What's this wire in the meter box?

Chet T16

Just out of curiosity, what's the wire leading out of the main input fuse?

tomdempsey200

neutralizing link

or 'main protective conductor'

.G.

The grey one at the bottom coming from the orange tube is the main incoming supply from the ESB.The ones to the right are the outgoing supply from the meter to your fuseboard. The small grey one is the earth and should have been wrapped in green/yellow earth tape rather than grey. Not a big deal though.

tomdempsey200

no REC seal either

service cable and tails entering cabinet in wrong place

Chet T16

superg wrote: »

The grey one at the bottom coming from the orange tube is the main incoming supply from the ESB.The ones to the right are the outgoing supply from the meter to your fuseboard. The small grey one is the earth and should have been wrapped in green/yellow earth tape rather than grey. Not a big deal though.

It was the small grey one i was talking about. Earth tape would have made it obvious to me.

tomdempsey200 wrote: »

no REC seal either

service cable and tails entering cabinet in wrong place

Are these important issues?

Sir Arthur Daley

The work that was done on that meter cabinet is wreckless and incorrect.

tomdempsey200

Chet T16 wrote: »

It was the small grey one i was talking about. Earth tape would have made it obvious to me.



Are these important issues?

nope

none of the 3 issues would be major

the grey tape is sloppy and wouldn't inspire confidence in the rest of the work.
on the other hand everything may be fine

Chet T16

Would it have been the electrician that wired the house thats responsible for the meter box or is it the ESB that has to install the meter and the electrician takes it from there? I'm assuming the former?

We're in the process of buying this place so obviously want to make sure everything is ok. I do have some other queries which i'll post in a seperate thread.

.G.

The builder or electrician would install the meter box. The ESB then come along and install the meter and supply the house. The ESB have specific rules regarding cable entry which are supposed to be followed.They weren't in this case but the esb still installed the meter and connected the supply so if they don't have an issue with it you shouldn't either. If you are only buying this place maybe it would be worth having the electrical installation inspected if you want peace of mind. Some of the building done in the boom left a lot to be desired in terms of quality,this applies to electrics too.

2011

Sir Arthur Daley wrote: »

The work that was done on that meter cabinet is wreckless and incorrect.

You will give the OP nightmares

I agree that what is shown is incorrect and perhaps a bit sloppy.
But "reckless" suggests that it is something dangerous.
I don't see anything dangerous in the picture.

tomdempsey200

the installation probably pre-dates
the 4th edition 'main ocpd'(63amp mcb)

unless it was recently upgraded and should have been fitted in that case

Sir Arthur Daley

2011 wrote: »

I don't see anything dangerous in the picture.

Having the tails not in flexible ducting is dangerous due to certain types of cavity insulation that attack the pvc cable.
The esbn should have refused to install a meter in that cabinet, its work like this that really irates me.

cast_iron

Sir Arthur Daley wrote: »

Having the tails not in flexible ducting is dangerous due to certain types of cavity insulation that attack the pvc cable.
The esbn should have refused to install a meter in that cabinet, its work like this that really irates me.

There is no evidence in the picture that the cable in the cavity is either not sleeved in conduit or that the insulation in the cavity (if there is any) will cause a problem if it is not.

There's evidence of a bit of sloppiness, but no danger shown in the picture.
Indeed, if it's a bit sloppy in the meter box, it may well be in other areas of the job too. We don't know that though. As advised, best thing to get it checked by someone that can answer these questions (a REC).

Chet, is there a wiring completion cert for the house? If not, it will probably be required for the sale to go through. I would be requesting one before I agreed on the purchase either way.

Edit: Bet you to it, 2011

2011

Sir Arthur Daley wrote: »

Having the tails not in flexible ducting is dangerous due to certain types of cavity insulation that attack the pvc cable

Pure speculation.

How can you tell from the photo:
1) What type of insulation is used?
2) If the tails are in contact with insulation?
3) If the tails are protected by some sort of conduit that stops behind the meter cabinet board?
4) If there even is any insulation?

We simply don't know enough about this installation to be able to make any descent assessment on how dangerous it is.

Sir Arthur Daley

2011 wrote: »

We simply don't know enough about this installation to be able to make any descent assessment on how dangerous it is.

I have to say i cannot answer any of your 4 questions, have to agree that it is speculation but was worth raising the issue as cable deterioration is a serious issue and especially when people pump cavities.
You have raised other non electrical issues on how well or how bad the house may be insulated.

tomdempsey200

the flexible conduit should be brought into the box

that's the way it should be done anyhow

Chet T16

If it will give you something to argue about the house is 9" blocks internally drylined

I've no idea where it goes once it enters the house as the distribution box is on the opposite side of the kitchen to the wall the meter is in

Sir Arthur Daley

Chet T16 wrote: »

If it will give you something to argue about the house is 9" blocks internally drylined

Cavity wall blocks so it?

Chet T16

Sir Arthur Daley wrote: »

Cavity wall blocks so it?

Yep. Although the box seems recessed more than the width of the wall so no idea how that works

tomdempsey200

Sir Arthur Daley wrote: »

Cavity wall blocks so it?

hopefully not up the interior drylined wall

Sir Arthur Daley

The esb meter has 2004 on it, have you made a mistake op and maybe the 9 inches is the block height not width, its prob a standard 4 inch block, timber frame house maybe with outer block wall.

Chet T16

The house was built sometime around 01/02. I'm not sure why the meter is newer, it was pointed out in the survey we had done.

They're definitely cavity blocks, dry lined and there seems to be some sort of insulation behind the plasterboard.

Sir Arthur Daley

A cavity block wall house built in 01/02 i would question that, i wouldnt build a house for my pet dog with cavity blocks.

Chet T16

Sir Arthur Daley wrote: »

A cavity block wall house built in 01/02 i would question that, i wouldnt build a house for my pet dog with cavity blocks.

As insistent as I was the vendor refused to replace them with cavity walls.