No earth in lighting circuit what next?

Elliott96 · Feb 8, 2019

Im sure this has probably been asked before in this forum but ive just upgraded a fuseboard today and found no earth in the lighting (two core). Obviously the next thing to do would be to tell the customer either rewire or change everything on that circuit to class 2 fittings and accessories, but in this case the customer didnt want to go ahead with either.... what should i do? Cutting the circuit out would be abit extreme?

peterhyper · Feb 9, 2019

snowhead said:
There seems to be a few opinions that the O.P should correct the situation free of charge.
The Customer has already said no to alterations.

What next when the O.P says to the customer that he's going to rip plaster off the walls to rewire with T&E to all the switch points and rip up floor boards to get to lighting points free of charge and the customer still says No or says if so then the O.P will have to pay to have the whole house redecorated?

Why shouldn't he redecorate the entire house because it's his fault there isn't a cpc on the lighting circuit. As a further measure of good will he could also do an extension on the house as well.

Wilko · Feb 9, 2019

Nothing can be done if the Owner will not permit it. I have had one where I saw that an RCD was required in a Special Location but not present. I had the necessary Wylex RCBO to hand and offered to "just do it" for its cost price and was refused. Still bothers me.

Wilko · Feb 9, 2019

Duplicate

Elliott96 · Feb 9, 2019

Wilko said:
Nothing can be done if the Owner will not permit it. I have had one where I saw that an RCD was required in a Special Location but not present. I had the necessary Wylex RCBO to hand and offered to "just do it" for its cost price and was refused. Still bothers me.

Exactly, i dont even think its the cost shes worried about, its more the chasing out the walls or having crappy accessories in her posh flat.

Wilko · Feb 9, 2019

In terms of re-cabling, I have had some luck pulling cables down into switches through the original conduit of older installations. But you do need top access.

Andy78 · Feb 9, 2019

Elliott96 said:
Its all to do with cost isnt it... i dont charge for quotes on a fuseboard but after this i will be.

No need to charge for quotes. The way I approach it is to have a good visual assessment and a few pertinent tests upon quoting. Needn't take more than 15 minutes. If I think there may be issues based on the age and/or state of the install I will offer to test fully beforehand and give a fully informed opinion to the customer, charging just for the testing if they decide not to have the board swapped.

Andy78 · Feb 9, 2019

Wilko said:
In terms of re-cabling, I have had some luck pulling cables down into switches through the original conduit of older installations. But you do need top access.

That's always nice, and there are a lot of houses round here with those drops. Originally housed the VIR singles into wooden flush boxes. Can't fit more than a 1mm twin and 1mm 3core down them though, so don't always get away with no chasing.

Midwest · Feb 9, 2019

peterhyper said:
Good luck with people actually paying you for a quote when all the other sparks in your area give free quotes.

Like lunch, there's no such thing as a free quotation

Midwest · Feb 9, 2019

Stuff testing anything without getting the job.

Deleted member 26818 · Feb 9, 2019

Midwest said:
Stuff testing anything without getting the job.

I’ve done it.
Made a visual inspection, run a few tests and asked some questions.
Then turned round and said they don’t need a new CU.

Midwest · Feb 9, 2019

spinlondon said:
I’ve done it.
Made a visual inspection, run a few tests and asked some questions.
Then turned round and said they don’t need a new CU.

Each to their own. I changed a few light bulbs for Mrs Miggins and never charged her. Trump that.

Marcus Vaughan · Feb 9, 2019

[ElectriciansForums.net] No earth in lighting circuit what next?

Interesting post this. I’ve only just started consumer unit change outs.

I have one due very soon - it’s taken me two days so far to test, fault find and rectify. Things like this NE fault on a lighting circuit as shown in image above (Light was still working!). Other faults as well.... a bit of a list.

I just want a full schedule of good test results before swapping out. Dangerous faults found were found and rectified before re-energising. I’ve still a couple of further investigations to carry out.

Then again my customer is very understanding. The vast majority of the wiring is in good condition. He is saving thousands by getting repairs instead of a rewire.

I can’t imagine swapping a CU and ‘hoping for the best’. (Comment not aimed at the OP - but if I’m honest - am taking his dilemma as reinforcement on my desire to thoroughly test first).

Good luck to Elliott.

Andy78 · Feb 9, 2019

Midwest said:
Each to their own. I changed a few light bulbs for Mrs Miggins and never charged her. Trump that.

But did she give you one of her famous pies ?

Midwest · Feb 9, 2019

Andy78 said:
But did she give you one of her famous pies ?

Nope, just some brown grit in hot water.

ruston · Feb 9, 2019

Marcus Vaughan said:
View attachment 47704 Interesting post this. I’ve only just started consumer unit change outs.

I have one due very soon - it’s taken me two days so far to test, fault find and rectify. Things like this NE fault on a lighting circuit as shown in image above (Light was still working!). Other faults as well.... a bit of a list.

I just want a full schedule of good test results before swapping out. Dangerous faults found were found and rectified before re-energising. I’ve still a couple of further investigations to carry out.

Then again my customer is very understanding. The vast majority of the wiring is in good condition. He is saving thousands by getting repairs instead of a rewire.

I can’t imagine swapping a CU and ‘hoping for the best’. (Comment not aimed at the OP - but if I’m honest - am taking his dilemma as reinforcement on my desire to thoroughly test first).

Good luck to Elliott.

Being on site could you actually see how they managed to get that nail through that second cable , obviously it must have been trapped, but how have they hammered the nail in in the first place?