outdoor/ outside electrical cable wiring regulations

Mr_Vee

hi folks, the electrician has almost finished rewiring my house and we have a few hundred quid owing to him.

We have some cables running along the side of the house and he has fixed these outside wires to the brick wall using cable clips. Today, one of my neighbours pointed out to me that this was not legal and the wires should be encased? Im not sure if he is talking sense or not but im beginning to think that the wiring needs to be enclosed inside some sort of casing/ conduit?

Also, he keeps putting off producing the certification (part p cert?) for the work... im assuming that without the certificate the wiring is as good as worthless?

Please can someone who knows about electrics (ideally an electrician) advise...

Many thanks.

plumb1_2

If they are twin & earth they will need to be in a conduit, If they are armoured cable then they should be ok.

Mr_Vee

thanks... yeah. they are 3-core or whatever its called. i think thats the same as twin + earth. darn sparky!! going to have some words... :mad:

996ducati

Mr_Vee wrote:

hi folks, the electrician has almost finished rewiring my house and we have a few hundred quid owing to him.

We have some cables running along the side of the house and he has fixed these outside wires to the brick wall using cable clips. Today, one of my neighbours pointed out to me that this was not legal and the wires should be encased? Im not sure if he is talking sense or not but im beginning to think that the wiring needs to be enclosed inside some sort of casing/ conduit?

Also, he keeps putting off producing the certification (part p cert?) for the work... im assuming that without the certificate the wiring is as good as worthless?

Please can someone who knows about electrics (ideally an electrician) advise...

Many thanks.

They dont actually have to be run in a conduit. The IEE regulations recommend it (and it is good practice) but dont enforce it.

He may point out that they are protected by an RCD at the main fuseboard so are well protected.

Mr_Vee

ahh i c i c. i guess its all ok in that case. i was trying to find the actual IEE regs but its a maze trying to find the darn thing.

will def have to chase him up regarding that certificate tho!!

mercurystar999

I think you'll find its aginst regs. If i was doing a check on your house i would code it as a two, which means requires improvement. It is definately bad practice. He would be effectively breaking the law by not providing you with a certificate.

Coveredinbees!!!!

For a rewire you should get a Electrical installation certificate, a schedule of test results and a schedule of inspection. If he hasn't got part P the buildings control should have been informed before any work was done. As for the outside wiring the regs don't state that it should be in any sort of conduit I'll ask the blokes at college on tuesday - I'm doing an inspection and testing course.

I would ring the niceic or who ever he is supposed to be approved by and check he is, if he isn't ring the council quick!!!

niceic consumer help line 0870 013 0382

Mr_Vee

Coveredinbees!!!! wrote:

For a rewire you should get a Electrical installation certificate, a schedule of test results and a schedule of inspection. If he hasn't got part P the buildings control should have been informed before any work was done. As for the outside wiring the regs don't state that it should be in any sort of conduit I'll ask the blokes at college on tuesday - I'm doing an inspection and testing course.

I would ring the niceic or who ever he is supposed to be approved by and check he is, if he isn't ring the council quick!!!

niceic consumer help line 0870 013 0382

thanks mercury and coveredinbees! much appreciated... :T

i await your post after tues night then coveredinbees...

Coveredinbees!!!!

Having nothing else to do I was just sitting in the garden reading up on Part P of building regs and found this for you.

5.7 Garden Lighting and power

5.7.2 Fixed cables

PVC cables must be protected against direct exposure to sunlight. Cables must be perminanently fixed in a protected location or mechanically protected or buried.

Later on in the same chapter it states -

Cables need to be shielded against prolonger exposure to direct sunlight, particularly grey and white PVC cables. Cables with a black or rubber sheath are recommended if direct exposure cannot be avioded. Ultraviolet light from the sun will degrad pvc unless shielded will need replacing after 15 years. Black pvc and rubber cables have a resonable life outdoors.


So there you hve it, I think you installer may be from the wild west.