Electricity meter exposed cable

ricky81 · 20 Jul 2020

Hello,

I’ve just moved into a new house (not new build!) and I went to read the meters. Underneath the meter I can see some exposed cable (you can see on the photo). I’m guessing this is pretty dangerous. My question...is there someone who comes out to fix problems with meters Like the electric companies or do I need a sparky to fix this?

As I can’t isolate it I don’t want to go near it even to put insulation tape over it.

Thank you,

Rich

Guitarguy · 20 Jul 2020

This isn’t really dangerous as such, the exposed copper you can see is the neutral/earth conductor, the cutout hasn’t been made off very well and has been like that since it was installed.
It does want sorting though as Meter readers/installers won’t like it. I’d call your DNO to get them to make good

bernardgreen · 20 Jul 2020

Notify the DNO ( District Network Operator ) for your area https://www.energynetworks.org/info/faqs/who-is-my-network-operator.html

ricky81 · 20 Jul 2020

Thank you for your replies I’ll look them up now. I’m in Yorkshire so looks like it is Northern Powergrid.

chivers67 · 20 Jul 2020

It could be potentially dangerous as the cable might not be supported correctly but looks like that the installer should have put more sleeving or heat shrinked it far better.

ricky81 · 20 Jul 2020

Very good service. They’ve been out already and fixed it. Put tape round it. They told me that it was a poor design - they don’t do them like these any more.
He also used some kind of pen device that clicked away on the other wire but I didn’t hear a think on the wire he fixed. Said all the metal in the house was wired to that one.
I’ve just ordered a new latch to fix the cupboard now.

thanks again for all your help.

sparkwright · 20 Jul 2020

Tape seems a bit naff.

Considering only they can work on it, you'd think they would do a better job.

Tape indeed.

Can you send a photo please?

ricky81 · 21 Jul 2020

There you go a bit of tape and he also added a new seal I think.

OwainDIYer · 21 Jul 2020

Is that self-amalgamating or a special adhesive rubber tape?

SUNRAY · 21 Jul 2020

OwainDIYer said:
Is that self-amalgamating or a special adhesive rubber tape?

It's hard to tell from a pic but I think it looks more like mastic tape which handle more like Denso and slowly firms up.

Screech20 · 21 Jul 2020

Wtf! I’d get pulled into the office if I done that!
He done that without even pulling it out, didn’t he? Just to save him doing a polarity check no doubt!

sparkwright · 21 Jul 2020

I think I'd be back on the phone, explaining that an engineer has carried out a temporary repair, and asking when you can expect the actual repair to be done.

Guitarguy · 21 Jul 2020

The cutout needs taking off and remaking, the neutral conductor needs trimming back 10mm or so so that the black trouser shoves up into the hole properly. Tape is just a bodge. Would of only taken 10 minutes

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Electricity meter exposed cable

ricky81

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bernardgreen

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ricky81

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