Advice on old style junction box for cooker - need to replace cooker, told box illegal?

[ipf]

The joint was covered with a piece of plywood, and then covered over with tiles.[/QUOTE]
I know...and it's not good.......but it's not plastered in the wall. How long ago was it done, was it a good connection and how long has it lasted? 25 years ago, I'd have used through crimps....so what?
What's wrong with ply....compared with timber and plasterboard?

 

[telectrix]

If you have some spare tiles, the proper way is to remove a vertical row and fit a cooker connection point at lower level.

But I was really suprised about something

There's ELECTRICITY in North Wales? Blimey!

OP is in Betws-y-Coed. next to a bloody fast flowing river and he's got a water wheel.

 

[telectrix]

Thank you so much for all your advice, everyone. I'd willingly pay an electrician to install the new cooker but I had one installer arrive who said he could not install the cooker because the box was "illegal" and he was "not able to fit a new box". My main dilemma is this is rural North Wales and NO ONE will do the job! One electrician said he was fully booked until end of September 2018 and none of the others will even return phone calls! I cannot find an electrician to come to the Betws-y-Coed area. We would do it ourselves and are pretty handy with 'normal' DIY, woodwork, simple plumbing etc, but is installing the new cooker something we can safely do ourselves? Or can anyone find an electrician in this area?? Many thanks again!

got a mate in Colwyn Bay. he might cover betws.

 

[Katoli]

This is the current connection (no pun intended lol) which has been in place since before I bought this property 26 years ago. I had a new cooker delivered from a major high street retailer and they said they could not install it because the setting was "illegal". Is it worth my ordering a cooker with install from a different major retailer and see if they'll just install the cooker, or am I just going to come up against the same "illegal" issue? The grill and hobs of the cooker still work but the oven has packed up and Christmas lunch was cooked on a tiny little table top cooker (much smaller than a Baby Belling!) that only cooks one meal at a time! Am I really missing something (I expect so lol) but can't the new cooker just be installed by ourselves into the present fittings??

 

[Katoli]

got a mate in Colwyn Bay. he might cover betws.

Oh wow! Have you got his number?

 

[telectrix]

hang 5. pm on way.

 

[Des 56]

but can't the new cooker just be installed by ourselves into the present fittings??

Dim problem, you can install the new cooker yourself

If you do so it will be done without essential tests that can ensure safety before making the cooker live
There is no restriction on who can or can't connect a appliance,if you feel competent its your own decision

 

[ruston]

There's ELECTRICITY in North Wales? Blimey!

And a nuclear power station .

 

[Midwest]

The joint was covered with a piece of plywood, and then covered over with tiles.

I know...and it's not good.......but it's not plastered in the wall. How long ago was it done, was it a good connection and how long has it lasted? 25 years ago, I'd have used through crimps....so what?
What's wrong with ply....compared with timber and plasterboard?[/QUOTE]

Thing is, nobody knows do they. If I got some 'arching or sparking', where could it be happening, that's the issue with all these joints when there's a problem, like countless threads we've had here.

 

[NDG Elecs]

And a nuclear power station .

And an ugly house....
ugly house betws y coed - Google pretraga - https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ugly+house+betws+y+coed&client=ms-android-google&prmd=imsvn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj-7tCW-q3YAhVDKcAKHYpkBVgQ_AUIESgB&biw=377&bih=543#imgrc=8XWPxNmGICKGFM:

And best of all a giant cock!
betws y coed giant cock - Google pretraga - https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=betws+y+coed+giant+cock&client=ms-android-google&prmd=ivsn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiZt-Dt-a3YAhWnJMAKHeScCLsQ_AUIESgB&biw=377&bih=543#imgrc=TgmWJZwtrC3pLM:

 

[ipf]

I know...and it's not good.......but it's not plastered in the wall. How long ago was it done, was it a good connection and how long has it lasted? 25 years ago, I'd have used through crimps....so what?
What's wrong with ply....compared with timber and plasterboard?

Thing is, nobody knows do they. If I got some 'arching or sparking', where could it be happening, that's the issue with all these joints when there's a problem, like countless threads we've had here.[/QUOTE]
I know what you're saying but that's how things were done then. If it was done DIY there would be more chance of problems than if it was by someone who knew their job.
You've come across it. Would you say it's a bad connection? No access, I know, but there was no regulation insisting upon it.
Current requirements take into account (much more) for the interference of the lesser qualified or, to some extent, the non qualified. Hence, I feel, the market for upgraded methods of connection has risen.
A generation before that you could have found porcelain 'screwits' on vir, which I personally hate....but methods evolve.

 

[Midwest]

I'm not sure that type of connection would ever been seen as acceptable?

Edit; not the joint, but the concealing of?

 

[ipf]

I'm not sure that type of connection would ever been seen as acceptable?

Edit; not the joint, but the concealing of?

Why? A very high percentage of joints in houses were, at one time, inaccessible.....and not against regulations.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Why? A very high percentage of joints in houses were, at one time, inaccessible.....and not against regulations.

I would disagree with that.
Perhaps you could inform us which edition of the Regulations allowed connections to be inaccessible?

 

[Katoli]

Thanks everyone for all the advice and comments. And an especially big thank you to Telectrix who has found me an electrician! Happy Days!

 

[Spoon]

This is the current connection (no pun intended lol) which has been in place since before I bought this property 26 years ago. I had a new cooker delivered from a major high street retailer and they said they could not install it because the setting was "illegal". Is it worth my ordering a cooker with install from a different major retailer and see if they'll just install the cooker, or am I just going to come up against the same "illegal" issue?

Hi OP. As you have already been told, the only issue is with the dangling cable. Get some white plastic mini trunking and fix it to the wall for the cable going to the new cooker, when you get it. Best to fix it properly rather than use adhesive alone as the heat will affect the adhesive.
If the new cooker people say it's 'illegal' again just ask "What part of BS 7671 does it not comply with?" Ask to see the actual print in the Big Yellow Book. That should stop the muppets in their tracks... If they try and BS you tell them that you will question their comments on an electrical forum, and you will state company name and installer name... See what they say then.

 

[Midwest]

Why? A very high percentage of joints in houses were, at one time, inaccessible.....and not against regulations.

Something concealed in a JB in a ceiling void is inaccessible, but common practise for some years, I concede that. A joint in a wall, done in connectors, covered in ply, plastered & tiled over, is a whole different concept IMO

 

[Midwest]

Hi OP. As you have already been told, the only issue is with the dangling cable. Get some white plastic mini trunking and fix it to the wall for the cable going to the new cooker, when you get it. Best to fix it properly rather than use adhesive alone as the heat will affect the adhesive.
If the new cooker people say it's 'illegal' again just ask "What part of BS 7671 does it not comply with?" Ask to see the actual print in the Big Yellow Book. That should stop the muppets in their tracks... If they try and BS you tell them that you will question their comments on an electrical forum, and you will state company name and installer name... See what they say then.

I know me & ipf, have taken it a bit off topic, but that's the sixth same suggestion on cable restraint & mini trunking. Just saying

 

[Spoon]

I know me & ipf, have taken it a bit off topic, but that's the sixth same suggestion on cable restraint & mini trunking. Just saying

Very true mate but the OP stated the same thing on his second post so I thought I would give my full opinion.
We are really trying to brain-wash him into knowing its not "illegal" really...

 

[ipf]

I would disagree with that.
Perhaps you could inform us which edition of the Regulations allowed connections to be inaccessible?

Just found an old 14th...B.73....joints for non flex cables shall be accessible for inspection, not applying to cables buried underground or enclosed in building materials....so certainly not in all situations.