EICR Wil my consumer unit need replacing?

Deleted member 155101 · Jul 22, 2023

I've booked in an electrician to run an EICR, I have an old unit here, whilst searching for quotes one guy said it looks ok and may not need replacing. The guy I've booked in says it likely will. My question is Is there a way I can witness the unit failing tests? How do I know it will fail or is it his word I have to go by? I'm in a 2 bed terrace.
Thanks

[ElectriciansForums.net] EICR Wil my consumer unit need replacing?

cliffed · Jul 22, 2023

No RCD protection on the RHS circuits the most important circuit will be the bathroom room area if no supplementary bonding then C2 if installed C3
Other factors may incur with the DB/CU IP ratings compromised & RCD Selectivity/Trip times
If all passes then see no reason to change… Ideally why not change it RCBO’S/SPD/AFDD

Dustydazzler · Jul 22, 2023

Reality is this is an old 16th ed board possibly 25 year old or more.
The cabling itself may well test up okay but I would be advising to change the board to a much more modern set up with indvidual RCBO protection for each circuit. Which unless the Regs change dramaticlaly over the next few years A new modern RCBO board will be good for ages.
an 8 RCBO board with surge protcetion I do for £900-£1000, IMO it would be money well spent

Avo Mk8 · Jul 22, 2023

Dustydazzler said:
Reality is this is an old 16th ed board possibly 25 year old or more.

The RCD is from the early 80's, so I think it's more like 40 years old!

Wylex Wses 80/2 RCD

Two pole Wylex 30mA RCD with plastic case from 1983

flameport.com

Also cellar sockets (on a 6A mcb) on the non-rcd side might raise concerns?

littlespark · Jul 22, 2023

The total of the left hand circuits exceeds the 80A rating of the rcd…. Unlikely to happen, but someone having a shower, just as the cooker is heating up, and a few high rated appliances…

I don’t expect a 40 year old rcd to trip at all unless it’s been tested frequently.

Changing to an all RCBO board is less nuisance if there’s a trip. A light bulb goes in a plug in table lamp, and you lose everything…

Is there anything else that suggests the property needs an EICR? New purchase? Rental property? Dodgy DIY?

It might be false economy to get the EICR done first, just to be told you definitely need a new board…. Changing the board includes much of the same testing.
If you decide beforehand you want a new board, there will be a test certificate to cover that anyway.

And just to make you aware, you don’t have to use the same electrician that did the EICR to do the remedials. And also a decent EICR, should take 3 to 4 hours. If they’re in and out in 45 minutes, it’s not been done correctly.

Deleted member 155101 · Jul 22, 2023

littlespark said:
The total of the left hand circuits exceeds the 80A rating of the rcd…. Unlikely to happen, but someone having a shower, just as the cooker is heating up, and a few high rated appliances…

I don’t expect a 40 year old rcd to trip at all unless it’s been tested frequently.

Changing to an all RCBO board is less nuisance if there’s a trip. A light bulb goes in a plug in table lamp, and you lose everything…

Is there anything else that suggests the property needs an EICR? New purchase? Rental property? Dodgy DIY?

It might be false economy to get the EICR done first, just to be told you definitely need a new board…. Changing the board includes much of the same testing.
If you decide beforehand you want a new board, there will be a test certificate to cover that anyway.

And just to make you aware, you don’t have to use the same electrician that did the EICR to do the remedials. And also a decent EICR, should take 3 to 4 hours. If they’re in and out in 45 minutes, it’s not been done correctly.

Thank for your reply
It's so I can rent my property,
If it fails the EICR due to the consumer unit, get the unit replaced my concern is that I need to pay for another EICR, is that right? If it's a false economy to do this is it recommended to go for the replacement?
Thanks

Dustydazzler · Jul 22, 2023

If it were my property I would get the board changed FIRST , this will likely pick up any testing Issues which will need to be fixed before the board is completed.
You will then get a nice Install Cert for the new Board and if you still need an EICR is will be much simpler