I'm not sure if the Regs allowed separately bare earths.

sham · Oct 17, 2018

I've been on this job to do an inspection before fitting a new RCD OR RCBO board. In most of my career until now the CPC is inside the T+E cable. This property has a separate CPC all through out the building. Only where there has been modifications, modern wiring has been used. If I can prove the ZS is good, is it ok to connect to this system. It's seems to be mainly the lighting that is wired in single sheathed cable which has been ran in conduit. I am hoping if anyone has any information regarding the regs about separate bare earth running through the property. There is a risk of borrowed neutrals if changing to an rcd or rcbo board. The customer does not want a Rewire but wants spots fitted and sockets moving. I have convinced him to change the board, now I am worried about nuisance tripping. However if you could advice about the earth mainly would be a great help. Personally I feel the wiring was good for it's day.

[ElectriciansForums.net] I'm not sure if the Regs allowed separately bare earths.

sham · Oct 18, 2018

Midwest said:
It'll be ok when the house burns down; the new metal CU will be holding up the only remaining wall.

I was thinking that a RCD board would be a good idea given the circumstances.

sham · Oct 18, 2018

westward10 said:
That is for you to decide the level of what you feel is still okay to be left in service, me personally I would be suggesting that should be rewired. You also need to consider was it actually compliant at the time of installation or a later ad hoc addition.

Have suggested it, he has plastered and decorated it. His even fitted a bar. I feel that in these circumstances that an rcd board would be a good idea. As long as I have a good reason . I can even write it down on the cert. What do you think.

Midwest · Oct 18, 2018

sham said:
I was thinking that a RCD board would be a good idea given the circumstances.

RCD's don't sort all things. Just ask the AFDD's manufacturers

sham · Oct 18, 2018

When someone opens the board, It has 5 neutrals and 5 live cables and only one earth going out, this can be confusing. It will look look like none of the lighting is earthed.

westward10 · Oct 18, 2018

If it were me I would not be replacing the board.

Midwest · Oct 18, 2018

westward10 said:
If it were me I would not be replacing the board.

I have been trying to suggest that, in my own equivocal way. Trust you westward to be so forthright

MFS Electrical · Oct 18, 2018

Midwest said:
It'll be ok when the house burns down; the new metal CU will be holding up the only remaining wall.

Don’t know so much about that RCDs are used to provide fire protection sometimes so replacing the board would leave the installation in a better condition than it is now as long as the cables test out ok

Midwest · Oct 18, 2018

MFS Electrical said:
Don’t know so much about that RCDs are used to provide fire protection sometimes so replacing the board would leave the installation in a better condition than it is now as long as they test out ok

I'm trying to contain myself. In that case, why does the house owner want to replace his perfectly serviceable fuseboard with a modern equivalent CU, but not replace the 70 + year old wiring?

Why shouldn't it be left just as is?

MFS Electrical · Oct 18, 2018

Obviously in an ideal world the best way would be to rewire I’d probably explain to the customer why it would be a good idea to rewire but not everyone has the means to rewire etc so as long as the tests were ok sticking in a new board would be better than nothing .

MFS Electrical · Oct 18, 2018

Midwest said:
I'm trying to contain myself. In that case, why does the house owner want to replace his perfectly serviceable fuseboard with a modern equivalent CU, but not replace the 70 + year old wiring?

Why shouldn't it be left just as is?

Because there are alterations being carried out and as we know anything we do must comply so more than likely RCD protection would be required. How many boards have you replaced without rewiring the whole house?

sham · Oct 18, 2018

Midwest said:
I'm trying to contain myself. In that case, why does the house owner want to replace his perfectly serviceable fuseboard with a modern equivalent CU, but not replace the 70 + year old wiring?

Why shouldn't it be left just as is was the first thing I saw when I walked in. I suggested that it should be replaced as I have heard that breakers do not trip. I he said it would be great if I could, It's not all single earthed, just the lighting. I feel that to exchange when bad situation to a lesser one, even though I know there could be borrowed neutrals.