Smoke coming from electric meter/fuse box area

[A14n]

Hi just a question, this morning I noticed a 2 gang socket had no power to it, went to check the fuse box/electric meter in the cupboard... and there was a lot of smoke coming out from somewhere? Its not smoking any more. The 2 way gang socket is completely dead. All other outlets seem fine and not affected.

What would be the problem? Is this an expensive job, still waiting to here back from an electrician.

Thanks

 

[telectrix]

and maybe wrap a blanket round the fish tank. it's bye-byes time for fishes anyway.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

plastic CUs don't cause fires. bad workmanship causes fires.

The problem wasn't plastic Cu's as you said it was people doing a poor job and sometimes not tightening terminals correctly. I was taught on my very first job to use a tension screwdriver set to the right setting. My boss for a right one for the little details.
By switching to metal i believe the idea was it would contain any fire better and give people a chance to notice and get out.

 

[D00DY_T00DY]

The problem wasn't plastic Cu's as you said it was people doing a poor job and sometimes not tightening terminals correctly. I was taught on my very first job to use a tension screwdriver set to the right setting. My boss for a right one for the little details.
By switching to metal i believe the idea was it would contain any fire better and give people a chance to notice and get out.

Talking about this point to two joiners this morning "And what if the new metal cases become live like" "think the loose live would be more worrying then the CU being metal rather than plastic "

Scapegoat for the poor workmanship of self proclaimed "electricians"

 

[A14n]

Electrician had just been, our meter and fuse box etc etc is about 56 years old! and highly dangerous. There was an insulated cable in the back of the old fuse box totally melted and charred up. He's getting someone to fit a new system in and fix the light upstairs while he's at it.

Damn that's soo bad.

 

[telectrix]

cheers for the update. the problem was either a poor connection or that particular cable has been overloaded.

 

[Specialist]

If the Fuse box & meter are that old and dangerous, what about the house wiring ? It's quite possibly well past it's use by date.

 

[telectrix]

agree. a rewire may be in order. an EICR would help.

 

[onions1066]

When I started there was no torque drivers I was told.........when your knuckles go white you know it's tight.

 

[A14n]

Guy is coming about 6pm tonight now and staying until it's done. Charging £550... He didn't say about rewiring the whole house.

 

[onions1066]

This is a troll

 

[telectrix]

i'd imagine he'll be fitting a new CU.to latest regs. a full test of the house wiring is essential , as is dealing with any earthing and bonding issues. make sure you receive an installation certificate (EIC), and assurance of notification to building control. £550 seems about right for the above works.

 

[Specialist]

You really do need to get the wiring checked as well, odds on it's the same age as your fuse box.
Only my opinion but I'd say 6.00pm is a rather unusual time to start a CU change out & then fault finding.

 

[A14n]

Yes he did say we'll get a certificate. As couldn't sell the house the way it is.

 

[Spoon]

This is a troll

But they just live under bridges... and don't need a CU....

 

[Andy78]

Only my opinion but I'd say 6.00pm is a rather unusual time to start a CU change out & then fault finding.

With any luck he'll have finished testing before he turns into a pumpkin.

 

[A14n]

Photos of the ancient CU/meter.

 

[onions1066]

Overhead line by the look of the way it enters. Can't see a main earth either but it could be the falling Greek sunshine affecting my eyes.......hope you lot are enjoying work lol. Makes the 6pm start even more impressive........

 

[A14n]

Yeah it's an overhead power line. I finish work about 1am myself. Wonder if he will be finished by then?

 

[telectrix]

he'd better have a good battery floodlight then.

 

[Octopus]

Most of those cables don't look too old...... wonder why the old CU wasn't changed?