SWA (Surprisingly Weird Arrangement)

[HandyMann]

So I’m an inexperienced novice and I accept I know two ninths of four fifths of FA but when was this arrangement ever ok?
Installing like for like replacement garden lights, currently connected to a run of 4 core 1.5mm SWA emerging from ducting under patio. Somewhere further back it’s joined to lighting circuit and then back to 6A RCBO.
Brown and blue cores utilised for L and N of lights.
Grey and Black cores are also put to use, as L and N for an outdoor 13A socket at the end of the garden. The armour is providing the cpc and zs measurements at lights show it’s doing a fine job.
The switch for the garden lights also disconnects the line to the outside socket.
Am I missing something here? I’ve told clients that the socket has to go.

 

[Pete999]

Wondering if you can upgrade the OCPD (mcb) to a 10A. You have to turn the lights on to use the socket. If you not going to use the socket all the time one a or twice a year. I would not care.

I would worry more about the construction and method of jointing the two cables, to which there has been no response as yet.

 

[Spoon]

I would worry more about the construction and method of jointing the two cables, to which there has been no response as yet.

I'm still waiting for a reply from my post #2 question.....
I'm feeling rejected...

 

[HandyMann]

I would worry more about the construction and method of jointing the two cables, to which there has been no response as yet.

I’ve no idea how it’s connected to the lighting circuit and I’m not hacking out their floors and walls to find out. Zs is good and, other than the lights were old there were no reported problems. New rcbo tests well from new lights too.

 

[HandyMann]

I'm still waiting for a reply from my post #2 question.....
I'm feeling rejected...

See post #4

 

[HandyMann]

I suppose a 5A fused Connection Unit fitted to the socket feed would prevent unwanted overload tripping of the lights, should they use anything too big in the socket.

 

[Pete999]

Wondering if you can upgrade the OCPD (mcb) to a 10A. You have to turn the lights on to use the socket. If you not going to use the socket all the time one a or twice a year. I would not care.

I would worry more about the construction and method of jointing the two cables, to which there has been no response as yet.

I'm still waiting for a reply from my post #2 question.....
I'm feeling rejected...

I know what you mean, disheartening isn't it?

 

[Spoon]

See post #4

Well spank me silly.... I didn't spot that post... Soz mate...

 

[sham]

I would worry more about the construction and method of jointing the two cables, to which there has been no response as yet.

OK

 

[alexander jackson]

Sounds completely unconventional but if it all meets the required Zs and the RCBO trips at the correct m/s it should be okay...I think.

 

[Pete999]

Sounds completely unconventional but if it all meets the required Zs and the RCBO trips at the correct m/s it should be okay...I think.

Sorry Alex, I disagree with your post, not out of malice, but, you could say the same with other DIY work, that may meet disconnection times etc, but wired in a dangerous way.

 

[alexander jackson]

Pete999 No problem as I would not wire anything like that myself, was just wondering if it complied it may be alright to leave but in reality it is not correct.

 

[davesparks]

I would worry more about the construction and method of jointing the two cables, to which there has been no response as yet.

Just reading through the thread I’ve seen two responses to this.

 

[davesparks]

What was the original purpose of this socket? Was it there for one of those annoying pre-fab lighting kits which comes with a 13A plug fitted to it or maybe for fairy lights?

People are so quick to condemn this as a DIY bodge yet there has been no mention of a poor standard of installation or incorrect termination of cables. We don’t know if the original specification was to provide an external socket for the connection of lights to the same switch as the permanent lights.

 

[Toneyz]

What was the original purpose of this socket? Was it there for one of those annoying pre-fab lighting kits which comes with a 13A plug fitted to it or maybe for fairy lights?

People are so quick to condemn this as a DIY bodge yet there has been no mention of a poor standard of installation or incorrect termination of cables. We don’t know if the original specification was to provide an external socket for the connection of lights to the same switch as the permanent lights.

This is my conclusion after reading the thread. You would hope that an electrician would if contracted to do work would label the socket.

 

[HandyMann]

This is my conclusion after reading the thread. You would hope that an electrician would if contracted to do work would label the socket.

I’ve agreed to leave it connected but will install a fcu prior to the socket labelled at 5A max. I’ve no reason to believe this was a diy install.