[Help] Eletrical enquiry

[Mortdecai]

I am currently replacing my driveway lamp posts and I noticed the wiring is what I would consider dubious.

As you can see the negative appears to be made of the wire shield. It’s been like it for some 20+ years but should I be worried?

As regards to these wires I don’t have a fecking clue.

Over to you guys.

 

[lawros left foot]

Shocking!!

 

[moggy]

I see you’re in Finland

 

[moggy]

Those copper strands look like armour protection and been taped in blue tape ( maybe didn’t have yellow/green tubing or tape)

 

[swindonseagull]

That’s not 20 years old as those type of junction blocks have not been around that long, as far as I’m aware..

 

[*Gullsworth*]

What voltage? Could it be low voltage wiring?

 

[SIMMO SAYS]

It only looks a five minute job to my trained eye.

 

[moggy]

What appears to be happening here is the black wire is the live.
It’s a solid core.
The outside protective armour has been used as a neutral.
It’s basically a single core cable with protection.
Needs to be ripped out.
If the new lights are 240v , you’ll need an earth getting to each lamp for a start.

 

[Official Old Man]

Not sure what a single core with earth would be used for, but certainly not for lighting. Needs changing, I used a three core from Screwfix but others available. But can you not fit solar lights instead?
NOTE if swapping cable remember to tie new to old to pull through piping.

 

[Mortdecai]

That’s not 20 years old as those type of junction blocks have not been around that long, as far as I’m aware..

I put those on as I didn’t want just bare wires under my bucket protecting everything.

 

[Mortdecai]

What appears to be happening here is the black wire is the live.
It’s a solid core.
The outside protective armour has been used as a neutral.
It’s basically a single core cable with protection.
Needs to be ripped out.
If the new lights are 240v , you’ll need an earth getting to each lamp for a start.

That was the impression I got. The other thing is the house is about 30 odd years old. The previous owner was an electrician.

It also appears that all the sockets in the house are earthed by wiring in the negative to the earth. Seems this was a done thing back in the day.

 

[moggy]

That was the impression I got. The other thing is the house is about 30 odd years old. The previous owner was an electrician.

It also appears that all the sockets in the house are earthed by wiring in the negative to the earth. Seems this was a done thing back in the day.

Mmmmm, I’m a qualified electrician.
The earth would only be connected to the neutral near the main incoming fuse if your house is TNS system.
Regardless of whatever has been done, you’ll need to run a 2-core & earth to all lamps.
Are they fed from a fused spur inside the house?

 

[Mortdecai]

Mmmmm, I’m a qualified electrician.
The earth would only be connected to the neutral near the main incoming fuse if your house is TNS system.
Regardless of whatever has been done, you’ll need to run a 2-core & earth to all lamps.
Are they fed from a fused spur inside the house?

Yep connected to one of the fuse boxes inside the house.

 

[Mortdecai]

I recently got a quote of approx 20k-25k to rewire the house, garage and pool plus change all the fuse boxes I have in both the house and garage.

 

[Mortdecai]

Buggered if I can afford that at the moment.

 

[moggy]

Buggered if I can afford that at the moment.

Back to my original question.
Are you in Finland?

 

[Mortdecai]

Yep, I live in Finland.

 

[Stat Brother]

I recently got a quote of approx 20k-25k to rewire the house, garage and pool plus change all the fuse boxes I have in both the house and garage.

A lot of money for a 5 minute job.

 

[Rowdey]

I recently got a quote of approx 20k-25k to rewire the house, garage and pool plus change all the fuse boxes I have in both the house and garage.

Oo.. that seems punchy, but then i read 'Pool' and thought.. pay up you tight basterd..

 

[moggy]

Yep, I live in Finland.

So this is your garden in Finland?