Can see copper near fuse box?

[kjf]

Hi all,

I would like to pick your brains regarding what has happened here.

In the bottom right of this picture of our fusebox and electric meter, you can see a black plastic unit out of which comes a green/yellow wire and a blue wire. Where both connect to the black plastic I can see some copper.

Now, I'm not too keen on the copper innards of electrical wire being exposed. But who should I go to to sort this out?

• Do it myself?

• Pay an electrician?

• Get in touch with the electric company?

Thanks in advance[/list]

 

[Lectrician]

Thats how it is meant to be - It is the earth...which is connected to many other metalic parts in your home.....your metal fridge, metal cooker, copper gas pipe, copper water pipes etc.......If all is good, this earth terminal will be at the same potential as the ground you stand on.......cant insulate that can you

I would be more concerned that you check one of those earth wires actually goes into the consumer unit - it looks like it does, but behind the wood....

 

[kjf]

Fair enough, the earth is harmless, but what about the neutral wire?

 

[Lectrician]

Can't see an exposed neutral?

The blue cable is likely a discoloured earth.

Your neutral is the big black chunky boy.

 

[Steve]

In that unit, earth and neutral might actually be connected anyway, so they would be at the same potential. Any road, neutral is earthed at the substation to keep any voltage on it down.

 

[kjf]

Thanks for your responses

To clarify: I should feel completely comfortable with the idea of myself or someone else touching either the earth or neutral wire at this point?

 

[RF Lighting]

Yep.

 

[securespark]

As long as other bits of you are not attached to the live....

 

[JohnD]

I spy with my little eye a double-decker Memera 2000.

You don't see many of them around.