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Safety and age of cutout located next to water main

Lexi

Hi I’ve recently moved into a 1930’s property. The electricity supply has been installed on top of the water main. Has anyone seen this set up before? National Grid are saying that the set up isn’t ideal, however are refusing to visit to check on the safety. I have two small children living with me.

Can anyone give an indication of the age of the cutout and wiring? National Grid are saying that it dates from the 1970’s however I think it’s much older than that.


  • Has anyone seen a set up like this with underground electric and water supplies installed together? The water main has been replaced with poly pipe at some stage.
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  • 0

    its older then the 1970s - may well be pre-war and also may well (shhh) contain asbestos pads in the fuse holder.

    It is a 'loop-in' service so the two cables that supply it are one coming into your property and one carrying the unfused supply on to a neighbour. To change it would cut their supply as well as yours.

    Although common when supplies to cheaper houses were "lighting only", new feeds have not been done like this for some decades.

    The green and yellow earth wire is modern, originally the supply may well have relied upon the lead water service for its earthing, if it had any at all originally.  Earhing for sockets arrived in the regs from the late 1930s onwards, and for lighting circuits in the late 1960s.
    It is not ideal, but assuming no leaks, not immediately dangerous. If you or the linked neighbour intend to add high load item like an electric car, or even install a large solar array, then it will need to be re-done so the service is not shared.

    Interestingly some one has added the meter quite recently, (this century) and presumably was not worried about the asbestos risk, it may mean there isn't any, or that someone was not being very careful.

    Any case my money is on pre-war for the supply cable and the ISCO metal service head. It may have originally been fused neutral as well - also deprecated.

    Given you say the house is circa 1930s it is almost certainly original work Maybe it was supposed to be updated in the '70s and for some reason it never happened, but the record was ticked as if it had.

    Mike

  • 0 in reply to mapj1

    Thank you mapj1, this is all v helpful info. Yes I’m looking to upgrade to a smart meter and get a charging point installed.

Reply Children
  • 0 in reply to Lexi
    Lexi said:
    I really just want the connections brought to the outside wall - they are currently in the downstairs loo!

    I see the problem, especially if you want to add an EVCP.

    I feel sure that the DNO would do the work, but they would charge you. No harm in asking for a quote.

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