Funky distribution wiring. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: paulca
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2022, 06:16:58 pm
content: Was out the back of my exe's house for a smoke at Christmas and looked up above her back door to see two large, probably 25mm insulated tails running across her roof eves.I followed said tails and they were clipped all the way along both semi-detached bungalows and then tension wired across to the next pair.At her door there were two of those weather sealed taps that drive into the tails. It was too hard to see if both tails went into the consumer unit, or only one.Is this likely to be a small ring around the bungalow "close" to save putting it underground, or maybe retro fit? That would make it Line/Live only and make the houses self earth referencing TTS? Either that or it's L+N and the houses are just on a multi house spur.What struck me as really odd though and why it stuck with me. These are at around 7ft off the ground. You can literally reach up and tug on them just above head height. They are really, really trusting those tap things are sealed from rain, damp and accidental contact with people. I would not want to be on the end of that shock.

author: SmallCog
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2022, 11:35:10 am
content: 7’ wouldn’t pass muster herehttps://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/-/media/busind/techstdpubs/Specifications-and-drawings/Standard-Drawings-Roads/Electrical-and-ITS/SD1333.pdf?la=en] https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/-/media/busind/techstdpubs/Specifications-and-drawings/Standard-Drawings-Roads/Electrical-and-ITS/SD1333.pdf?la=enLV in that table being less than 1000VAC

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2022, 12:37:52 pm
content: Quotejust the same as if it was fed from an underground source,one large cable with the supplys T'd off.Quotethis sort of thing?https://youtu.be/bbJRK4Q8cik?t=641

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2022, 02:52:19 pm
content: Sounds similar to an arrangement on the old house I lived in. It had a junction box which took the 3ph(?) cable from the ground and split it into the six houses nearby. They just chose my house to mount the kit on.

author: paulca
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2022, 04:45:56 pm
content: Quote from: themadhippy on January 19, 2022, 12:37:52 pmYep, but as it's a bungalow they are clipped up under the roof eves and within arms reach.

author: paulca
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2022, 04:47:22 pm
content: Quote from: tom66 on January 19, 2022, 02:52:19 pmLast apartment I was in had 1 incoming line, 3 meters and 4 consumer units. It looked for all intents and purposes the common area of the apartments was running unmetered.

author: paulca
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2022, 12:53:33 pm
content: Got a photo of this. Janky or what?

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2022, 09:44:35 pm
content: Those outdoor IDC connectors are actually extremely reliable...

author: paulca
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2022, 04:18:39 pm
content: If my 4 yo gets tall enough, by current rate around 8 yo and grabs both those connector blocks, how toasty is she going to be?

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2022, 07:25:08 pm
content: Well theyareinsulated, including the clamping bolts.If you are concerned, then you should contact your DNO, who will respond very quickly to potential safety issues.