UK SWA Cable termination

[ipf]

I charged my usual £90 per hour + vat

Thought you might. Cheap as chips, as usual.

 

[David Prosser]

My guess is that it‘s a 2 core cable ( else would normally be in Br, BL, Gry) and that 1) there’s no cpc been taken with it (although do I spy a 100mA RCD which could suggest a TT so there could be some horrendous rod mashup somewhere else), 2) that inner SWA section got cut off and used as an insulated and sheathed(?!) short link from the board to a separate breaker, and then another one wouldn’t fit in the same hole so stripped the sheath off, hence the exposed L & N.

Also - this was reportable work under Part P so you should have had a full set of paperwork with it (not Scotland) - I‘d be seriously tempted to complain and ask for an independent inspection from Certsure.

You can get single phase SWA core colours from most suppliers.

 

[mjjm986]

So, I took a few more pics.

This is the other end of the SWA cable coming into the consumer unit inside the shed.

It then runs off to feed the three double sockets. Idea is that another breaker is added in the next few weeks for a feed to garden pond and lights.

I need to chat to the electrician tomorrow. Any advice on what.i should ask him to do to put right? He is due to be paid however I'm not comfortable with this. For example in the main board in the house there are pieces of the steel from the steel wire cable sticking out through the white insulation tape, am I right in thinking, worst case scenario, they could become electrified and cause a risk of shock?

 

[Dustydazzler]

Looks like someone stole your main switch ....

 

[mjjm986]

Looks like someone stole your main switch ....

I did wonder why there was isolation in the house but not the shed, surely in an emergency a mains switch would be required in the shed.

 

[mjjm986]

You can get single phase SWA core colours from most suppliers.

I think someone else mentioned I was from Northern Ireland, forgot to add that to my post ?

 

[westward10]

That is appalling if we employed anyone who carried out work to that standard they would be sacked. If the armour is the earth then you have problems however there is an additional cpc. As above the main switch is missing, I am not sure this individual should be doing electrical work.

 

[Cagethethird]

Did you take the cover off for the photo or was it left like that?

 

[IAmSparkytus!]

So THATS how you make off an SWA.... I've been doing it wrong all these years ?

 

[mjjm986]

Did you take the cover off for the photo or was it left like that?

I isolates the lower and removed the cover to get a look.

 

[westward10]

I'm afraid what needs to happen is you find a competent electrician who can advise how to make it safe.

 

[mjjm986]

I'm afraid what needs to happen is you find a competent electrician who can advise how to make it safe.

Really? I was gonna give him the chance to put right, but I must admit I'm worries that I won't know what right and what's not.

 

[MJPD29]

Really? I was gonna give him the chance to put right, but I must admit I'm worries that I won't know what right and what's not.

I agree, give him a chance. He hasn't got a leg to stand on there is no excuse for that sort of work whatsoever

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I'm all for giving someone a second chance, but not in this case. They clearly take no pride in their work and this is your safety that is at stake. I would absolutely not want that person back in my house.

 

[littlespark]

Oooh… that’s a special type of wrong.

Missing mainswitch is just puzzling.
No glands on the SWA is rough.

You sure this was an electrician?

 

[MJPD29]

Oooh… that’s a special type of wrong.

Missing mainswitch is just puzzling.
No glands on the SWA is rough.

You sure this was an electrician?

It actually seems more difficult to connect that live in with the busbar than to use a main switch. Maybe he's trying to use up materials left over from job

 

[westward10]

Really? I was gonna give him the chance to put right, but I must admit I'm worries that I won't know what right and what's not.

It is fair enough to give someone a second chance we all make mistakes but they are not mistakes those are examples of someone who it totally incompetent and they know no better. I agree with @HappyHippyDad I would not let them touch it. Personally I would be looking at seeking legal advice on how to proceed.

 

[mjjm986]

Thanks everyone for your input so far, really appreciate it. Can I ask, if you were quoting for the same job what way should it have been done.

In the shed am I right in thinking the armoured should have been glanded with an earth taken from the gland to the consumer unit, rather than connect the armour wire? Then the three main cores connected as required with a mains switch.

Then in the house, the cable glanded, with an earth taken from the gland, where would it go from there?

I think we all agree the connections are not acceptable. Is it standard practice though for the feed to come from the main switch to the two new breakers that were added on the main board?

Just trying to get a clear picture in my head of what needs done to for the chap to fix it or if I need to get someone else to do it.

Is some one able to give me the main steps in completing an installation lime this? It would be very helpful.

 

[IAmSparkytus!]

Thanks everyone for your input so far, really appreciate it. Can I ask, if you were quoting for the same job what way should it have been done.

In the shed am I right in thinking the armoured should have been glanded with an earth taken from the gland to the consumer unit, rather than connect the armour wire? Then the three main cores connected as required with a mains switch.

Then in the house, the cable glanded, with an earth taken from the gland, where would it go from there?

I think we all agree the connections are not acceptable. Is it standard practice though for the feed to come from the main switch to the two new breakers that were added on the main board?

Just trying to get a clear picture in my head of what needs done to for the chap to fix it or if I need to get someone else to do it.

Is some one able to give me the main steps in completing an installation lime this? It would be very helpful.

Sounds like you have more of an idea than the cowboy had

 

[IAmSparkytus!]

Don't agree that the cowboy should be given a second chance. If they've done a shocking job like this, do you really think they'll be able to come along and fix all issues?

Looks like they've brought the feed in through the back of the DB in the shed as well making it impossible to gland off.