-
In theory you could insulation resistance test the individual cores and try and establish which ones are sound, but i can’t recommend it in good faith. You wouldn’t risk using a pipe you knew you had cracked just because you couldn’t see it leaking.
You shouldn’t use the uninsulated earth as a live conductor, even though you do see it. The sheath isn’t rated for use as insulation. And every point of the installation should be earthed.
Can’t really advise what I’d do without seeing the layout of the place. Is there no chance you could pull a new cable through using the old one?
Nef-
my friendly electrician did that for me and it's only the grey which is bad. I didn't want to make him feel uncomfortable with these sorts of questions so thought i'd rely on the anonymity of a forum instead...
i could run a new cable - but it would mean cutting a section of the ceiing out and then running again in the same holes (the cable runs perpendicular to the joists). probably my only option if we want a fan to run without being a stupid risk.
terlg
Yeah - i remember when pulling the cable through holes in the roof joists that i pinched it - i was too lazy/fucked off with life at the time to properly check so i'm assuming i broke the outer insulation and the grey cables insulation which means its now touching the earth.
@Nef - my worry is yours - the cable is looped under PIR insulation sandwiched between it and the ceiling - so my mind thinks fire risk?
I really can't bring myself to re-do the ceiling though
there is a lesson here somewhere