on this thread….

Thread 'Acceptable ways to terminate SWA - standard practice question'
UK - Acceptable ways to terminate SWA - standard practice question - https://www.electriciansforums.net/threads/acceptable-ways-to-terminate-swa-standard-practice-question.216665/


Is that the same earth strap on this incoming cable?

 

[Simon47]

Looks like it.

 

[Teddy Lop]

Millions just like it in these parts - not unsafe as such, as DNOs can use earth clamps on the network, but not type approved or recognised by BS7671 for end user connection (unless done so by DNO)

But most aren't, there was a period where sparks thinking they were doing a good job were removing the old earth and fitting a clamp to terminate a nice fat 16mm on. Unfortunately now many rotten old lead sheaths are starting to fail, and the attitude of UKPN is "we're only obligated to maintain an earth we originally supplied, prove we did, sod off", even on installs with cast iron cut outs.