Electric Socket in Stable

K

Keep Trying

Well-Known Member
Joined
3 May 2010
Messages
120
Visit site
Hi, livery yard owner has decided to use two stables for another venture and turfed myself and my stable neighbour out using 'made up' excuses to justify the action. The only problem for me is that my horse is on box rest and the new stable that we have found has a double electric socket and cable running up the wall in it.

I know electricity is lethal to horses but I am stuck as stabling is non existent in our area and the horse has to stay in for the next six weeks. I know horse will 'investigate' all areas of new stable and I'm racking my brains as to how best to make the socket and wiring safe before we get there.

I was going to put something like a plastic tub over the socket and screw it to the wall but what about the wiring?...can I fit trunking straight over that??...does anyone have any other ideas??

I am trying to find an alternative stable but getting nowhere very quickly with that one.

Thank for any help.
 
Few thoughts:

1) Can you have it disconnected. If its not going to be used you might as well ask to see if that line or that segment can be disconnected so that its rendered harmless (at least electrically).
Removing the fuse from a remote fuse box; disconnecting it at a joining box or such might be all that's needed.

2) I would think a plastic cover is only a short term solution as it might not withstand equine inspection or the odd random kick. A metal cover of some kind might be in order.

3) If its not suitable for a stall it might be worth talking to the people in charge at the barn and asking if the line itself could be fully removed to render it safe for horses to be stabled there if they are using other stalls for new purposes.


Removing or disconnecting should be pretty quick affairs and only require a short while with the mains power out to ensure that its safe to work. If planned out before the mains are turned off it could be pretty quick [if you turn the mains off and then get started you'll lose some time to just planning and looking at the situation before you get started).
 
Wouldn't be thrilled about any covering options really... Do you need a stable or would an electric fence pen (the irony!) be doable in a field while you look around?
 
What sort of cable is it and is it a conventional domestic socket? If it is the white /grey,flat twin and earth ,it is totally unacceptable. You say the cable runs up the wall ,presumably from near ground level. Even Armoured cable would not be acceptable ,a hoof blow from a cast horse could easily tear it open. The sockets should be disconnected at the fuse board,Both live and neutral wires. Switching off or pulling a fuse is not adequate as someone might replace or turn it back on. As a business ,the yard should have a safety certificate for the electrics for insurance purposes. Putting livestock in a building with unsuitable electrics would invalidate the insurance.
The regulations in question here in the UK are the IEE regulations edition 18 and section 705 .513 onwards are the varios regulations particularly applicable to livestock.
 
Thanks for all the advice.

I have enquired about the 'disconnection option' but not really got anywhere with that, therefore, I have visited a local engineering firm and had purpose built caging made to fit over the entire structure. It's in place now and is a solid structure which prevents any access to the socket/wiring and it seems to be working very well.

Roll on turnout time!

Thanks again.
 
Is the socket surface mounted & the cable runs down the wall on the surface? If so I would remove the socket from the wall. Then remove the cable clips etc that retains the cable to the wall & put the whole lot up in the rafters out of reach of the horse. That way if the YO ever wants to return the stable to its previous use it's a simple job.

The socket could also be removed from the cable, a junction box fitted to the end that would blank off the cable & then lose that into the roof space.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top