Water meets leccy...

[JohnW2]

Dont know if im being silly but is it against any regs of some sort for using a pattress box as an extension lead? dont they need cord grips?

Yes, probably, for the reason you give (and possible others) - but, if it's 'plugged in' I'm not sure which regs (I'm sure others will know!) - BS7671 only relates to 'fixed wiring'.

It's certainly not good practice if the socket/box are 'lose' and the cable not secured or clamped in any way. However, nor is it uncommon

Kind Regards, John

 

[amfisted]

If it isn't already, then shoving a pattress box under a sink unit, plugging a washine machine into it then placing a drain hose with a leaking joint across the live socket outlet flipping well SHOULD be against the rules.

Landlord is coming round with a builder today to talk to my son about addressing the outstanding issues. Things MIGHT be looking a bit more optimistic.

 

[dhutch]

Dont know if im being silly but is it against any regs of some sort for using a pattress box as an extension lead? dont they need cord grips?

You can get pattress boxes with cordgrips.

http://cdn.toolstation.com/images/130125-UK/images/library/stock/webbig/61551.jpg

Daniel

 

[nicolacraig]

So you can. Still don't think I would like to use one as an extension lead bit too brittle. I suppose it's a case of have a look in the back of the van and knock an extension lead up out of what you can find?

 

[JohnW2]

If it isn't already, then shoving a pattress box under a sink unit, plugging a washine machine into it then placing a drain hose with a leaking joint across the live socket outlet flipping well SHOULD be against the rules.

I don't think many people would suggest thatthe arrangement you've described is satisfactory. If that trailing box/socket is 'wired in' (rather than 'plugged in' {to a socket}), then it already is non-compliant with the Wiring Regulations (BS7671). It's if it is 'plugged in' that it is less clear which regulations apply, although (as I said) it's probably non-compliant with some regulations/Standards.[/quote]

Kind Regards, John

 

[dhutch]

So you can. Still don't think I would like to use one as an extension lead bit too brittle. I suppose it's a case of have a look in the back of the van and knock an extension lead up out of what you can find?

I proberbly is, although if theres a load of the same house, you would have thought they could do better.
- Some are less brittle than others, but again, you cant tell without hitting it against something!

 

[dhutch]

If that trailing box/socket is 'wired in' (rather than 'plugged in' {to a socket}), then it already is non-compliant with the Wiring Regulations (BS7671). It's if it is 'plugged in' that it is less clear which regulations apply, although (as I said) it's probably non-compliant with some regulations/Standards.

Although if its screwed down....

I was very supprised to see a FCU screwed to the floor under a tank going to the imersion heater in a barret homes box, but have since seen said done in several new houses.

Daniel

 

[JohnW2]

If that trailing box/socket is 'wired in' (rather than 'plugged in' {to a socket}), then it already is non-compliant with the Wiring Regulations (BS7671). It's if it is 'plugged in' that it is less clear which regulations apply, although (as I said) it's probably non-compliant with some regulations/Standards.

Although if its screwed down....

Yes, IF it were screwed to the floor, and IF the cable supplying it was also secured to the floor, then it could be compliant - but I frankly doubt that either box or cable are fixed to that (seemingly concrete) floor. I may,of course, be wrong.

Kind Regards, John

 

[dhutch]

Im play devils advocate a little, but in a way its a good thing the join was directly above the socket and drew attention to itself, else it could have gone unnoticed dumping a pint of water on the floor every wash and cause far more lasting harm.

Although its still very odd that in a new build the fault took out the whole house.

Least not because when I suffered a burst tap flexy under my kitchen sink, wetting through the washing machine socket, as soon as the jet of water was removed the rcd would hold fine even with a still very damp socket.



Daniel

 

[plugwash]

Afaict wastewater is far more conductive than freshwater.

 

[JohnW2]

Afaict wastewater is far more conductive than freshwater.

One would certainly expect that.

Kind Regards, John

 

[dhutch]

Afaict wastewater is far more conductive than freshwater.

True, but assuming it has a 17th, or even splitload cu, still doesn't explain why the house was evacuated for a damp extension lead. Anyway, why could it not just be unplugged?


Daniel