Smoke coming from electric meter/fuse box area

[A14n]

Hi just a question, this morning I noticed a 2 gang socket had no power to it, went to check the fuse box/electric meter in the cupboard... and there was a lot of smoke coming out from somewhere? Its not smoking any more. The 2 way gang socket is completely dead. All other outlets seem fine and not affected.

What would be the problem? Is this an expensive job, still waiting to here back from an electrician.

Thanks

 

[onions1066]

Not sure about banking and shaming possibly should remove that post. He has fitted a very cheap basic con unit so as said 400 to do the job properly and would take a full day if you have a full test and all paperwork filled out. Why does he keep starting at 6pm? Would be good to see inside the board. Wonder if gas and water are even bonded in 10mm seeing as we are assuming that overheard line has been converted into a pme system????

 

[A14n]

This earth is connected to the water pipe outside the cupboard and another on the pipe inside near the CU

 

[telectrix]

This earth is connected to the water pipe outside the cupboard and another on the pipe inside near the CU

View attachment 36847

hope he cleaned the paint off under that clamp.

 

[A14n]

hope he cleaned the paint off under that clamp.

It's hard to tell even by close inpection, maybe a little bit scraped off...

 

[onions1066]

Is that near the stop tap? Where's the gas bond?

 

[Taylortwocities]

I've just been looking at the before and after pictures
BEFORE

View attachment 36822

AFTER

View attachment 36839

Once upon a time, this was a TT installation.
It would seem that he has removed the old VoELCB and done a "DIY" conversion of the supply to TNC-S. I thought that this could only be done by the DNO (electrical supplier), and not your general jobbing electrician.

 

[telectrix]

I've just been looking at the before and after pictures
BEFORE

AFTER


Once upon a time, this was a TT installation.
It would seem that he has removed the old VoELCB and done a "DIY" conversion of the supply to TNC-S. I thought that this could only be done by the DNO (electrical supplier), and not your general jobbing electrician.

but is it TNC-S. who knows if there's a N-E link in the head, and who knows if the supply is PME

 

[onions1066]

I know for sure two people who don't know. His electricians!

 

[Dave OCD]

but is it TNC-S. who knows if there's a N-E link in the head, and who knows if the supply is PME

He'll have had the main fuse out to fit the DP block where the old voltage trip once lived, maybe even put in a link himself ! Without seeing inside the board this job is rough as, why leave the main earth that long, no effort made to tidy or secure the tails and you can see the inner insulation on both old and new tails at the new block, shoddy !

 

[davesparks]

for the CU change including certificate and fixing minor problems no more than £400 on my shift.

edit. just seen you rlas post. put the freezer on an extension lead to a working socket.

£400 for doing it out of normal hours? I'd be wanting a lot more for giving up an evening to do it.

 

[Dave OCD]

So you'd want a lot more than £75-£80 an hour Dave ? I couldn't sleep easy charging that to be honest.

 

[onions1066]

£400 for doing it out of normal hours? I'd be wanting a lot more for giving up an evening to do it.

I want to work for you. What's your hourly rate!

 

[A14n]

Ok so all sockets are now working and the landing light except the switches don't seem to be working as they should... Combinations below...

Upstairs switch up, downstairs switch doesn't work.

Upstairs switch down, downstairs switch up - light on

Downstairs switch down, upstairs light switch does not work at all.

 

[DPG]

Ok so all sockets are now working and the landing light except the switches don't seem to be working as they should... Combinations below...

Upstairs switch up, downstairs switch doesn't work.

Upstairs switch down, downstairs switch up - light on

Downstairs switch down, upstairs light switch does not work at all.

You need a refund for the works done as they are blatantly shoddy. You then need to get another sparky to check your system thoroughly. If the obvious stuff is this bad then I'd be worried what hidden nasties there may be.

 

[Midwest]

What is that 'Radio Teleswitch' doing of?

Was it for off peak heating? Might be worth getting that removed by DNO or Supplier. Then get Supplier to reposition meter and replace their tails, then ask the DNO what supply you have, then get another electrician/company in to reinstall CU (perhaps removing half the wooden board, ask DNO permiss' first) and advise on condition of your electrical installation.

I would think long and hard about paying for what's been done so far, get second opinion. If your electrician is not in a scam (government approved scheme ), he's going to have trouble notifying to local building control, without some skulduggery.

Getting something like this done at 6 o'clock at night, is asking for trouble, IMO.