Emergency Electrical Fire Callout in Dawlish: A Detailed Account

In the picturesque town of Dawlish, Devon, we recently encountered an emergency electrical situation that underscores the critical importance of using quality materials and proper load calculations in electrical installations. This blog post provides a detailed account of our recent callout, the problems faced by the customer, and how we effectively rectified the issue. For a more immersive experience, we encourage you to watch the full video on our YouTube channel and contact us for any electrical installation, emergency services, and upgrades.

Emergency Electrical Fire Callout in Dawlish: A Detailed Account

We received a call late one night regarding a burning smell in an apartment. The National Grid had already been out to inspect their part of the setup. They advised the tenants to get an emergency electrician, as they identified the issue was beyond their scope. When we arrived at the scene, we found that the apartment had no power. Also, there was a distinct smell of burning electrical components filled the air. Due to the late hour and lack of appropriate equipment, we had to postpone the full repair until the next day.

Challenges with Sourcing Quality Materials

The next morning, our first task was to find suitable replacement parts. However, this was not as straightforward as one might think. The market is flooded with budget, low-quality electrical components. Not only are these unreliable but they can also pose serious safety risks. It took us seven calls to different wholesalers before we could locate the high-quality components we needed off the shelf. This situation is a common frustration in our field and serves as a reminder of the importance of insisting on quality materials.

Previous Encounters with Budget Materials

Our frustrations with poor-quality materials are not unfounded. Just a few days prior, we responded to a callout involving a failed isolator that had almost caught fire. This isolator was relatively new, indicating that it was not an issue of age or poor maintenance, but rather of substandard manufacturing. This is why we are committed to using only the best components. Even if it means spending a bit more time and effort sourcing them.

Identifying the Problem

Upon returning to the apartment, we conducted a thorough inspection. The equipment involved was Proteus, a brand known for its reliability, which led us to believe that the issue was not with the equipment itself but possibly due to an overloaded cable and fuse. We discovered a 10mm armoured cable supplying the entire apartment, which included high-consumption appliances such as electric heating, water heaters, induction hobs, and ovens.

Our suspicions were confirmed when we examined the fuse carrier and found it had melted without blowing the fuse. This indicated that the load was exceeding the fuse’s rating but not enough to cause an immediate failure. Over time, this excessive load caused the fuse carrier to overheat and deteriorate.

The Repair Process

We began by replacing the damaged components with high-quality, robust alternatives. The new isolator we installed was a significant upgrade. It featured a large, sturdy metal enclosure, which is excellent for securing large cables and ensuring reliable connections. This isolator also allowed for better load management with its superior design and construction.

During the replacement, we noted several issues with the previous installation. The armoured cable had not been properly glanded, and the connections were poorly made, contributing to the overheating problem. We corrected these issues, ensuring that all connections were secure and that the armoured cable was appropriately terminated.

Load Testing and Future Recommendations

After restoring power, we conducted a load test to determine the actual power consumption of the apartment. With the central heating, hot water, rings, and oven running, the system was drawing around 65-66 amps. This confirmed our suspicion that the original 63 amp fuse and 10mm cable were insufficient for the load.

Further investigation revealed that the apartment had been converted: From a light-use venue to a full residential space with high-power demands. Inside was an induction hob, oven, washing machine, dryer, and an electric central heating system. These appliances were installed without considering the capacity of the existing electrical supply. This was the direct cause of the overheating and eventual failure of the system.

Upgrading the Electrical Supply

Given the significant increase in power demand, we recommended an upgrade to the supply system. A minimum of an 80 amp supply would be necessary to handle the load safely. Additionally, we planned to check the other two apartments in the building. Since they also had high-power demands they could have potentially face similar issues.

The upgraded isolator and connections we installed are temporary solutions. The system needs a comprehensive upgrade to ensure long-term safety and reliability. This includes replacing the undersized 10mm cable with a more suitable gauge that can handle the increased load. This would prevent future overheating and potential fire hazards.

Concluding this Emergency Electrical Fire Callout

Given the significant increase in power demand, we recommended an upgrade to the supply system. A minimum of an 80 amp supply would be necessary to handle the load safely. Additionally, we planned to check the other two apartments in the building. Since they also had high-power demands they could have potentially face similar issues.

The upgraded isolator and connections we installed are temporary solutions. The system needs a comprehensive upgrade to ensure long-term safety and reliability. This includes replacing the undersized 10mm cable with a more suitable gauge that can handle the increased load. This would prevent future overheating and potential fire hazards.