Survey results - exposed wiring

ThisIsWeird

atlasmm said:

Hi, the attached wiring on our boiler was picked up as a serious fault on our home buyer survey. 

Is this an immediate safety concern that needs rectifying (and if so, what is the actual issue? I assume it’s because it’s exposed wiring?)

Thanks

A 'serious fault'... Lawdie.
Well, yes, it technically is, for the reasons said by others. But just so easy to sort.
(It might not even be a hazard, as it could be low voltage, and connects to an external room 'stat with 'volt free' contacts (which does have a 'voltage', but could be just 5V). There's what looks like a removed wire link sitting below it.)
Obviously we don't know whether it's mains or elv, so of course we don't go prodding it...
Since it's dangling, it should have a junction box with cable restraints. It would need to have a 4-way connector since there's two additional wires that'll need parking.
Can you wire a plug? If yes, then you can sort this.
Power off, of course - that's at the provided isolator for the boiler.
The junction box linked to by Tacpot might do the job, but it depends on the type of 'screwless' connector it has, since some aren't suitable for stranded wires like these, so check first. Although ideally mounted, it ain't essential if it has cable restraints. (Unless someone's going to tell me that every in-line switch and connector needs screwing to a wall or floor.)

macman

My main concern would be what other horrible bodges have been done by whoever wired that. It's just sheer laziness not to put it into a proper JB.

ThisIsWeird

macman said:

My main concern would be what other horrible bodges have been done by whoever wired that. It's just sheer laziness not to put it into a proper JB.

I wonder if that connector is actually part of the boiler, and has come loose?
Whatever, it is very lax as you say. 

FreeBear

 ThisIsWeird said:(It might not even be a hazard, as it could be low voltage, and connects to an external room 'stat with 'volt free' contacts (which does have a 'voltage', but could be just 5V).

That was my thought. If it is a volt free or OpenTherm connection to a thermostat, then there shouldn't be any hazardous voltages present. But that would require the use of a multimeter (not one of those neon screwdrivers) to check. Something like this -> https://www.screwfix.com/p/debox-24a-in-line-junction-box-50-x-102-x-28-5mm-white/8692h (other sizes available) would make the connection safer.

ThisIsWeird

Make and model of boiler, Atlas?

Lorian

Is the boiler in a garage?

It's just possible the condensate is discharging to a washing machine flexi hose...?

ThisIsWeird

Atlas, I presume you have either had a recent boiler service, or will be asked for this as part of the conveyancing? If you have yet to have this carried out, your GasSafe should hopefully be able to sort that issue.
Have you had new heating controls at some point? Did that connector appear then? If so, it's for that installer to sort.
But, straightforward in any event.

ProDave

C1 or C2 is subjective.  For me it would be C2 because if the choc block is not damaged a bare finger could not touch live parts.  Either way it would make an EICR unsatisfactory but is a very simple fault to fix.  So again to the OP don;t let it put you off, if that is the only fault just pay an electrician an hours labour to fix it.

Just for fun, why do we not code BC and ES lamp holders as C1?  Unscrew the lamp and you can put your pinkie on live parts without tools.  That meets all the criteria of a C1.  I have been saying for years that stupid design of lamp holder should have been scrapped years ago.