EICR | Inspecting old installations | Part 1 (32)

This week I'm inspecting an old installation with various not really surprising results! With Brexit finally happening It looks like the last time we weren't in the EU was when this property was rewired!?
In this (Part 1) video I'm inspecting and sampling accessories throughout the property and looking for any visual issues like, signs of burning, exposed conductors, missing labels, damaged sockets and switches, correct cable size and loose connections.
THIS VIDEO IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT TO BE TAKEN AS ANY KIND OF TRAINING OR EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATION. AT ALL TIMES I AM IN FULL CONTROL OF THE INSTALLATION AND THERE IS NEVER ANY RISK TO PERSONS OR EQUIPMENT. ELECTRICITY SHOULD BE GIVEN THE FULL RESPECT IT DESERVES.

[@djevil247]

“Could do with Cillit bang, or just banging in general”, love that!!!

[@Ashworth-Media]

The age of some electrical installations does sometimes amaze me, but the one that amazes me is what happened at out local church. The current vicar called round and spoke to my dad as some of the older parishioners thought he maybe able to answer the questions about the age of the church's electrical wiring. My dad confirmed that he did rewire the whole of the church back in 1955, but would come along and have a look at its current state. I went along with him and we took all of the front switch and socket plates off and yes they looked to be all to code for 1955 and had not been touched since for some 60 years. The result was that the church shut for a while whilst the wiring was fully replaced, the only plus point was that the conduit was still in great shape so the new cabling was pulled into place by using the old wiring. Another that amazed me was whilst a road was widened to a dual carriageway, the road contractors managed to damage a aluminum cable from the 1940's that was wrapped in bitumen and paper 10 times, the cost for the local electricity utility company to repair every time they broke the still in use cable exceeded the cost to replace the whole length of the cable under the road.

[@Ragnar8504]

I know plenty of houses that still have some pre-WWI wiring in service! Obviously all VIR but as long as it's fabric-covered it usually doesn't fail badly enough to blow up unless messed with. On Sunday I looked at a flat, thinking I might rent it. Ancient screw-fuses without an enclosure (probably never acceptable, at least not after WWII but still very common into the 1970s) with exposed VIR singles, no RCD and no earth anywhere to be seen. Probably tapped off the water pipe, if there's any earth at the sockets at all. Would've needed a full rewire but I passed anyway, seeing that it was on the top floor and the loft will very likely be converted soon, meaning a year of construction noise and living with no roof on the house. Austria's a bit less rainy than the UK but an architect still told me: "Oh well, flooding up to five times is perfectly normal during a loft conversion! That's what insurance is for!"

[@Ashworth-Media]

@@Ragnar8504 This church wiring had supposedly been checked many times over the in between years for insurance purposes, but I think this time that actually took the switch and socket face plates off although these did date from the 1950's.

[@johnclarke2997]

@@Ragnar8504 I once rewired a house which had a wood dis board. Must have been 1920s, complete with the old roundpin sockets. The pensioner who lived in the house only had a Radio, TV and some lights. So the circuits were never pushed.

[@0liver0verson9]

"No wonder they've got saloon doors, they've had plenty of cowboys in here" LOL

[@BenCos2018]

LOL

[@charlieecosta5592]

That really made me laugh!

[@g.t.36]

Got one in there with a pink hat lol

[@dlewis129]

Any point even testing this. ? No rcds on sockets tha can be used outside is a straight fail on eicr for a rental property isn’t it ??

[@ashmanelectricalservices4318]

@@dlewis129 The full EICR still needs to be carried out to establish any other issues so a report can be compiled and all works included in the remedial quote.

[@dennisreid4428]

Perfect example of all the student houses I've ever dealt with in Manchester and every Buy to Let property I've ever dealt with in Oldham, surprised the landlord wants an EICR. You can tell how old it is by the use of slotted screws on everything,70's at least...The cord grip is right in front of you,the little hook moulded into the back plate,worked for Delta/Mem back in the 80's so I know quite a bit about light fittings,face plates etc

[@JBE]

I put a quote in to rewire the property back in January and never heard back!

[@maveric5381]

Probably fully ok with the regs at the time.

[@alexdougherty4905]

The house that grim built.

[@ninjaman1138]

hello j beck, i know this may seem a bit much but as a learner (currently taking my inspection and testing course) it would be very helpful to see more like this. if you could take a still of the thing you are inspecting and then mention everything. then, anyone who wants to learn this stuff could pause the video, make a list of what they think is wrong and then get the answer straight away after. just a thought. thanks

[@samuelfielder]

Thanks for your interesting videos. I just wanted to point out that the audio level in your videos is notably quieter than the average youtube video. I have to increase the volume level on my TV from 50 to 68 to listen to you.

[@ishkebab]

If it’s TNS then the main protective bonding conductors at 6mm2 are Unlikely to be undersized, the regulations require no less than half the size required of the earthing conductor and no less than 6mm

[@JBE]

The installation wants throwing in the bin along with its 6mm Bonding conductors.

[@ishkebab]

J Beck Electrical yep it’s not the best, but the conductors from a coding prospective of bs7671 point of view are not undersized

[@westinthewest]

It's also worth checking to see if the services enter the building through non-metallic pipes, in which case you don't need any bonding at all.

[@loosecannon5813]

@@westinthewest metal gas or water pipes could have an earth potential if they pass through internal or external masonary walls, unless you are sure of the pipe route its best practice to bond the water and/or gas service. I've been to a few houses, where the 'electrician' didn't bother, after the owners complained of shocks of the kitchen sink!

[@westinthewest]

@@loosecannon5813 Is this mentioned in BS7671 or GN8? I was under the impression that metalwork could only introduce an earth potential if it was in contact with the ground outside. Does metalwork pick up earth potential from the fabric of the building?

[@donnierobertson3088]

Great job

[@Sparks0001]

So the cable for the solar PV is fused by the DNO fuse only - is that OK!?

[@westinthewest]

The DNO should redo their dodgy earthing conductor. BS 951 states that clamps to this standard are not intended for connection to the armour or sheath of a cable. I know how common they are, but what can we do, especially if they're loose? If we tighten them, we contribute to the damage on the lead sheath.

[@OkenWS]

Yeah, I've been told never to touch those under any circumstances. if you pierce the lead by being a gorilla and damage the live conductor, the damn thing will just start burning and it's not likely to stop until the sub trips.

[@JBE]

@@OkenWS This is true and it goes with quite a bang too! I've seen it at first hand!

[@RichardArblaster]

Love the new t-shirt.

[@asef698]

Closed the regs book like we just interrupted you Haha

[@farmerdave7965]

Appears to be a very old house that has been retrofitted with indoor plumbing and electricity.

[@stevenwalker3164]

My trusted electrician has grown some hair and a northern accent.

[@redkingwell4047]

Those switches definitely have corona

[@bjoe385]

I wouldn’t stay there even if there were 3 fire engines outside on permanent standby.

[@andypayne1571]

22.53 The brown 6mm that was "rammed" into the terminal looked like it was on the non fused side of the board.

[@ashmanelectricalservices4318]

I suspect they've cut a few strands to fit both 6mm's in.

[@JBE]

@@ashmanelectricalservices4318 They had the heroes they are!

[@JBE]

Correct!

[@andypayne1571]

@@JBE saves rewiring that pesky fuse when it goes.

[@AndyK.1]

Only a few feet until it went to an Mcb.

[@derricksmiles6624]

At 10.29 when you were in that light switch did the left most line conductor arc flash to the back box?

[@Tekwyzard]

It looks like it arcs, but it's actually just a bit of plaster that falls down; check it at .25 playback speed.

[@derricksmiles6624]

@@Tekwyzard forgot you can slow KZbin down

[@superiorbeing95]

Nice caulking job on the skirting boards lol

[@supersparks9466]

I wouldn’t go anywhere near that type of property , if you need the work then fair enough. Plenty of quality work out there to be getting involved with slum tenants and landlords.

[@stupossibleify]

Someone needs to, for the sake of the tenants.

[@_Steven_S]

7:00 who needs flatplate.... 😊

[@JayTheSparky]

Ah the life of an electrician...it really does take you to some lovely places 🤣🤦🏻‍♂️

[@SteS]

Electrical is the least of this properties worries.

[@richardcawrey]

Don’t envy changing that board I’ve a feeling won’t be any length on the cables

[@stupossibleify]

If there isn't, what would you do?

[@TheChipmunk2008]

Myself, a large metal adaptable box with maintenance free connectors for preference (wagos, or soldered connections). Then the board above.

[@alunroberts1439]

A old house I was at the house next door had drilled threw an added sockets to there own house. Had been there for years just how much did the old bird pay for them. Her son did visit them.

[@tech4pros1]

Of course they ran their electric heaters off those ones..

[@alunroberts1439]

@@tech4pros1 She was away in hospital when she was in her 60's it was found after she died she was always going on her bill was going up nasty people doing that. Am thinking now I wish I put over voltage on there feeds but a kid might of got hurt.

[@Ragnar8504]

@@alunroberts1439 That's the advantage of domestic 3-phase - a loose neutral can do wonders...

[@imark7777777]

Well that depends on what time zone I'm in, its 5 somewhere. Or more like 9:53pm

[@acelectricalsecurity]

looks like a typical rental property, spend as little as possible on the place, may as well replace all the accessories when its brought up to scratch

[@ghspaelectricalservices9296]

Wow you certainly get some good ones lol

[@ashmanelectricalservices4318]

Is that a Nebo inspection torch, I love mine, very tough solid construction, waterproof and super bright.

[@JBE]

Brilliant torches! I have about 12 torches for various reasons at various levels of battery power. Anything USB rechargeable is always good.

[@ashmanelectricalservices4318]

@@JBE Very handy size, lives in my trouser pocket with all my pens and makers.

[@edglue6138]

Looks like they painted it with a toffee apple

[@AndyK.1]

New colours solar PV feed in ?

[@calmeilles]

That's what it looked to be to me. If so the un-screwed live suggests a screwed up install.

[@johnbarrett7561]

How do you (or anyone else watching) price up EICRs? I do it per circuit but always seems to take way longer than planned!

[@loosecannon5813]

Try something like £80+£5 /circuit ..... Plus the difficulty factor..... Multiply by 1.2 if occupied.😃

[@johnbarrett7561]

@@loosecannon5813 good point about occupancy, I turned up to one job and there was a toddler party in the front room

[@iandamianluciferwilson7385]

I feel I needed to scrub my eyes with disinfectant after seeing that place. Slum landlords of Manchester.

[@jimbomak]

Full rewire?

[@DAVEHARSTON]

That house is grim mate I wouldt be paying to rent that lol

[@user-km8jz9tp3e]

It’s grim up north 🥴

[@andyburns]

Gas bonding on wrong side of meter?

[@HeathenGeek]

yeh, should be over a bit before the first branch

[@alunroberts1439]

I did not spot that the 1st eye well doe eagle eyes

[@Graham_Langley]

Correct side of the meter but wrong side of a joint - look at pipe across the top of the meter..

[@ashmanelectricalservices4318]

The metal back boxes become earthed when the front plates are fastened to the back box.

[@JBE]

🤣👍 Always like to see who's paying attention. I run a flying lead to the back box 100% of the time on every socket I've ever done ever! Most of the time 😜.

[@ashmanelectricalservices4318]

@@JBE I'm exactly the same but on an EICR, although it's not the way I would have done things, I couldn't flag a back box for not being fly lead where another provision exist.

[@JBE]

@@ashmanelectricalservices4318 Agree, merely a comment and an observation on what I'm inspecting. Although in this case it's the least of it's problems 😬.

[@ashmanelectricalservices4318]

@@JBE Tell me to mind my own business if you like, but does your clients give you an allowance whereby you can resolve small C1/C2 remedial issues on an EICR without bothering the client.

[@JBE]

@@ashmanelectricalservices4318 Mind your own business 😋. Yeah most of the time if it's something small like a blank missing from the board or a main bonding in the gas cupboard but not connected and all it needs is a clamp. Stuff like that I'll have on the van and use if needed. Same goes for a damaged socket or switch with exposed live parts. Instead of coding it and driving off, if replacing it is the difference between a satisfactory or Unsatisfactory then I'll just replace it.

[@AndyK.1]

Original electrician seamed ok

[@jamesknightreading]

Where's part 2?

[@muzikman2008]

Gross! 😣🤮 Some dirty pigs out there. Disinfectant and gloves everytime for me lol...

[@wizard3z868]

i just have to laugh and cringe how your consumer panels boards are almost always inside of little cubbies or over your heads difficult to get at where as in the states they have to be at chest lvl and easily accessible

[@Ragnar8504]

Round here the old ones are usually above the meter, i.e. around eye level or slightly higher. I definitely remember seeing some above my head (think 7 feet +) in old apartments in NYC though.

[@JBE]

Installations like this are very typical for the age and time it was installed. Homes in the 1970s often had 1 light and a single socket p/room. This was due to usage and necessity. People only really had a lamp, a radio and a TV in the whole house. With maybe some cooking appliances in the kitchen? This property is in a very poor state as you can see.

[@wizard3z868]

@@JBE yes my rental flat im in was wired in the 1960 one light some rooms no light one socket. no slack on polarized outlets (its like they wired it and than pulled all slack out the back of box and ran all junctions to the lights lol. never did understand how almost all j-boxes in older homes are in the lights. lol the good old New england states at least the panel was redone it was at least at chest eye level to accept a hot water tank but most are old silver fish and knob and tube circuits with just a few modern lines i ran.(other than new panel and hot water boiler) im like a 2nd year apprentice at best with my skill set

[@edglue6138]

P..s. full rip out

[@supergeekjay]

Full demolition and rebuild beforehand, probably easier! :)

[@leonblittle226]

Has to be said, what a complete shit hole of a place. The original wiring looks to be ok for the time it was fitted, but all the mods since then have been a total bodge by people who haven't got a clue what to do. That solar panel fiasco was a cowboy job for sure - get it fitted and get out. Never mind about the simple fact that board was not suitable for it. Box ticked, government grant PAID out. Same with the insulation mob about 10 years ago, half of them went to jail.

[@JBE]

Couldn't agree with you more mate! People buy a cheap property and want to rent it out and become property tycoons! They forget the reason the property was cheap in the first place is because it needs 25K spending on it to drag it into the 21 century.

[@berkayultraslan1]

Your pink hat gave me palpitating seizure

[@mikeberry304]

How's that song go Rip It out And Start Again. !!!!!! Absolute Shite there

[@raver1481]

Please could you speak up on your vids.

[@edglue6138]

Who in the right mind would rent that shit hole?

[@JBE]

I'm afraid Manchester and many other City's across the UK have properties like this with tenants lining up to move in.

[@edglue6138]

@@JBE I'm a Scouser, I understand.