Just a thought...

[jimmymac]

Good afternoon people,

I've had a thought (i dont have many), my friend has recently had his loft insulated for free, this is normal practice in my area at the moment due to a goverment scheme. The contractor has laid insulation which is 12 inch or 300 mm thick, surely i would be correct in thinking this changes the installation method of the cable from method C to method 101?

If so, would the contractor be responsible if the cable over heated or am i getting too deep and i need to take a holiday?

This is only a theoretical question as it is only a small circuit so i think it will still comply but i am interested in your views on the matter......

thanks

jimmy

 

[Geoffsd]

You are correct.

The same goes for cavity wall insulation in older buildings.

 

[jimmymac]

Hi geoff,

thanks for the reply, my main question is.......do you think the contractor would be held responsible?

 

[telectrix]

these contractors should be rolled up in insulation and locked in the attic on a hot summer's day.

 

[Geoffsd]

Oooooh! that's a different matter.

Obviously they would be thinking logically.

However, until a disaster has happened and after a few years in court we won't know.
Depends who it was - sole trader, probably - Housing Authority, probably not.

There is more importance placed at the moment on energy efficiency I doubt that the proponents have given a thought to the consequences to the electrical installations.

 

[RogertheBodger]

Hi geoff,

thanks for the reply, my main question is.......do you think the contractor would be held responsible?

That's a really good question.
Don't know the answer, but it's a question I've asked myself before today.

Perhaps another member may have some experience with this, but with these free insulation schemes being government run, would permission to do them have to go through BC?

If so, they are on the one hand making a home more energy efficient, but at the same time causing the risk of cables overheating, wonder how they work that one out, maybe the installation installers provide protection for every cable they see? (not)

 

[telectrix]

I doubt that the proponents have given a thought to the consequences to the electrical installations.

same as plumbers, then.

 

[ipf]

Especially with it being a gov. scheme they should know the situation. Any changes or disturbances are down to them, as far as I'm concerned. I've read about problems arising from this on other threads, I'm sure.
They just throw it in for fun (and quick cash of course).

 

[Richard Burns]

Mainly there will be very few instances of cables overheating as they will tend to be run far under their CCC, shower cables may get hot but will (usually) have time to cool down again.
I have a friend who installs insulation and he states that in a lot of cases the cables are run so tightly they cant move them even to put them under all the insulation. However is is aware that there can be a problem, just does not necessarily do anything about it!
You would have to be very unlucky to have a problem, but if there were then I would say that the insulation installer would be potentially liable, though would be difficult to prove it was not faulty connections from the electrician!
More likely to have problems with installers tripping over cables and pulling them out (I have had this before).

 

[i=p/u]

as he says they dont run at maximum ccc. but have seen scorch marks on pendant fittings that peoople use as junction boxes

 

[VoltzElectrical]

as he says they dont run at maximum ccc. but have seen scorch marks on pendant fittings that peoople use as junction boxes

thats why you should use the switch as a junction box, but that's another thread!

 

[Strima]

The main areas for damage are around light fittings etc. As we know those 50w halogen GU10's can really bang some heat out especially when covered with 300mm of scratchy stuff.

Even 1.0mm T+E rarely runs as full capacity on a lighting circuit, what's the average for domestic on an upstairs circuit? 3 amps including a few down-lights and a fan in a bathroom?

Can't see it being too much of a problem in normal domestic situations as long as hot areas are allowed to vent properly.

 

[jimmymac]

I agree that the cables are unlikely to over heat but i was just interested in your views on the liabilty issue. I guess the contractors would just plead ignorance...

 

[trev]

I agree that the cables are unlikely to over heat but i was just interested in your views on the liabilty issue. I guess the contractors would just plead ignorance...

Would they be legally allowed to plead ignorance? After all we are expected to know many aspects of the building regs that may not have a direct bearing on us but if we did something to contravene them and something did go horribly wrong would the guy in the wig and funny clothes accept "Sorry your honour, I didn't know that"

 

[lynchie]

ignorance is no defence