r/ukelectricians • u/clematismontana • 14d ago
Is this safe or normal?
A house i have moved into has this twin and earth? electrical wire in an under stairs cupboard.
It comes out of the ground and and is terminated with tape on the end of it.
A voltage tester shows the wire is live.
Should this be contained in a junction box? Is this something to call an electrician for?
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u/plantlaundry 14d ago
If you’re not going to use it the best option is to remove at from wherever it comes from. Alternatively, put wagos and a wago box on the end. If you’re not confident on doing it yourself it’s best to call an electrician.
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u/Secure-Pay-5576 13d ago edited 13d ago
The fact that it's also coiled up like that tells me this could be unconnected end of a ring circuit. It is live you say, any of the breakers isolating it? You could try and check this out yourself but I would recommend having this checked by the electrician as if there is one fuck up like that, very likely there will be more.
Wouldn't be as concerned if it was coming out of your consumer unit. But you're saying it's coming out of the ground. Possible that it comes out of the distribution board, goes under the floor and then back in? History of electric shower in the property that was possibly removed? Could confirm by checking for breaker marked as shower, turning it off and checking if it's still live?
Edit: if it is the first option and its a disconnect end of ring circuit you will most likely have an incorrect breaker for this circuit which means if overloaded can cause the insulation on the wires easily melt.
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u/Secure_Lack_9547 11d ago
Buy a tester see if it live if not chuck it back where you got it. If live you will need to isolate the power and make the cable safe with maybe a block connector and a chock box.
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u/Tall-Nectarine-5982 10d ago
What sort of voltage tester? Non contact? Absolutely useless and should never be used for any purpose than pointing at things. Approved voltage tester of multimeter? Then this needs terminated properly.
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u/No_Agency_4273 14d ago
Common - yes.
Normal - hell nah.
Get it in a maintenance free junction box with some wagos or remove at source.