UK Looped Service

[Mrtilly]

Hi Guys,
I have a looped service in my house, concerned about the cable going next door. It looks old and brittle (I have not touched) . It was installed about 1955, do you think SP Energy Networks would replace the cable

 

[loz2754]

Agreed that looks potentially dangerous. I'd give your supplier or DNO a call.

 

[UNG]

Is next door earthed? looks like the conduit has been earthed at some point

Call the DNO SP Energy down here they normally attend site within 2 hours

 

[pc1966]

Is next door earthed? looks like the conduit has been earthed at some point

I think it has a wire going in to the ground/concrete/chipboard covering big hole.

But it looks skanky as hell and really need the DNO's attention!

 

[Mrtilly]

Is next door earthed? looks like the conduit has been earthed at some point

Call the DNO SP Energy down here they normally attend site within 2 hours

I think the earth wire was cut off when they replaced the old black fuses

 

[Mrtilly]

Is next door earthed? looks like the conduit has been earthed at some point

Call the DNO SP Energy down here they normally attend site within 2 hours

Hi thanks I have sent them a message and photo of it. However I wanted some advice from you guys in case the try to say it's ok.

 

[pc1966]

The conduit containing those wires must be earthed, and well enough to deal with a really big fault. No idea if it is earthed somewhere out of sight though.

The other issue is they are almost certainly VIR (vulcanised Indian rubber) insulated wires. In most cases the rubber perishes and becomes brittle so dangerous if anything causes movement. They might be OK, miracles do happen, but you have the right attitude of not touching them at all.

The results of a short anywhere exposed to you has the very real risk of 3rd degree burns from the arc-flash and possible eyesight damage, not to mention a house fire risk and electric shock.

 

[UNG]

Hi thanks I have sent them a message and photo of it. However I wanted some advice from you guys in case the try to say it's ok.

If they say it is ok there is little you can do other than make a note of the contact with them for future reference, I had something similar a few years ago, I'm surprised they didn't swap the cable when they changed the service head

 

[Mrtilly]

The conduit containing those wires must be earthed, and well enough to deal with a really big fault. No idea if it is earthed somewhere out of sight though.

The other issue is they are almost certainly VIR (vulcanised Indian rubber) insulated wires. In most cases the rubber perishes and becomes brittle so dangerous if anything causes movement. They might be OK, miracles do happen, but you have the right attitude of not touching them at all.

The results of a short anywhere exposed to you has the very real risk of 3rd degree burns from the arc-flash and possible eyesight damage, not to mention a house fire risk and electric shock.

Hi thanks no earth at my end there was but was cut of when they changed the service head. Just had the faulty meter changed (that's another story!) guy said he would also mention the old cables in his report.

 

[Mrtilly]

I think it has a wire going in to the ground/concrete/chipboard covering big hole.

But it looks skanky as hell and really need the DNO's attention!

My cable is earthed but the cable to next door is no, it was cut off when service head was replaced some year ago.

 

[westward10]

Those conductors are probably PBJ (PolyButyl Jute).

 

[7029 dave]

OP keep us updated, I would be interested what the DNO say/do.

 

[Mrtilly]

OP keep us updated, I would be interested what the DNO say/do.

Will do, I will be pushing it if they don't do any thing about it. (just had a problem with my electric meter my energy supplier was not very helpful. So I explained to them if any thing were to happen they would end up court. Result emergency call out on Friday night meter replaced today)

 

[Micktw68]

They’ll change that. 100%. Did plenty of looped service replacements when I worked for the LEB that were in better condition.

 

[Mrtilly]

OP keep us updated, I would be interested what the DNO say/do.

 

[Mrtilly]

SP Energy Networks sent someone out as an emergency to check it. Said it was ok just now but would have to be replaced. Does not understand why it was not replaced when new service head was done. Spoke about putting new cable through conduit. Told him not happy about doing that so said they would probably put in new service for next door. Thanks for everyone's advice on this.

 

[7029 dave]

Thanks for the update, that's the best solution to run a new supply to the other property.

 

[Mrtilly]

SP Energy Networks sent someone out as an emergency to check it. Said it was ok just now but would have to be replaced. Does not understand why it was not replaced when new service head was done. Spoke about putting new cable through conduit. Told him not happy about doing that so said they would probably put in new service for next door. Thanks for everyone's advice on this.

UPDATE Company carried out survey for SPEN saying the preferred option was to keep the looped service. As it a concrete floor in that part of the house (used to store the coal at one time) they would have to go up and over. They want to run the cable up the wall then up the bedroom wall along the loft space and same for next door. Told the was not having that (bat enough with the shower cable taking that route). Spoke to them on the phone today they saying that's the only way as it concrete floor. I would have thought they could bring a new supply up the wall next door and cover with protection plate, so said that to them so they now going to pass it back to Scottish Power Energy Networks

 

[Darkwood]

I'm surprised they didn't swap the cable when they changed the service head

That would be too easy, the problem is the DNO is split into several divisions all doing their separate bit, it is highly likely the person who upgraded the service head wouldn't have a clue about the need to replace those, nor would the person fitting the meter etc etc... there was once a time many decades ago when they had skilled people who did the job lot and knew their stuff and this would never have been left like that.

 

[brianmoooore]

Stick to your guns. The problem is with next door's supply, not yours. It's not your problem how they get a new supply to next door, nor should it inconvenience you in any way..
If it was a new build next door, they wouldn't be wanting to "run it up your bedroom wall", so don't let them now.