Temporary Electrical Repairs

[RMS]

I would appreciate your thoughts on two scenarios with regarding compliance with BS7671 and the safety of the electrical installation.

A temporary method of connection on a live cable hanging from a ceiling. Plastic connectors blocks have been used to terminate the cable. The cable is left hanging from the ceiling live.

A neutral-earth dead short on a ring final circuit that resulted in the operation of the RCD. The Associated MCB for the circuit was moved onto the NON-RCD side of the consumer unit to restore power.

All input is appreciated

 

[ricicle]

I would not see the first one as too much of an issue if it is ' placed out of reach' ie steps or access equipment are required to touch it. (maybe not so in a domestic where there is no control over access equipment like there should be at work)
The second one is poor and potentially dangerous.

 

[JohnW2]

I would appreciate your thoughts on two scenarios with regarding compliance with BS7671 and the safety of the electrical installation.
A temporary method of connection on a live cable hanging from a ceiling. Plastic connectors blocks have been used to terminate the cable. The cable is left hanging from the ceiling live.
A neutral-earth dead short on a ring final circuit that resulted in the operation of the RCD. The Associated MCB for the circuit was moved onto the NON-RCD side of the consumer unit to restore power.

Whenever I've seen such questions asked in the past, someone inevitably pipes up with the (true) fact that BS7671 does not generally distinguish between temporary and permanent situations, such that something which would be non-compliant if permanent is equally non-compliant if temporary.

Hence, one has to decide between blind adherence to the regs and, where appropriate, common sense - and the latter will depend an awful lot on the actual situation and, to some extent, how long 'temporary' is.

I have certainly lived happily with live cables terminated in connector blocks dangling from ceilings (out of reach, even of my 6'7" relatives!) for appreciable periods of time - and, provided it is above reach, and the occupants are sensible, I don't see that as an appreciable hazard.

The N-E fault is rather different. You're talking about depriving a circuit of its RCD protection and leaving a known fault in place. Personally, I would possibly tolerate that for a very short time, if I really needed to have the circuit energised, but not for very long.

As above, I'm pretty sure that neither of those is BS7671-compliant, no matter how 'temporary'.

Kind Regards, John.

 

[RMS]

Both installations are domestic accommodation rented out to tenants.

 

[JohnW2]

Both installations are domestic accommodation rented out to tenants.

Oh Dear!

Kind Regards, John.

 

[vibrobullit407]

Neither comply and the second one is potentially dangerous.

Why people think it's a good idea to use connectors and tape as an "enclosure" for live parts is beyond me. Especially when a junction box can be used for this purpose (which is what I do).

With regards to bypassing the RCD protection and leaving a neutral to earth short what more needs said. It is quite literally "shocking". To think that some sparks feel that bypassing the safety device due to it performing as it should and leaving a dangerous situation is beyond me.

In my view neither are acceptable and should not have been left like they were!

 

[RMS]

Neither comply and the second one is potentially dangerous.

Is the first one potentially dangerous?

 

[securespark]

YES!!

 

[vibrobullit407]

Neither comply and the second one is potentially dangerous.

Is the first one potentially dangerous?

I would have to say that it is. Tape and connectors is not a suitable enclosure for the live parts. I would say that the second one is more of an immediate danger as the fault has simply been left.

 

[RMS]

I would have to say that it is. Tape and connectors is not a suitable enclosure for the live parts.

Who said anything about tape?

 

[vibrobullit407]

Who said anything about tape?

Jumping to conclusions as when I have seen this done the connector blocks have always been taped up. If these have not been then that makes it even worse. Who would think that leaving exposed live parts is acceptable as a temp repair. Crazy!

 

[Starspark1]

Who said anything about tape?

Jumping to conclusions as when I have seen this done the connector blocks have always been taped up. If these have not been then that makes it even worse. Who would think that leaving exposed live parts is acceptable as a temp repair. Crazy!

As a temporary repair?

Are you insinuating this would be acceptable as a permanent repair???

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Both installations are domestic accommodation rented out to tenants.

Are they rented out to tenants now, with choc-block on cable dangling from the ceiling?

Why is it there? i.e. what "temporary" activity is taking place that requires that instead of a light fitting?

Or are there no tenants in right now, but decorators are in and are painting the ceiling?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Hence, one has to decide between blind adherence to the regs and, where appropriate, common sense - and the latter will depend an awful lot on the actual situation and, to some extent, how long 'temporary' is.

Hence my questions.

I have certainly lived happily with live cables terminated in connector blocks dangling from ceilings (out of reach, even of my 6'7" relatives!) for appreciable periods of time - and, provided it is above reach, and the occupants are sensible, I don't see that as an appreciable hazard.

If you were to be in my house while wall painting is taking place you'd find sockets and switches removed, choc used to maintain the circuit and make the lights work, and the choc-blocks pushed into the back boxes with a few layers of clingfilm to keep paint off.

For a few hours/overnight that ticks the common sense box for me.

But the only people I'm exposing to any risks are:

Me. I can look out for myself.

Wife and (if he's out of his pit) son - and my risk assessment says that they have enough smarts not to go poking inside back boxes at wires covered in painted clingfilm.


Landlord/tenant relationships are very different.

 

[JohnW2]

If you were to be in my house while wall painting is taking place you'd find sockets and switches removed, choc used to maintain the circuit and make the lights work, and the choc-blocks pushed into the back boxes with a few layers of clingfilm to keep paint off. For a few hours/overnight that ticks the common sense box for me. But the only people I'm exposing to any risks are: ....Me ...

Exactly - and the same here. Worse, since I'm lazy, there's been a connector block with terminated live cable (and not even any tape) hanging from a (high) ceiling for a few months - and I'm equally comfortable about that.

If Landlord/tenant relationships are very different.

Quite so. You will have seen my reaction when that was revealed!

Kind Regards, John.