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Dangerous Meter Connection.

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Today I went to give an estimate for a rewire. The wiring dates back to the 50s and 60s with some newer wiring. There is a 6 way brown Wylex B.S. 3036 consumer unit. It is fed by a twin rubber insulated cable of about 6.0mm2 conductors, but in an imperial size. The meter people had installed a new isolator and meter. They had connected in the rubber insulated "tails" even though the ends are single insulated and perished and some rubber is missing from the black core with the conductor showing,  and both conductors are badly compressed one against the other  just about to short when the old rubber finally gives way. The main fuse is a 63 Amp size. The rubber insulated cable is both a fire and shock risk. 


Why would the meter people reconnect it?  They are criminally negligent.


Z.
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  • 0
    AJJewsbury:
    Why would the meter people reconnect it?

    Probably because disconnecting it - and presumably leaving the occupants with little or no means of cooking, lighting or heating -  probably carries a greater risk. Presumably they drew their attention to the problem (hence the call to you) so they know not to touch or prod it.


    They probably don't have any right to force a disconnection - so if the customer says 'it's OK, I'll get someone in to look at it' - what can they do?


      - Andy.


    The very dangerous installation was inherited by the new owners within the last couple of months.  I remember the days when the "Electricity Board" would not connect, if at the  time of testing the installation was dangerous.


    Z.


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  • 0
    AJJewsbury:
    Why would the meter people reconnect it?

    Probably because disconnecting it - and presumably leaving the occupants with little or no means of cooking, lighting or heating -  probably carries a greater risk. Presumably they drew their attention to the problem (hence the call to you) so they know not to touch or prod it.


    They probably don't have any right to force a disconnection - so if the customer says 'it's OK, I'll get someone in to look at it' - what can they do?


      - Andy.


    The very dangerous installation was inherited by the new owners within the last couple of months.  I remember the days when the "Electricity Board" would not connect, if at the  time of testing the installation was dangerous.


    Z.


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