Other houses power mains in my floor cavity

[seth]

Hi,
While removing some old brick steps out the back, I just discovered the mains power to the townhouses out the back runs through my floor cavity/space. That is it travels above ground, but under my timber floors and is attached to my floor joists/beams.

Where it exist my house it exits 40cm above ground level and descends to below ground right where my old stairs where/are. Is this legal? There seems to be no easment mentioned for services where the electrical is running. It also means I can't remove all of the old brick stairs as the mains is coming out of the wall.

I should clarify I live on the original house before the townhouses down the back were built. We are on the same strata plan but my house is old and different. I'm thinking the way the mains has been done is not correct, and perhaps moving it can be done at the stratas expense. Any suggestions, thoughts?

Cheer

[woodcutta]

Two Words

Lucky you:D

Two more

Free Power:wink:

[thatirwinfella]

seths wattmeter could quite possibly meter the supply for both his house and the townhouse, and the townhouse meter readings are deducted from his readings. unfortunately, he's unlikely to get free power....

search for the supply authority rules, called SIRS in victoria, which can usually be downloaded for free. this will have a few diagrams that should allow you to figure out if it is legal.

Not knowing the rules too well, but from how the house is on the strata, I'd suggest that it could be legal. Rather than pay for it to be removed [unless it is in a dangerous state or you are renovating and it's seriously in the way] have an ammendent made to the strata title where both parties pay for any maintenence issues etc that may arise. this way it wil only cost big IF you need to move it.

[seth]

he's unlikely to get free power....

search for the supply authority rules, called SIRS in victoria, which can usually be downloaded for free. this will have a few diagrams that should allow you to figure out if it is legal.


Nope, no free power. Not unless I'm stupid enough to try and tap into it.

As for it being in the way....

I just wanted to remove the old brick steps out the back, I had moved the back door and the steps were no longer needed. Now it looks like I'll have to put some of the steps back, or build myself a speed hump!

God damn builder. I told him I thought power was there. I can't understand why he continued to remove the steps and not just stop when he realised it was mains.:~

[nev25]

Ring your supply authority and get them to send an electrical inspector to take a look
OR ring an electrical inspector you're self

[GraemeCook]

Seth

Now that the wiring has been exposed where the steps were removed you may now have a safety/liability issue.

I do not know the precise law, but I am sure you are not allowed to have an exposed mains cable 18 inches above ground. What if there's an accident or fire? will insurers deny liability? will safety authorites prosecute you? How do you know the other wiring is safe?

As Nev25 says, get in an electrical inspector real quick.

Good Luck

Graeme

[rileyp]

In Victoria it is legal to run another supply through a cavity in your building but it must be clearly labeled every 300 mm! (300 or 600 or something like this) along the route of the cable on the wall in front or in your case the floor!
For that reason it detracts most sparkies from doing so as it is an unacceptable eyesore
I wired some 3 story apartments once in St Kilda like this (I was an apprentice at the time and did what I was told)
At the end of the of the job I was sent to the first and second floor apartments with traffolite labels to stick up an down the wall in the cable location.
And so in your case the wiring if not clearly labeled would be iilegal.
hope this helps
Rileyp

[patty]

Is this house part of a block of flats strata title orwas it ever part of the townhouses ? if they are, then it is most likely sub-mains coming from a centralised metering location that is located near your house in NSW this is legal and I am sure it still is, have you checked your meterbox to see if you have an isolator/c/breaker for the submains? or is their an extra general rate meter mounted in the M/box?

[patty]

oh yeah and from memory all Electrical Cable must be mininum 600 or 60 cm below ground level that is NSW anyway so that part is not legal

[elkangorito]

Ring your supply authority and get them to send an electrical inspector to take a look
OR ring an electrical inspector you're self

Do not pass "go". Do what nev25 says & get an electrical inspector to look at it.

Wiring rules in most states of Australia allow for the fact that older installations exist. It is only when something needs to change within the older installation that wiring codes need to be upgraded according to the current code (AS/NZ 3000:2000).