Incoming supply corroded

[nearthemark]

Hi,

This pic is of the supply to the distribution board. The outside is corroded like this in a couple of places under the floor. House is 1930s with suspended floor.

1. How much does this matter?
2. Who's responsibility is it?
3. If it's mine, how much am I looking at to fix it?

Many thanks.

 

[sxturbo]

needs to be replaced

 

[EFLImpudence]

That's that sorted.

 

[blup]

1. It matters because apart from anything else you probably have a TN-CS supply whereby the earth return is carried on the outer part of the cable, the part that appears to have perished.

2. The DNO is responsible for the cable up to the consumer's unit

3. Not applicable

Blup

 

[nearthemark]

1. It matters because part form anything else you probably have a TN-CS supply whereby the earth return is carried on the outer part of the cable, the part that appears to have perished.

2. The DNO is responsible for the cable up to the consumer's unit

3. Not applicable

Blup

Thank you - what does DNO stand for?

 

[nearthemark]

Ah, Distribution Network Operator!

 

[blup]

Yes, but the system I described is TN-S not TN-CS.

Blup

 

[nearthemark]

So I can contact UK Power Networks and they'll sort it at their cost?

Just need to decide now whether it's urgent enough to have contractors in my home given Covid.

 

[crystal ball]

I am sure they will be well equipped with PPE and will follow the rules

 

[RF Lighting]

Personally if it were my house I’d just leave it. It’s certainly not an urgent job even if your DNO decide it requires replacement.

 

[nearthemark]

Personally if it were my house I’d just leave it. It’s certainly not an urgent job even if your DNO decide it requires replacement.

Thank you - I'm working on insulating the floorboards just above this, so should I happen to touch the outside of this cable then it's the same effectively as touching the earth wire (or even a copper pipe that's connected to it)?

 

[RF Lighting]

Yes that’s correct. It’s just the steel mechanical protection which is rusting. The actual cable inside will be ok. As long as you don’t start jumping up and down on it or lobbing your hammer at it’ll be fine.

 

[sparkwright]

If it were I, I think I'd get it changed before the insulation and floorboards go down.

Cable may be 100 years old, and is clearly buggered.

Like so many underground supply cables.

One solution may be to run a 2-3 inch flexible duct under most of the floor, for future use - but it needs thinking about. If it's badly planned they may not be able to maneouvre their new cable properly to use it.

 

[sparkwright]

Maybe a picture of the where the cable terminates at the mains position would help to age this.

 

[nearthemark]

If it were I, I think I'd get it changed before the insulation and floorboards go down.

Cable may be 100 years old, and is clearly buggered.

Like so many underground supply cables.

One solution may be to run a 2-3 inch flexible duct under most of the floor - but it needs thinking about. If it's badly planned they may not be able to maneouvre their new cable properly to use it.

Thank you - unfortunately most of the insulation done, but it can come up again and at least we've not replaced the carpet and decorated yet!
Do you agree that UK Power Networks will meet the cost of doing the work?