Safe to use power tools in garage?

[Adam_151]

Can we have a closeup of the text on the ELCB please, also a shot looking at a downwards angle onto it (the slot in the top could be an issue). Also any consumer unit you have in the garage.

Is there an earth rod you can see outside?

 

[Abby6006]

Can we have a closeup of the text on the ELCB please, also a shot looking at a downwards angle onto it (the slot in the top could be an issue). Also any consumer unit you have in the garage.

Is there an earth rod you can see outside?

Closeup of ELCB text:

Looking down on ELCB: (looks like whoever just cut a hole in the top!)

Garage CU (its high up, best I could do) - new cable from top is for lighting, cable going down is for double socket, that's it apart from the incoming black cable:

Feel like I've opened a can of worms now Earth Rod - nope sorry, not even sure I'd recognise one to be honest.

 

[chivers67]

I can't be certain but the black cable looks like it could be Vulcanized Rubber (VR) but it exits the board via what looks to be a plastic stuffing gland? If it is V.R. it needs to be replaced as it could deteriorate and become dangerous but hopefully i'm wrong and is some kind of Hi Tuff cable or even stranded? It looks too thin to be armoured unless it's 2.5 mm (but looks too small to be that too) which would mean it might be on a fuse too high to protect it.

I think you should get an electrician in to give it a look over. The board cover needs taking off and looking at. Was that shower added before or after you moved in? Is there just one MCB inside the Hager unit served via an RCD can you lift the flap and take a pic - we love seeing pictures on here.

I'm a bit concerned about the Cut out (100A Breaker) with that bare terminal block and not completely sure where your earth feeding that board is coming from?

But it's apparent that cables must enter the consumer unit from behind

 

[JohnW2]

Ensure your lighting does NOT produce a stroboscopic effect when illuminating a rotating circular saw. This can make the saw appear to be stationary or just slow moving when it is rotating at speed.

'We' are always giving that advice and, although it is technically correct and appropriate, it seems to be based on the assumption that (unless they are deaf) some people must have power tools which are far quieter than any I've ever come across!

Kind Regards, John

 

[Abby6006]

but hopefully i'm wrong and is some kind of Hi Tuff cable or even stranded

It's original to the house, so 56 years old, not sure what the practices were then but based on the rest of the house it was the cheapest/easiest solution they could pass!

Was that shower added before or after you moved in? Is there just one MCB inside the Hager unit served via an RCD can you lift the flap and take a pic - we love seeing pictures on here.

After I moved in, the house is nearly 60 years old, think I got the shower fitted 15 or so years ago!

I'm a bit concerned about the Cut out (100A Breaker) with that bare terminal block

That was fitted by the electricity company when they replaced the meter, maybe 5-7 years ago? They seemed happy enough with the rest of it, not that they inspected it necessarily. No idea where the earth is coming from.

Here is the Hager unit

I really hope it's all OK, I would have hoped either the electricity company or the two electricians who fitted the alarm & security light would have mentioned something when they visited!

 

[chivers67]

I'm looking at the standard of the two installations and can't say i'm surprised they didn't mention anything tbh.

Looks like both people were after making quick money.

The electricity company wouldn't necessarily have anything to say about your installation as such, whereabouts are you based.

 

[Abby6006]

whereabouts are you based.

Northern Ireland!

 

[chivers67]

This is what the Cut out should look like. Is there a cover possible dropped out in the area where it's installed?

I know you know the Hager unit is a shower but I'd expect any half decent electrician to label the 40A MCB "SHOWER" at the very least or the Front cover where your writing is.
The Security light cabling should really have clips on the left - at least one. Though it isn't disastrous as such

 

[Abby6006]

I've had a look but no cover to be found. I agree, I'm not an electrician but I've a fair understanding of how the pixies flow and at least enough to know I don't understand everything but my OCD would not install things in this manner.

Ideally I'd get it all replaced but it'll be at the bottom of the list until there is something wrong really.

 

[chivers67]

https://www.screwfix.com/p/british-general-13a-2-gang-rcd-switched-plug-socket-metal-clad/4714p

I'd fit one of these in your garage in the mean time, if not You can use one of those plug in RCDs as per SFX's post. Be safer than the ELCB.

You could get a free quote from most electricians and see their recommendations

 

[Risteard]

You should give serious consideration to getting a periodic inspection of the electrical installation carried out.

 

[JohnW2]

I'd fit one of these [an RCD socket] in your garage in the mean time, if not You can use one of those plug in RCDs as per SFX's post. Be safer than the ELCB.

As a matter of interest, I wonder why you and SFX are suggesting that - just because of the age of the existing residual current device? (although it looks as if they have probably 'paralleled' the three L paths through the device, they needn't have done, but that won't have made any difference to functionality)

Kind Regards, John

 

[ericmark]

Unless you do some thing daft, it does not LOOK too bad. However without using a meter you don't really know if there is an earth and if the RCD will trip, so does seem a good idea to test it, so you know it works.

There is nothing dangerous about using a fuse instead of a MCB or having one RCD for all, however I would expect it is likely to trip, and with my own house I up graded the protection within 6 months of moving in.

As to if you buy a tester like this

or get an electrician is up to you, however the problem arises if the tester shows a fault, what will you do? Likely get an electrician, so maybe better to get an electrician to start with. Martindale also do one

but looking at around £40 to £100 for tester which may be better spent getting an electrician. Since we have no idea how the RCD is wired it really does want testing with some thing other than its own test button.

 

[Risteard]

Those "testers" don't tell you nearly enough to know whether the RCD is operating within the parameters laid down in the Standard or not.

Periodic inspection and testing is the answer.

 

[aptsys]

I'm a bit concerned about the Cut out (100A Breaker) with that bare terminal block and not completely sure where your earth feeding that board is coming from?d

There's nothing wrong with the cut-out in the OPs picture. That's exactly what that style should look like.