Is this considered normal

[richardrich79]

Untitled

• richardrich79
• 12 Oct 2013
• 1

Untitled

• richardrich79
• 12 Oct 2013
• 1

This is 'accessible' by lifting the boards on our 3rd floor loft conversion.
The house was student letting until we purchased earlier this year it has a current electrical safety certificate, next inspection due 2016.
All the cables are in use suppling the 2nd floor lights/switches and continuing on to the loft itself.
I'm just a bit shocked to find such an untidy mess, a couple of the junction boxes have over 2mts of cable connecting them scrunched up to fit under the floor where they sit sandwiched between polystyrene block insulation.
What's best, tidy it up/shorten unnecessary cable or redo the 2nd floor lights using ceiling rose instead of the junction boxes.
'Afraid to say it's got to be diy but shall be having a (different) sparks in to check everything out and do the main work.
You opinion is much valued

 

[riveralt]

What's best, tidy it up/shorten unnecessary cable or redo the 2nd floor lights using ceiling rose instead of the junction boxes.

I would do both if possible - though do leave a little slack for the people that come after you.
Just make sure you work out how each light and their respective switches are connected to each other and mark them - make diagrams and take photographs before you start work. And make sure you work on dead circuits only. Get rid of the polystyrene.
Have a full read of this as well before you start work:
http://www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:lighting

 

[flameport]

Complies with regulations and the proper way to do it - no.

Normal and could be found in thousands of properties - yes.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

sandwiched between polystyrene block insulation.

Any sign of damage to the cable insulation?

http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=134950

 

[richardrich79]

I haven't finished inspecting all of it yet but so far everything looks in good order, however having purchased a new reel of cable from Screwfix I've decided to renew almost all of the 2nd floor lighting along with the loft rooms.
I was wondering if I run the cable in flexible conduit will that serve the good of keeping the new cable away from the polystyrene. Incidentally I tried a bit of the polystyrene to see if it is flammable, it didn't catch fire just melted but I don't know about any fumes.
The loft rooms were modernised in the early 80s and large sections of 6" wide poly laid over the existing 2nd floor ceiling the a new floor installed with another set of 6" poly installed with the lighting circuit sandwiched between the 2. If I had any money I'd rip it all out and start again.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

It's a mess but will not be uncommon. Requires tidying up.
I would do as you have already suggested and loop lighting circuit joints in to either the ceiling roses or light switches.
If some of these connection are impracticable, you could fit new cable as you are also considering or use maintenance free joints, where they maybe consider inaccessible for maintenance and inspection and testing.
Creating a barrier between polystyrene and cable is an option, but I would get shut of it.
Although the next inspection date states 2016, there would have been limitation to the extent of the report and this area amongst others may have been part of the limitations as the joints are within a floor/ceiling void.
If the property is let, I would have recommended on the next inspection notice "or a change of occupancy".
If you are to install new cable, please make sure you test the circuit in accordance to BS7671 prior to commissioning and any new cables buried in walls or for socket outlets will likely require 30mA RCD protection.

 

[richardrich79]

The electrician who did the inspection is the same guy who did this set of wires, to save money no wires chased in all in plastic stick-on conduit. It's an old 1860s house and no wires have ever been chased in, most are still in position.
All cables have RCD protection and I envisioned a nice easy job simply chasing in and maybe changing the white fittings etc. It didn't bode well when the labels on the consumer unit for downstairs and upstairs lights were the wrong way around then I found a double socket on the 1st floor landing coming on a spur from the kitchen socket ring.
We're having building work done and the electrician who will fit out the 'new' bit is happy to check out the whole house for us so we know everything will be A1 in the end.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Providing the spurred socket is taken from the ring final and is not a spur off a spur. It would be okay and conform to BS7671.
It is not unusual to come across trunking routed cable in let properties, can't really knock the electrician with regards to that, as often this would be dictated by the money the landlord is willing to pay for any alterations and remedial work.
But they should be shamed on the mess they have left in the loft space and labelling up the board incorrectly (that's if they did?)