Unidentifed Cables from Main Supply

[MadMax14]

I have recently moved into a new house and had to reset the breaker after a bulb went. When I was crawling around with a torch, I noticed some cables (Red, Black, and Blue-ish/Green-ish) leaving the main supply and running into the wall without going through the meter or the consumer unit.

Is this normal? Is there a second meter somewhere? Shared supply?

New consumer unit was fitted about 2 or 3 years ago.

I haven't been into the foundations yet to have a look but I thought someone here might have an idea of what they are for.

Thanks.

 

[littlespark]

An electrician will be able to test it, and possible trace where it’s going.... but would not be able to remove it.

Try your supplier first, but they just might tell you to phone the network operator.

 

[MadMax14]

Called my electricity supplier and they confirmed the supply is for my property only and the adjoining neighbour has their own supply.

What's the next step? See if there is current in the wires? Go under the floor and try to trace where they lead?

I do hope this isn't an illegal setup...

 

[telectrix]

clamp meter the red cable. see if it's carrying any current.

 

[snowhead]

If there's no meter on the end of the cables, it will be for the D.N.O to disconnect but you'll need to find the ends to confirm that.

The DNO will want to know that they aren't cutting of someone with an unregistered meter or a legitimate unmetered supply.

 

[DPG]

Looking forward to seeing the outcome of this one.

 

[littlespark]

Agree. Please let us know how this pans out.

 

[MadMax14]

I'll go under the floor this weekend and have a look see where the cables go, take a few photos, and keep you posted.

 

[MadMax14]

As promised here are some photos of the cable from under the floor:



The first 3 photos show the cable running through a metal pipe and then into the neighbour's property. I assume that this means the guy I spoke to from the energy supplier either misunderstood the question or didn't have a clue.

I discovered a few other 'problems' that I am not overly happy about. For example:

• A broken cable held together without a junction box enclosure with the earth wound together and a little solder.
• Junction boxes going into junction boxes, I am not sure if this is a radial or ring curcuit.
• A nail used as cable management/support.
• Huge amount a waste cable that looks connected further under the floor. Although it mostly looks like telecom cabling, there are definatly some mains cables in there but I don't know if they are live or dead. Needless to say, I am not touching it...

Having seen the mess of cables under the floor, I am tempted to get a quote for a full rewire of the house. Although it is probably not worth it as everything is working as it should.

TL;DR: The mysterious cables are the neighbour's main electricity supply.

 

[Wilko]

Hi - it does need a good tidy up, but likely we've all seen worse. Correct me, the mystery red/black singles go back into the black metal pipe we can see under the floor and onto your neighbour's?

 

[snowhead]

or are you saying the red/black singles go back into the black supply cable and onto your neighbour's?

I see that as steel conduit.

 

[Wilko]

Yes - just put me specs on

 

[Wilko]

It does look like it's DNO cables then. I'd ask them to inspect, as the hanging cables could be a hazard and wouldn't seem to be good workmanship.
Who is my Network Operator? - http://www.energynetworks.org/info/faqs/who-is-my-network-operator.html

 

[charlaz angel]

Hi,All
That definately looks like the branch feed to next door by the DNO.
It is fused,due to the fact that it runs in a steel pipe.
Standard practice many moons ago,
If those cables go faulty,New set up now,is concentric cable connected unfused at bottom of cut out,under the cover.

 

[MFS Electrical]

Seeing those cables made me think someone already had! Growing some magic green herbs or running a crypto farm...

Joking aside, is it worth me getting someone to investigate this? I know nothing is 'wrong' with my supply but I don't what to be accused of stealing electricity or get a shock off the cables at some point in the future.

Yeah I’d definitely consider getting the DNO or the electricity board out to have a look.
also I’d look into having an electrician swing by for a gander and possibly an EICR (electrical installation condition report) because from the photo the installation looks poorly done especially with the hacked holes in the top surface of the fusebox
Edit; I’d definitely be acquiring an electrician to do a full in depth EICR based on the board and your later post.