social club wiring.

[edward cooper]

I recently got a call to my uncles club because lights had gone down in the ladies. neutral had burnt out but mcb (from 1981) never operated. so when he called me I said probably loose connection and arched and burn't out as it was right by the terminal block. Turns out her replaced the fitting six months prior.

Said i would come have look as I have only just completed my 2330 and regs courses.

Grabbed my meter few tools and though i might as well check the circuit while i am there.

Took the cover off the board was faced with 4 lighting breakers 15, 10, 10, 10 amp with at least 3 to 5 lighting circuits on each then running 1mm twin and earth looked at the rest of the board and discovered this 12 way board was running about 35 circuits. No wonder it did not operate

so i asked for his last periodic results to which was well i know i should have them but we dont. i then explained the need for them and also explained that i think if he were to have it done now that i think the visiting spark would probably condem his system.

So i am now standing there thinking i now know why he never called in registered spark as i am not starting 2391 till september.

What advice do you all have.

I think if i was registered I would condem it till it had at least a board change all circuits seperated and full periodic completed and faults rectified.

lookforward to replies

 

[Octopus]

Not sure you could condem the installation by looking at the board, however I would send them an estimate for a periodic noting concerns you have based on your visual. At the very least you've covered yourself

I do work for a local group with a hall and the installation is about 40 years old - there are many sites and houses with old set ups and we simply can't go round condeming sites on the basis of MCB's with more than one circuit on it. Remember a spur can be at the origin of the circuit.

Have fun

 

[Paul.M]

As Murdoch says get a PIR done, you'll come across this type of wiring all the time. For lighting circuits you can have more than one circuit per mcb, long as the mcb is rated lower than the cable. You say one of the lighting circuits is on a 15A mcb in 1mm t+e, this is only acceptable if the full length of the cable is clipped direct (table 6f, method C, osg p134) but not ideal.

You say the rcd did not trip? Ramp test the rcd in question, may be the mechanical parts are fused together, try a manual test first.

PIR first, probably followed with a recommendation for a part rewire (going from the results obtained) and probably a new cu. Has this place got a reged spark? If not post up the location and one of the members could test this and you tag along for some testing experience?