Is this acceptable work?

Hi Folks

Does anyone know what the regulation says regarding unsheathed core in an inaccessible area such as buried under plaster directly, behind plasterboard or inside a boxed-up void/conduit?

My spark has extended the current kitchen ring and change its use for induction hob. The cable was from 60s/70s (tested still works fine) and it's unsheathed with red and black core inside a PVC conduit inside plastered wall. Due to change of kitchen layout, he has now taken those unsheathed cores to be behind a boxed-up void and extend it with new 6mm cable without any mechanical protection.

I am also unsure with the way he extended the cable, I thought the joint would be fixed on a wall inside a junction box even though it'll never see a daylight, instead it's been connected as you can see in the photo and taped up to be left in the boxed up void. (I untaped it to see how he's's done it.) His apprentices did the works and I just realised I don't remember him coming back to check if things are ok.








I have googled the regulation and all I can find is that it'll be a C3 in EICR report for finding a unsheathed cable in inaccessible area. C3 sounds like a minor issue but does that mean it's OK to have it done like this initially?

I am not expert, but I would not be happy with that. Looks like a DIY job. Also, looks like it is going horizontally, once covered up how will Mrs DIY with a drill remember where the electric cables are running?

No that is not acceptable and not compliant, get him back to rectify properly!

Thanks guys, good to know it wasn't me being picky. Should I expect the unsheathed cable put back in conduit like before or have the cable replaced? It's a 6mm cable for induction hob, should I also expect to see junction box instead of a taped up connection?

Yes it should be in some form of conduit, terminated into a box from which the new Twin and Earth can be extended, the new cable can then be clipped direct.

Not sure I'd fancy having him back: he's not a spark! Have you paid him anything?

He is obviously not qualified to do the work, get a qualified person in to do the job properly. Hope you haven't paid him for doing the work?

I paid 50% already for first fix, I am having doubt having him back because this is not the first time I have issues with their works. I called his regulation body and they said even if I make a complaint they will ask him to come back to rectify it so I am now have to check all the works done myself with the help of a handyman friend and google. It's not easy getting another spark for just second fix.

VickyBH said:

I called his regulation body and they said even if I make a complaint they will ask him to come back to rectify it

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I'm afraid that is their way of doing nothing.

People naturally, like you, do not want the same person back.

That has to be a temporary join like that, it's not even a good DIY job! If it's being boxed up it needs to be maintenance free and this is not close to that. If this was me I would use the existing as a draw and run a feed without joins, how far is the run from your consumer unit?