Old electrics & EICR

[Deleted User]

The kitchen extractor fan was wired into this.  I believe it dates from 1999.

Can a new one be wired into it too? There was a plastic lid that's fallen off.   I was planning on connecting the new extractor fan to it myself.

Or will this old cabling need ripping out and replacing from the wall/all the way to the consumer unit two floors down?  If so it's awkward as it comes up from an alcove void that's behind the kitchen units that should be staying in place.

Also is it risky having it exposed like this, a metre above a metal lamp and the hob and microwave?  Electricity can jump I think? But not if it's earthed?

Thanks!

KeithP

Get a new junction box. The lid of that one has been broken off.
Maybe this one... 
www.screwfix.com/p/5a-4-terminal-junction-box-white/8906d

That wiring can remain but the bare earth wire should be sleeved.

Carrot007

Why would it need changing?

Looks weird there but also zoomed in do no context.

Could do with a sleeve on the earth though.

Think it was around 2006 they told you to stop using red/black. Would still use it if I had any. Not sure what colours I used for the loft lighting 6 years ago. Of more concern would be using the wrong colurs anyway!

It either a bodge or not, the colours matter little. And without a full picture.....

Belenus

Poster_586329 said:

Sorry, I should have looked properly before posting!

Actually it comes out of an On/Off switch on the kitchen worktop.

So it's easy to make safe anyway.

Thanks for your advice!

Don't rely on that switch as someone could have reversed live and neutral.  *

Turn the switch to off and then check that junction box for live electricity before touching anything.

* Even so called professionals make that mistake as I found out when I got a shock from our house wiring. The Electricity Board had wired the meter tails (from meter to consumer unit) the wrong way so all the live circuits were connected to neutral and all the neutrals were live. I was thrown a few feet backwards from the shock but I was luckily unharmed.

olgadapolga

Poster_586329 said:

There are also a couple of these which plugged into lights on the underside of the kitchen cabinets I've taken down.   Can I just chop the ends off, wrap in black electrical tape or nuts, and push back into the void?   

DH is an electrician and says that he wouldn't do what you're proposing. He says that leaving live wires in a "void" isn't good practice as if you, or someone else drilled into the wall in front of the void and then into the wire, it wouldn't be a fun experience. He says that the wire should be traced back to the source and removed completely. He recommends contracting an electrician to do the job competently.

Heedtheadvice

Suggestions.

From what you ask and proposed (originally) I would recommend you do call in an electrician to ensure a quality job is done.

Simple changes of the exposed parts in many cases is within a competent DIYer but you need:

To ensure that elderly cable is still ok. It really is time that it is tested. It may well be fine but it's working life is reduced and new cable will last much longer. Better done now rather than have more upheaval in a few years (or so) time.

It is essential to add the correct sleeving to the earth wire.

The location of the terminal box is poor if it is above a hob. Microwave not an issue.

Electricity can jump.......but not how you are suggesting it is a mains supply at 230(ish) volts not lightening. The earth is not there to stop any jumping but to provide equipotential bonding and a path to 'Earth' if any exposed metalwork has a connection to live or neutral blowing safety fuses, circuit breakers or residual current devices (rcd). You do have one of the latter in your consumer unit, do you? If it is of the same vintage as the wiring you whole installation may be safe.....or it might not be.

A good opportunity to get it all tested - it should be, regularly, anyway- and updated to reduce risks.

Electricians and experts (like above posts too) could say a lot more but I'll stop here!!

Hope you get it sorted!

twopenny

Anyone know how this might affect house insurance?

Should there be a fire of any sort and they find there's been a diy job would they say no liability?

These are  core wires with a bare earth.

Then add pushing live wires even if covered into a void.

Doesn't sound great. Might work and could give much worse problems.

Either just get a new cover and leave well alone on the theory 'if it's not broke don't fix it or get it done proper before you do any more improvements that may have to be redone.

Heedtheadvice

I don't see an RCD on your electrics (unless it is the one far left?).

Tennanted property. Glad to hear your landlord pays but more than that there are landlord responsibilities and duties that are required by law. You should not be touching i.e  doing work on anything that is the landlords responsibility!! You do not say where you live (there are differences in uk countries) but do read https://www.gov.uk/renting-out-a-property and the links.

Where something is the landlords responsibility, such as certain safety issue, if you interfere and something goes wrong you could be liable......as well as safety risks.

You did not mention you are a tennant in earlier posts. That makes a big difference. Just get your landlord to call in the professionals.

knightstyle

Just hang on a minute.  That looks like an old 3 phase supply, you really do need to get a electrician to have a good look.
Plus there do not seem to be any RCDs, just old MCBs.  MCBs protect against overcurrent, fires etc.  RCDs are essential to give protection against fatal electric shock.

Ectophile

If you're in London, then the new The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/312/contents/made applies.  By now, all rented properties should have had an electrical safety inspection, and should have been updated at least to the 2018 electrical standards.

Failing to carry out the inspection is a criminal offence.  Failing to fix any faults identified by the inspection is also an offence.

Your local council are responsible for enforcing those regulations.

fenwick458

Poster_586329 said:

Before calling up the electrician I'd just like to find out, if possible, if the property is likely to need to be totally rewired - cabling ripped out of walls and loft and then redecoration needed. Maybe kitchens needing to be ripped out and replaced too.  Because that would be problematic for all of us if so.  An electrician just replacing the consumer units and  fixing the kitchen on a Saturday, though, would be no problem at all.

doubtful. 80% chance it's a simple consumer unit upgrade job that can be done in a day.
20% chance theres some faults that need rectified, total ball park figure here, 1/2 day to 2 days extra (complete guess)