my grandad had an extension built and the person that wired in the light has used normal 3 core indoor cable. but he has wired it into the kitchen so it can plug into a socket which meant that the cable goes outside along the wall for 5ft. is this legal, electrically safe etc. normal cable,not boxed in, exposed to elements etc?
2007-12-16 16:53:50 · 10 answers · asked by pink0666floyd 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
It's a lash-up, a permanent light should be permanently wired in and not plugged into a socket, nor should internal cable be run outdoors without proper protection. That's for the UK, and clearly the same in the US too.
Grandad needs to get a properly qualified electrician in.
You're right to be concerned.
2007-12-16 17:24:55 · answer #1 · answered by champer 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Basically, you answered your own question before asking it. Indoor cable was used outdoors. You might want to check with your local town board (building dept) for the legal issues involved, but in Ohio (where I live) that is definetely not up to code. If the house is sold, it wont pass inspection and worse than that, if anything happens (such as a fire), you can held liable for incorrect wiring. But your city building inspectors can tell you what is allowable in your area.
2007-12-17 01:24:14 · answer #2 · answered by Nightrider 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
no , as has been said before it is not safe and is not up to uk regulations
however , it depends on how often it is used, as long as you plug it in via an rcd adapter (see link) and its not left pluged in you should be ok
if at all possible though you should look at having it rewired to be 100% safe
http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/710299
but an rcd adapter is the min i would do ,if there is an problem with the wire or light at least it will trip and isolate the problem
i would certainly think very hard about getting it rewired.
2007-12-17 15:49:23 · answer #3 · answered by david h 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It should be at least put on it's own breaker..you are plugging another entire room on a circuit that already runs your refridgerater , dishwasher, micro waves etc... When you try to turn much more than a light on in the new room..such as an air conditioner, electric heater etc..it will surely start kicking the breakers off..as well as it is illegal to do this and unsafe
2007-12-17 06:05:04 · answer #4 · answered by pcbeachrat 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no tell him to get an electrician to change the whole thing,proper cables do not run on or around walls or exposed to the elements,we all know about outside lights for christmas but they are properly checked out.nah some cowboy done a cheap and nasty job it sounds dangerous.
2007-12-17 01:11:19 · answer #5 · answered by fozz 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Simple answer - no. You are risking overloading and indoor cable should not be used outside. Get a proper electrician to extend or run in a new ciruit.
2007-12-17 06:47:55 · answer #6 · answered by Bilbo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like the person who did it didnt have any knowledge on how to do the job,every thing about it is wrong. Get a real electrician to rewire the light.
2007-12-17 18:33:30 · answer #7 · answered by petethen2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mother died from a fire started by faulty wiring.
Sometimes it's just better to pay a professional.
2007-12-17 10:04:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No it is not. Not to mention it's ugly!
2007-12-17 02:13:20 · answer #9 · answered by Sandyspacecase 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
if its romax and only 5ft is exposed your fine.its probably not legal,city code,but to make it to code might be more trouble and money than you want.shh!!!!!!.
2007-12-17 01:10:59 · answer #10 · answered by Mike 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋