On Tue, 08 Feb 2005 22:14:58 +0000, Pedge wrote:

Thanks for all your responses. I'm astounded to say the least. My property
is a 1930's council block with surface wiring throughout. The wiring
itself is loose - loose being strands of 2.5mm black + red + yellow/green
cables running through surface conduit. Nothing in white sheathing.

More of an "industrial" style of installation. Nothing wrong with that
in itself.


What I have is a black and red cable running from the socket to the
fusebox and then the earth cable on its own connecting to the copper
pipe (bonding). This is a radial circuit and not ring.

Ah. Metal conduit by any chance? It's not impossible that the earth could
have been provisioned via the conduit, in which case you *might* be OK,
*provided* the stuff is still good.

That electrical test mentioned would measure that.

These days, metal conduit is usually the heavy thick wall stuff, with
threaded screw joints to ensure solid connectivity.

The other (old) thin-wall push-fit stuff is difficult to maintain an earth
on (let alone through). I don't think trying to reuse thin wall conduit
would be permissable (never get a consistent earth on it), thick wall
might be useable but shouldn't be rusty (damage cables) and needs to able
to maintain a good earth for it's own benefit.


I am strongly thinking of rewiring this keeping it radial and run an earth
back to the fusebox.

I own the property so getting the local authority contractors back to
rectify it would be difficult.

As an unqualified DIYer myself, I would recommend a few things (mostly
being cautious):

1) Contract out what you don't feel 100% confident with - it's no great
shame.

2) With what's left, I strongly recommend these books:

http://tinyurl.com/6mgmb
IEE Wiring regs (latest, brown cover, don't be cheap and buy an out of
date one off ebay)

http://tinyurl.com/6tqd3
Electricians Guide to IEE Regs by John Whitfield

The latter is excellent - examples of typical circuits, calculations etc.
Well worth it.

If you rewire, put 200 quid or so aside up front and promise yourself that
you will have an inspection done when you finish. If you followed Part P
then you're going to be inspected anyway. Installation inspections are
quite fussy (but no more than they should be) so it's something to aspire
to, to have one's work passed without comment.

Cheers

Tim