Quality of work in new builds

[Sparky5473]

Hi guys, working round a friends brand new house at the weekend and discovered this in the meter box. Why can’t people do things properly? Also twisted cpc’s in common sleeving and no cable identification on 3C+E s

 

[radiohead]

True but it’s in an enclosure which can only be accessed with a key/tool thus satisfying the regulations.

I was thinking along the same lines, but as this is expected to be accessed by unskilled persons checking meter readings or operating the main switch it is certainly poor practice and could be considered unsafe.

 

[Ian1981]

I was thinking along the same lines, but as this is expected to be accessed by unskilled persons checking meter readings or operating the main switch it is certainly poor practice and could be considered unsafe.

Regulations don’t make any distinction between skilled or unskilled persons opening an enclosure such as a meter box or even a CU cover, as long as a key or tool is needed then it’s deemed deliberate action, also internal barriers giving protection against live accessible parts are in place, I don’t like it but I can’t see a regulation not adhered to (basic insulation wise anyway)?
Maybe the Meter guys or DNO might not like it?

 

[radiohead]

Inclined to agree Ian, so really the only non compliance is lack of conductor ID.

 

[Ian1981]

I mean unless anyone can add anything to it to say why you can’t have basic insulation exposed in the enclosure?
I think it stems from always installing insulated and sheathed tails as common practice and to now install Swa and exposing the inner cores , it looks a bit wrong but only because it’s different, if that makes sense?

 

[Zerax]

I like to think of it like the old 'O' Level grades... A to C was a pass, below that was a fail.

So that meter box might scrape a grade C.... But that will always be the case for big company, mass built, modern housing. Why spend more money to improve it to a higher grade ?

 

[7029 dave]

Better than what I have seen, SWA floating in the meter box with just a tenby earth clamp round the armouring and earth lead ran off.
It still just does not feel right, I like to see these terminated into a full inclosure, switchfuse A+

 

[ED17]

Builders want the job done for peanuts and this is what happens.

 

[SaajanB]

Wouldn't have taken anymore time to just have fitted a plastic or metal enclosure.

 

[Midwest]

Ive read here quite a few times recommending using a similar bracket in just such an instance. I don’t think a metal switch fuse, would fit in that gap, unless the supply isolator was moved? Perhaps the DNO claimed their ground. Incidentally why a swa?

 

[diditrain]

How far is it from the meter box to the consumer unit?

 

[telectrix]

How far is it from the meter box to the consumer unit?

in feet. sod foreign centipedes.

 

[littlespark]

I’ve been thinking about this one all day, and agree with Creep.... sorry Radiohead.... it’s in an enclosure.
Rough as a badgers ar*e though.

It reminds me of a pv installation in a house I was in. 25mm tails from Henley block, into a DP isolator enclosure..... nothing strange there.... but it came out in 10mm t&e to go to the pv meter.... basic insulation showing.

 

[radiohead]

I’ve been thinking about this one all day, and agree with Creep.... sorry Radiohead

None taken.

 

[Dustydazzler]

There is a relatively new build estate (built around the Late 2000s) very near where I live that uses 16mm twin and earth for its submains.
basic insulation is on show in every meter box.
so perhaps the meter box is classed as an in closure thus negating the need for containment of cores.
they also got away with no rcd protection on the submains as it was around the same time as rcd protection on everything were just coming out so wired the cable directly into the meters and didn’t bother to Rcd protect it...

 

[Flanders]

I thought 16 mm swa only took about 80 cliped direct amps so how do they get away with that when the main fuse is 100 amp