Electrician cut off cable

gingerfox

It didn't burst into flames, was quite new and the fitter knew I was selling it on. I was in the house at the time, although not standing over them. Thanks for all your thoughts, I now know that there isn't a mandatory piece of legislation that requires the cable to be removed.

Any thoughts on the second query in my OP?
Thanks again.

newbie1980

im a electrician and i always cut this cable short it stops someone not competent installing it and also makes sure a new length of cable is fitted as you dont know if the old piece is damaged at all.

Ant555

gingerfox wrote: »

Also, I'm waiting for the builder to return to clear up a few snagging issues and want to hold some of the fee back till finished. What is a reasonable amount to withhold?

I guess it all depends on the value of the job and how much you still owe.

When I was in a similar position I took the view that if I never saw the builder again and I had to get someone else in to do the little jobs then it would probably have cost me around £250. That is what I held back although I was straight and completely upfront with him and he was fine.

If I can't get someone to finish off a job when there is money outstanding then I probably have ZERO chance of getting them to complete the job when there is no money outstanding.

Hope this helps

lstar337

gingerfox wrote: »

It didn't burst into flames, was quite new

That's not the point. It is a saftey issue. Yes, you know the history of your appliance, but other dumped appliances have an unknown history. This is why the cord is cut. It is to stop you averge joe from just picking something up and pluging it in.

gingerfox wrote: »

and the fitter knew I was selling it on.

Who cares anyway? Whoever buys your oven should be fitting a new cord anyway, they are only a few quid.

ValHaller

newbie1980 wrote: »

im a electrician and i always cut this cable short it stops someone not competent installing it and also makes sure a new length of cable is fitted as you dont know if the old piece is damaged at all.

With respect, that is not sensible.

• Cutting off the cable does not stop a non competent person reinstalling, it just allows them more scope to display their incompetence. So for every danger you argue you are avoiding, you are actually creating another danger.
• Unless it is your appliance to cut the cable off, you have no right whatsoever to do such a thing

Rockingit

ValHaller wrote: »

With respect, that is not sensible.

• Cutting off the cable does not stop a non competent person reinstalling, it just allows them more scope to display their incompetence. So for every danger you argue you are avoiding, you are actually creating another danger.
• Unless it is your appliance to cut the cable off, you have no right whatsoever to do such a thing

You're 1) making an assumption that the right size cable was installed to start with and 2) by forcing the buyer to take responsibility you are effectively safeguarding the seller from comeback. New cookers don't normally come shipped with a cable for this reason! In fact, most mid-size modern European cookers have manufacturers instructions to install using 5mm cable which you won't find on these shores!

ValHaller

Rockingit wrote: »

You're 1) making an assumption that the right size cable was installed to start with and 2) by forcing the buyer to take responsibility you are effectively safeguarding the seller from comeback. New cookers don't normally come shipped with a cable for this reason! In fact, most mid-size modern European cookers have manufacturers instructions to install using 5mm cable which you won't find on these shores!

I am not assuming anything. Unless the appliance belongs to the electrician, it is not his to cut the cable off.

If the electrician considers it unsafe, he should seek the permission of the owner to make the cut.

There are too many workmen assuming rights over customers' property. There has been a case on these forums where a gas fitter decided a cooker was unsafe - and capped off the mains pipe, removing the coupler, so that it was no longer possible to slot in a (safe) new cooker and connect a flexible coupler. Assuming rights over customers' property is unacceptable.

Rockingit

ValHaller wrote: »

I am not assuming anything. Unless the appliance belongs to the electrician, it is not his to cut the cable off.

If the electrician considers it unsafe, he should seek the permission of the owner to make the cut.

There are too many workmen assuming rights over customers' property. There has been a case on these forums where a gas fitter decided a cooker was unsafe - and capped off the mains pipe, removing the coupler, so that it was no longer possible to slot in a (safe) new cooker and connect a flexible coupler. Assuming rights over customers' property is unacceptable.

Whilst 'morally' I'm in complete agreement with you, sadly HSE gets in the way sometimes. I don't know about your gas safe reference, but as an electrical inspector I know that if I discover a situation that warrants it I have duties imposed on me by the Electricity at Work Regulations to do something about it. Doesn't happen very often, but it does happen.

ValHaller

Rockingit wrote: »

Whilst 'morally' I'm in complete agreement with you, sadly HSE gets in the way sometimes. I don't know about your gas safe reference, but as an electrical inspector I know that if I discover a situation that warrants it I have duties imposed on me by the Electricity at Work Regulations to do something about it. Doesn't happen very often, but it does happen.

If the appliance is disconnected - which is what we are talking about here, the matter is done and dusted. There is no H&S requirement to cut cables.

vaio

Rockingit wrote: »

Whilst 'morally' I'm in complete agreement with you, sadly HSE gets in the way sometimes. I don't know about your gas safe reference, but as an electrical inspector I know that if I discover a situation that warrants it I have duties imposed on me by the Electricity at Work Regulations to do something about it. Doesn't happen very often, but it does happen.

I doubt that EWR or any other bit of legislation give you the power to damage the property of another.

Happy to be corrected with specifics though