Sparky help - Electrical Circuit - Yay or Nay
Discussion
I've got an electrical circuit I'm dubious about, as described below. Do I need it fixed before selling the house?
It's a spur with a single 13A socket from the consumer unit. It's currently wired into the breaker for the downstairs ring main.
It's about 6ft long, isn't in any Zone 2 etc areas, but also isn't protected in any conduits etc (it's cable tied to the wall).
My instincts tell me it's probably not legal under Part P, but does any qualified electrician want to comment?
If it's not, then what needs to be done to make it legal? If it's too much hassle, then by this time tomorrow there'll be no sign that it ever existed in the first place...
It's a spur with a single 13A socket from the consumer unit. It's currently wired into the breaker for the downstairs ring main.
It's about 6ft long, isn't in any Zone 2 etc areas, but also isn't protected in any conduits etc (it's cable tied to the wall).
My instincts tell me it's probably not legal under Part P, but does any qualified electrician want to comment?
If it's not, then what needs to be done to make it legal? If it's too much hassle, then by this time tomorrow there'll be no sign that it ever existed in the first place...
That method of installation is fine, provided the correct size cable has been used and there are no other deviations from the regs.
BS 7671 On Site Guide - Appendix 8 - 8.2.4 Spurs
"In an A1 ring final circuit and an A2 radial circuit of Table 8A of a non-fused spur should feed only one single or one twin or one twin or multiple socket-outlet or one item of permanently connected equipment. Such a spur should be connected to the circuit at the terminals of a socket outlet or junction box or at the origin of the circuit in the distribution board."
Dave - Qualified spark
PH5121 said:
If it is tagged into the ring circuit mcb at the consumer unit, meaning there are three cables in then take it out.
If you don't need it there is no point in keeping it as it sounds like it has been a diy bodge by someone.
That is not correct.If you don't need it there is no point in keeping it as it sounds like it has been a diy bodge by someone.
BS 7671 On Site Guide - Appendix 8 - 8.2.4 Spurs
"In an A1 ring final circuit and an A2 radial circuit of Table 8A of a non-fused spur should feed only one single or one twin or one twin or multiple socket-outlet or one item of permanently connected equipment. Such a spur should be connected to the circuit at the terminals of a socket outlet or junction box or at the origin of the circuit in the distribution board."
Dave - Qualified spark
Ganglandboss said:
That method of installation is fine, provided the correct size cable has been used and there are no other deviations from the regs.
BS 7671 On Site Guide - Appendix 8 - 8.2.4 Spurs
"In an A1 ring final circuit and an A2 radial circuit of Table 8A of a non-fused spur should feed only one single or one twin or one twin or multiple socket-outlet or one item of permanently connected equipment. Such a spur should be connected to the circuit at the terminals of a socket outlet or junction box or at the origin of the circuit in the distribution board."
Dave - Qualified spark
PH5121 said:
If it is tagged into the ring circuit mcb at the consumer unit, meaning there are three cables in then take it out.
If you don't need it there is no point in keeping it as it sounds like it has been a diy bodge by someone.
That is not correct.If you don't need it there is no point in keeping it as it sounds like it has been a diy bodge by someone.
BS 7671 On Site Guide - Appendix 8 - 8.2.4 Spurs
"In an A1 ring final circuit and an A2 radial circuit of Table 8A of a non-fused spur should feed only one single or one twin or one twin or multiple socket-outlet or one item of permanently connected equipment. Such a spur should be connected to the circuit at the terminals of a socket outlet or junction box or at the origin of the circuit in the distribution board."
Dave - Qualified spark
Ganglandboss said:
"In an A1 ring final circuit and an A2 radial circuit of Table 8A of a non-fused spur should feed only one single or one twin or one twin or multiple socket-outlet or one item of permanently connected equipment. Such a spur should be connected to the circuit at the terminals of a socket outlet or junction box or at the origin of the circuit in the distribution board."
Dave - Qualified spark
It may be the NICEIC guidance notes rather than the regs then, but spurring from the mcb is frowned upon now.Dave - Qualified spark
OP- not something I'd fret over though.
cj_eds said:
The cable is a 3 core flex, it's not a twin & earth. Will have a look into getting a photo. All helpful advice so far though thanks.
I know my previous post was poo pooed. However it sounds even more like a DIY bodge now you have said it is in flex. I am sure someone may say if it is in the correct size of flex it will be okay (2.5mm flex will carry 25 amps). If you are trying to sell your house just remove it, it's a five minute job. If you are questioning if it is okay a purchasers surveyor may do so too, you could end up having to have a periodic inspection to ascertain all is correct to satisfy any potential purchaser. On an aside, the On Site Guide is produced by the IET not the NICEIC, as is BS7671 (the 17th edition regulations).
Edited by PH5121 on Tuesday 31st August 09:33
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