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Shock Likelihood at Switch.

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Mornin' All,


I have just inspected and tested a renovated  old flat's wiring. The original lighting wiring in places has no circuit protective conductor. The owner has installed metal plate light switches to two positions with wooden back boxes. At these two positions there is no circuit protective conductor. The flat has a new R.C.B.O. consumer unit and all other wiring is good.


I have recommended that the switches have a C.P.C. installed (difficult and disruptive) or be changed to all insulated types.


Just what is the shock risk at these two switch positions? What is the likelihood of the metal plates becoming live due to a fault? Has anyone every seen a metal plate switch break down so that the plates becomes live?


Thanks,


Z.

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    As others who have done it will agree, being an expert witness isn’t the easiest thing in the world, especially if the judge reads up on the subject! I was involved with an inquest a bit back, and with the help of BOD’s extensive Wiring Regs library, I was able to show that the installation did not comply with the regulations when it was installed - a TT system without either an RCD or VOELCB. BOD was able to furnish the appropriate pages from both the 13th edition (1963 amendment) and the initial version of the 14th, as I couldn’t determine which was the current version when the property was built. 


    You could introduce the ESF guides as indicators of best practice, or perhaps detail that the manufacturer had fitted an earth terminal that was not connected. Although electricity was not his subject, I felt that the judge read my report from cover to cover, plus the parts of the standards I had referred to. The questions I was asked were certainly relevant and researched. 


    Regards,


    Alan.
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  • 0
    As others who have done it will agree, being an expert witness isn’t the easiest thing in the world, especially if the judge reads up on the subject! I was involved with an inquest a bit back, and with the help of BOD’s extensive Wiring Regs library, I was able to show that the installation did not comply with the regulations when it was installed - a TT system without either an RCD or VOELCB. BOD was able to furnish the appropriate pages from both the 13th edition (1963 amendment) and the initial version of the 14th, as I couldn’t determine which was the current version when the property was built. 


    You could introduce the ESF guides as indicators of best practice, or perhaps detail that the manufacturer had fitted an earth terminal that was not connected. Although electricity was not his subject, I felt that the judge read my report from cover to cover, plus the parts of the standards I had referred to. The questions I was asked were certainly relevant and researched. 


    Regards,


    Alan.
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