Regulations for Mains Wiring

[Martyparty]

Hi,

I’m hoping someone can signpost me to any regulations that exist for installation of mains wiring cable in a domestic setting. An electrician has installed a mains cable within 30mm of wall surface in almost the centre of a wall and I’m wondering if there are regulations against this installation as i’m concerned that about the safety of this work.

Many thanks

Marty

 

[nicebutdim]

Trying to work out if that is a cable or something else but it is damaged. I asked earlier but no confirmation.

Looks very much like conduit, which would be expected for switch/socket drops over here. If it is conduit, it may be that the tails run in a safe zone. Alternatively it might contain the main earth.

OP stated that they aren't sure what it is.

 

[Yozza19]

It looks to me like a swa 6-10mm and a 20mm conduit swa is definitely damaged

 

[SJD]

It looks to me like a swa 6-10mm and a 20mm conduit swa is definitely damaged

I'm guessing the only reason the SWA and conduit is exposed is because someone has drilled/nailed/screwed into one or both of them, and something tripped or went bang?

 

[Martyparty]

I’m

I'm wondering if you possibly have an outside cabinet with main fuse, meter, and switched fuse, and that cable runs from the switched fuse to an indoor consumer unit. Wild guess....but only way it's adding up in my mind right now given the cable type and that an electrician fitted it, not the suppler.
If that cable is your side of the meter it would be allowed to be installed like that as it is mechanically protected.
Understanding exactly where that cable is relative to your main main fuse, meter, and consumer unit is key to saying who is responsible for it.
(the cable on the right is more complicated, we can come to that later!)

you’re 100% right in your first sentence.
This is at front hall of house and the main fuse and meter is on the opposite side of that wall. The consumer unit is in utility room at rear of house.
And there’s more to the story. I drilled a hole for a mirror, drilling into the mains cable(black in pic). What followed was a shower of sparks and complete power cut to home. After this an electrician replaced mains fuse and performed a short-term fix on the damaged cable to get the power back on. I’m now going to contact the builder but trying to figure out where I stand regarding building regulations. Home is a 5 year old new-build.

 

[Yozza19]

I’m

you’re 100% right in your first sentence.
This is at front hall of house and the main fuse and meter is on the opposite side of that wall. The consumer unit is in utility room at rear of house.
And there’s more to the story. I drilled a hole for a mirror, drilling into the mains cable(black in pic). What followed was a shower of sparks and complete power cut to home. After this an electrician replaced mains fuse and performed a short-term fix on the damaged cable to get the power back on. I’m now going to contact the builder but trying to figure out where I stand regarding building regulations. Home is a 5 year old new-build.

If metre is directly behind I would suggest cable is within a zone

 

[brianmoooore]

When considering if where you want to drill is in a 'safe one', always consider BOTH sides of the wall.

 

[timhoward]

And there’s more to the story. I drilled a hole for a mirror, drilling into the mains cable(black in pic).

I feel your pain. Over the years I've suddenly heard gas and suddenly felt mains water. Never managed to drill into a cable. Let's see what next week brings...

 

[nicebutdim]

When considering if where you want to drill is in a 'safe one', always consider BOTH sides of the wall.

We still don't know if the conduit is serving something on that side of the wall.

 

[Electrics]

I’m

you’re 100% right in your first sentence.
This is at front hall of house and the main fuse and meter is on the opposite side of that wall. The consumer unit is in utility room at rear of house.
And there’s more to the story. I drilled a hole for a mirror, drilling into the mains cable(black in pic). What followed was a shower of sparks and complete power cut to home. After this an electrician replaced mains fuse and performed a short-term fix on the damaged cable to get the power back on. I’m now going to contact the builder but trying to figure out where I stand regarding building regulations. Home is a 5 year old new-build.

That's your problem.

SWA is mechanically protected so not sure how this stands in the regs and whether it still needs to be in a zone but putting it in the wall like that is imo just shoddy.

 

[Martyparty]

We still don't know if the conduit is serving something on that side of the wall.

If I understand correctly… there’s a socket lower down the wall.

 

[brianmoooore]

If I understand correctly… there’s a socket lower down the wall.

IF the above is true, then the OP drilled a hole i a safe zone, and the problem is entirely his fault.

 

[Martyparty]

IF the above is true, then the OP drilled a hole i a safe zone, and the problem is entirely his fault.

Yikes… not what I was hoping to hear but thanks for input.

 

[nicebutdim]

If I understand correctly… there’s a socket lower down the wall.

See the link about safe zones in the first reply. Unfortunate situation, but it is indeed acceptable to have this cable where it is.

 

[Martyparty]

How about a photo of the whole wall, showing anything above or below the cable?

 

[brianmoooore]

There was a DIY bit on a TV show a couple of days ago where they drilled a hole in a wall. The chosen spot was close to, but not quite in a safe zone, but no mention was made of them at all. Would help if the £experts" publicised their existence and position.