Rcd Protection Issue

Aaronh86 · May 4, 2018

Hi everyone,

I recently brought property and wanted to check the electrics were ok, so I got a electrical report done.
1 of the things they stated in the report says " No Rcd protection for lighting and central heating "
The company who did the report have quoted me for changing the consumer unit and rewiring the kitchen.
I just wanted to know if I really need to change the consumer unit based on there being no rcd protection for lights and central heating or is fixing the rcd issue separate from the consumer unit.
I'm assuming other things are rcd protected with my current c.u as there is no mention of them not being protected. The cu I have at the moment doesn't look more than 5 years old either and I only want a new one if it's completely necessary.

Octopus · May 4, 2018

Unless you are planning changes to either of these circuits, then a cu change is not necessary.

Andy78 · May 4, 2018

Hi, a few questions if that's ok ?

What code was applied to the issue of no RCD protection of the lighting and central heating circuits ?
Did you ask the company to quote for the consumer unit swap ?
Why have they quoted to rewire the kitchen ?

Wilko · May 4, 2018

A nice little pic of your existing CU would be good too

Pete999 · May 4, 2018

Andy78 said:
Hi, a few questions if that's ok ?

What code was applied to the issue of no RCD protection of the lighting and central heating circuits ?
Did you ask the company to quote for the consumer unit swap ?
Why have they quoted to rewire the kitchen ?

Cus they are ripping unsuspecting Joe Public to shreds as a matter of course.

Dave OCD · May 4, 2018

This will be a CU installed under the 16th edition of BS7671 I suspect. Nothing wrong whatsoever with the present set-up apart from the Regs became more stringent with regard to requirements for RCD protection with the advent of the 17th edition. The coding should only have been a '3' which means it's not dangerous just non-compliant with current regulations but there are millions of homes like this throughout the UK.

Aaronh86 · May 4, 2018

I wasn't sure if my current cu was rcd protected so I did ask to be quoted for a new one before they did the report.

If I was planning on moving in, I would be fine with the current cu but as my brother and his family are moving in I just want to be sure that it's completely safe. If not I'll get the latest cu.

They quoted me for the kitchen because the sockets are a mess and look a little unsafe. Some of the plug sockets exposed and in a strange layout. So I think something definitely needs to be done about that. Not sure if it's a full rewire is needed on it though.

I've posted pics of the list of jobs in the quote, the quoted jobs, cu and Kitchen pics. I plan on ripping everything out of the kithcen.

[ElectriciansForums.net] Rcd Protection Issue

telectrix · May 4, 2018

it's the C2's that require attention. looking at the quote, it seems a a fair price, but you could get them to just fix the C2's and leave the CU alone, IMO.

Octopus · May 4, 2018

Please be aware that fuseboard changes need full testing, certification, and part p notification....

telectrix · May 4, 2018

OP will be lucky to get a CU these days as good as the one he has. maybe a couple of RCBOs would be a cheaper alternative to a new CU.

Aaronh86 · May 4, 2018

Ok thanks for the advice. Just a couple questions.

By looking at the pics I sent. Can you tell if the current cu is safe and rcd protected on everything except for the lighting and central heating?

My brother is adamant about it being rcd protected because his of kids and wife, so I just wanna be sure.

And would a full kitchen rewire be required to fix the issues with the exposed sockets that are not in use or are there any other ways to fix that problem.

telectrix · May 4, 2018

Aaronh86 said:
Ok thanks for the advice. Just a couple questions.

By looking at the pics I sent. Can you tell if the current cu is safe and rcd protected on everything except for the lighting and central heating? looks good from the pics. far in advance of some of the shyte that's in 10000's of houses.

My brother is adamant about it being rcd protected because his of kids and wife, so I just wanna be sure.it's fine as is, you could add RCBO/s as added protection, but IMO, not necessary, just that the regs. have advanced, a bit like airbags in your car. nice to have, but not obligatory on older models.

And would a full kitchen rewire be required to fix the issues with the exposed sockets that are not in use or are there any other ways to fix that problem. nope. just a couple of hours work to fix.

westward10 · May 4, 2018

The Report needs to identify the problem with the kitchen socket circuit, it seems that some have been moved from their existing positions in a somewhat Heath Robinson fashion. If you are looking at a new kitchen that is probably rectifiable without the need for a rewire but the Report needs to clarify this. As in #10 try to avoid replacing that consumer unit.

Flanders · May 4, 2018

You can get rcbos for that make of consumer unit they are about £30 each , it looks to me that you have got sockets not protected by an rcd first trip on the left , and as stated in the report the mcb for the sockets needs changing to a 32 amp , i guess it would be cheeper fit rcbos and change the 40 amp mcb , there may be a spare 32 amp on the far right as others have said you only need o have the code 1 and 2 observations corrected, ,one reason for having rcd protection on the lights is incase you drill or nail into a cable in the wall

deanmac · May 5, 2018

Flanders said:
You can get rcbos for that make of consumer unit they are about £30 each , it looks to me that you have got sockets not protected by an rcd first trip on the left , and as stated in the report the mcb for the sockets needs changing to a 32 amp , i guess it would be cheeper fit rcbos and change the 40 amp mcb , there may be a spare 32 amp on the far right as others have said you only need o have the code 1 and 2 observations corrected, ,one reason for having rcd protection on the lights is incase you drill or nail into a cable in the wall

would number 12 downlights not fire rated assuming not a flat roof require a code 2 and not 3

Rcd Protection Issue

Aaronh86

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Octopus

Andy78

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Wilko

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Pete999

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Dave OCD

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Aaronh86

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telectrix

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Octopus

telectrix

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Aaronh86

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telectrix

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westward10

Flanders

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deanmac

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