LEighLeigh
DIY
Please help, just had a domestic EICR undertaken, a C2 issue: Consumer Unit does not meet minimum I.P rating, what does this mean and how do I check this out? how expensive to rectify? thanks!
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- Thread starter LEighLeigh
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Discuss C2 issues? Consumer Unit & Circuit forms a Figure of 8 Rather than a complete RFC? in the UK Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net
the CU has cable entry holes, these should not be > a certain sizeover and above the cables. . i.e. top is 1mm clearance. sides and bottom are finger size. if not too excessive, some filler would suffice to seal. a picture would help
p.
Nine times out of ten I never view this as a Code 2, can you show a pic of your consumer unit.
OP
LEighLeigh
DIY
![[ElectriciansForums.net] C2 issues? Consumer Unit & Circuit forms a Figure of 8 Rather than a complete RFC?](https://electricians.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/data/attachments/67/67652-1e0bfd9dd4e05de6e863614681775176.jpg)
OP
LEighLeigh
DIY
Also I'm told the 'FI' is really a 'C2' as it requires further investigation. I'd really appreciate some help with that, any opinions welcome please
![[ElectriciansForums.net] C2 issues? Consumer Unit & Circuit forms a Figure of 8 Rather than a complete RFC?](https://www.electriciansforums.net/attachments/capture-jpg.100704/ "[ElectriciansForums.net] C2 issues? Consumer Unit & Circuit forms a Figure of 8 Rather than a complete RFC?")
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From the pic it is impossible to say the extent of the issue.
OP
LEighLeigh
DIY
Yes apologies for that, what does this mean: Circuit forms a Figure of 8 Rather than a complete RFC - is that a C2? He's put FI but in his text msg to me he says that it is a C2, confused
FI means further investigation. this leads to an unsatisfactory report, same as a C2, but in a different way.
as regards the CU IP rating. there are several methods costing very little. a piece of plastic could be cut to fit and glued over the offending hole/s. blue tak, filler.anything that would stop penetration of the enclosure to the relevant rating.basically one does not want a customer to be able to poke a finger in and come into contact with live parts.
as regards the CU IP rating. there are several methods costing very little. a piece of plastic could be cut to fit and glued over the offending hole/s. blue tak, filler.anything that would stop penetration of the enclosure to the relevant rating.basically one does not want a customer to be able to poke a finger in and come into contact with live parts.
OP
LEighLeigh
DIY
really appreciate the replay; what does this mean: Circuit forms a Figure of 8 Rather than a complete RFC - do you come across this a lot?
The fact it has been verified as a figure of eight means it doesn't need investigating (FI) it is what it is. A ring final circuit is as it says a ring or a circle a figure of eight is as it says an eight, just imagine them. Is it dangerous, no providing the connections are sound it is just non conventional but does indicate the circuit has undergone non compliant alterations.
I see you're in Swansea... is the property also in Swansea?
It could mean that two RFC have been cross-connected, so instead of circuit 1 ends A and B going to MCB1 and circuit 2 ends A and B going to MCB2 you have 1A and 2A on MCB1 and 1B and 2B on MCB2.
It is quite dangerous as you now have 64A of total current before they trip on cable designed for a 32A circuit so a cable fault could result in serious damage or even a fire.
Less obvious is someone switches one MCB off to isolate the sockets and discovers in a careless way they are still live from MCB2. Careless in the sense they did not follow a proper safe isolation procedure to actually check the accessory they are working on really is dead.
OP
LEighLeigh
DIY
It is indeed
OP
LEighLeigh
DIY
Is there any way of telling from the EICR report?
No, you would need to ask the electrician who did the inspection for some detail on that.
Given they have said circuit 6 presumably it is a single MCB involved so closer to @westward10 comment.
OP
LEighLeigh
DIY
I get the feeling I'm being a bit ripped off, particularly as I think they were lining me up to buy a new CU. What would I be able to go back with so I sound a bit more clued up?
It is still not good for several reasons, one is you can't perform the usual RFC end-end checks and get all/most sockets connections verified that way.
Other point is unless you know where the loops touch you could end up with a lot more of the current on one leg of the circuit so potentially overloading the cable as the RFC typically uses 2.5mm cable rated at 20A (or so, depending on the installation method) but protected by 30A fuse or 32A MCB on the assumption of moderately sane load distribution.
Fixing the circuit is best answer, but if in doubt dropping the MCB to 20A at least removes the risk of cable overload.
Other point is unless you know where the loops touch you could end up with a lot more of the current on one leg of the circuit so potentially overloading the cable as the RFC typically uses 2.5mm cable rated at 20A (or so, depending on the installation method) but protected by 30A fuse or 32A MCB on the assumption of moderately sane load distribution.
Fixing the circuit is best answer, but if in doubt dropping the MCB to 20A at least removes the risk of cable overload.
OP
LEighLeigh
DIY
I guess that would cause the circuit to trip out more than usual?
OP
LEighLeigh
DIY
Are you based in S Wales also?
Without seeing it we can't tell.
You could get more photos to show the CU and any holes for cable (or other damage) and post them here.
If @SparkyChick cover your area then she is an excellent choice for a 2nd opinion, but it might just get the same answer but now 2 EICR costs and same remedial expense.
More info and guidance can be found for free in the Best Practice Guide #4 here:
https://www.----------------------------/professional-resources/best-practice-guides/
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Does it usually trip?
Unless you have all of the kitchen and rest of the house with heaters, etc, on the same RFC then you are unlikely to trip the MCB on over current at 20A. However, if it is the RCD that is tripping due to a selection of leaky electronics then the better solution would be a new CU with all RCBO so you don't have several circuits accumulation leakage to the point a common RCD trips.
OP
LEighLeigh
DIY
I think that is the answer then, drop the MCB to 20 A
Yes, but I operate in/around Cardiff and Newport.
It might be a solution but you still need to check all of the sockets are soundly connected. I suspect the 'FI' code is down to being unable to verify they are OK in the usual end-end test.
Do you know of any work on the sockets since the installation / last inspection that might explain this?
Looking at the photo there are two circuits (at least, MCB fitted) that as marked as "spare". Are they really unused or just not properly documented?
Reply to C2 issues? Consumer Unit & Circuit forms a Figure of 8 Rather than a complete RFC? in the UK Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net
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