cable burn out

[chloebear]

I have a site where a large number of circuits were rewired about 4 years ago in LSF twin/earth. these circuits include lighting, showers, sockets etc - all fairly standard stuff on the face of it.
Problems have developed over the last 6 months with cable burn-out on certain accessories - 2x light fittings have burnt out the fittings at the terminals, a shower isolator (50amp) has burnt out & a fan heater has caused fairly serious fire.

Seems too random for poor workmanship - I am now starting to think along the lines of sub standard cable.

anyone out there come across this as an issue & what would be he best way to test for this?????

 

[trev]

Did you buy good quality cable from a known supplier or knock off cack off fleabay? If it's the former then I'd say it's unlikely to be that, if the latter it could be cheap counterfeit rubbish from some cowboy out the back of beyond.
Did one person carry out the whole installation?

 

[DPG]

Any photo's? Is the damage at the terminals of the accessories? Sounds like someone didn't tighten things up properley? Daz

 

[Marvo]

Or maybe they were built like a gorilla and overtightened everything if it's small cable sizes.

 

[trev]

Why not knock the juice off and check a few random terminations. If they're loose it's a workmanship problem

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Yes I'd be looking for signs of incorrect termination technique. Are the accessories of good make? It's much more likely for a burn-out at a fitting to be caused by the fitting than by the cable. If it were undersize enough to cause burnout you would spot it immediately, if it were not proper solid copper you would feel it as you pull the accessories apart.

 

[Darkwood]

Is alot of this issue on fine wire cables?... have the appropriate ferrules been used, not crimping fine wire or using connectors designed for uncrimped fine wire is a key cause of electrical fires.

As for it across the other circuits I'd also pt it down to poor workmanship possible using old rounded off screw drivers or apprentices not getting supervised enough.

 

[wozz]

where was fine wire cable mentioned?

 

[Darkwood]

where was fine wire cable mentioned?

It was a question if you re-read with an infill following ... but all points to poor termination usually worn drivers if experienced or unmonitored apprentices .

 

[wozz]

Infill following? Over my head mate.

I used to to look after a few building that were wired in a LSF t&e type cable, the cable was about 10 years old and had not handled heat well where it was used with fitting with magnetic ballasts. The insulation would crack badly where it had seen heat within the fittings.

 

[Knobhead]

Why do apprentices get the blame for poor terminations and worn screw heads?

I had the misfortune to get teamed with a guy 20years my senior. He was an animal! 12 isolators so that’s 72 terminals, not one had the screw heads intact.

 

[nickblake]

Put it down to poor quality screws / bolts , cheap accessories

 

[Simlec]

Infill following? Over my head mate.

I used to to look after a few building that were wired in a LSF t&e type cable, the cable was about 10 years old and had not handled heat well where it was used with fitting with magnetic ballasts. The insulation would crack badly where it had seen heat within the fittings.

It will only handle heat the same as none LSF T+E.
The magic happens when you set fire to it.

 

[Simlec]

I would like to see Wago connections on sockets/switches

 

[trev]

I would like to see Wago connections on sockets/switches

Why?
Bolted terminals have worked perfectly well for decades, if you tighten them properly there should be no issues. OK, the cheap cack has rubbish bolts but as long as you use a decent brand you'll be fine?
I think your idea will be used as an excuse for poor workmanship

 

[Simlec]

Why?
Bolted terminals have worked perfectly well for decades, if you tighten them properly there should be no issues. OK, the cheap cack has rubbish bolts but as long as you use a decent brand you'll be fine?
I think your idea will be used as an excuse for poor workmanship

the bolted terminals damage the conductor, besides we could all get home/pub quicker.

 

[trev]

we could all get home/pub quicker.

Perfect reason, I'll back your idea fully

 

[Simlec]

All I need now is a trained snake to pull the Liquorice through the walls/floors.

 

[MerlinGremlin]

Wagon connections is a top idea simlec, I do like that idea as it would prevent unnecessary pressure on the cable causing them to snap, nice and easy to install.

 

[wozz]

It will only handle heat the same as none LSF T+E.
The magic happens when you set fire to it.

My point was it had handles heat far worse than I would have expected twin to have handles it in the same situation.