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

 

[Martyparty]

So who drilled into the cable.

That would be moi

 

[Martyparty]

I must say, you did a pretty good job with the drill! Absolutely dead centre.

??

 

[Martyparty]

I must say, you did a pretty good job with the drill! Absolutely dead centre.

I think this image shows off my skills best!

 

[buzzlightyear]

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

mirror mirror on the wall who is idiot of them all ,bang me.lol.

 

[littlespark]

I hope to hell that isn’t live

 

[loz2754]

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

Only if the wall is no more than 100mm in thickness. Which I suspect not to be the case if it's an outside wall.

 

[loz2754]

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

I agree. Although technically, safe zones on the reverse side of a wall with an accessory on the other side, only apply in walls of up to 100mm in thickness. This is probably an outside wall with a much greater thickness.
Always use a wall scanner if in doubt.

 

[timhoward]

The only unlikely scenario that the cable might be ok in the wall like that is if it’s RCD protected.
It the entire installation was TT is there a chance that this (stupidly) complies?
A photo of the main fuse / meter area would complete the set!

 

[Martyparty]

The only unlikely scenario that the cable might be ok in the wall like that is if it’s RCD protected.
It the entire installation was TT is there a chance that this (stupidly) complies?
A photo of the main fuse / meter area would complete the set!

 

[littlespark]

Looks like #11 was spot on.

It needs repaired or replaced, and in the meantime, made safe.

you’ve drilled right through the armour into a conductor, so if it didn’t blow the end of the drill bit, you’ve been lucky.

It may have drilled out some of the copper conductor, reducing its cross section area and reducing its current carrying capacity.

100A main fuse, so I think you have all electric cooking and heating? Big load to run through a damaged cable.

 

[snowhead]

What's directly above the cable that was drilled and or where is the consumer unit in relation to this cable?

 

[pc1966]

I'm impressed it took out the main fuse but with surprisingly little molten metal seen at the point that was drilled.

 

[loz2754]

I'm impressed it took out the main fuse but with surprisingly little molten metal seen at the point that was drilled.

Would be nice to see a pic of the end of the (ex) drill bit.

 

[Martyparty]

Would be nice to see a pic of the end of the (ex) drill bit.

 

[loz2754]

Smokin!