A quick check on if replacement CU is required.

[Adrian Haslett]

I had a new extension done recently and the extension electrics have been added to the ring main of the downstairs sockets etc accordingly. I am being told though the work can not be signed of unless the plastic CU fitted only 3 years back is changed for a Metal one following Jan 2016 regs. Their are no new connections to the CU as part of the extension, so can someone confirm this is correct as it seems its an additional £250 Supply and fit for this.


Thanks

 

[SparkyChick]

To be brutally honest, your mate can't really sign it off as a third party certifier because I'm guessing he didn't see it at first fix stage to confirm everything was kosher with the installation work?

Or is it that building control are wanting an EICR for a regularisation process rather than an EIC?

Edit:-

What I mean by the opening paragraph is... I wouldn't be willing to sign it off using an EIC as a third party certifier... is he?

 

[R G]

To be fair , the electrician you have is aware that he shouldn't be issuing an Installation Cert and as I would do is just carry out an EICR , because he hasn't designed and installed any of the work , just simply testing it only , so in a round about what is suggesting a replacement CU as a way of issuing an Installation Cert to satisfy yourself and BC ...

 

[Adrian Haslett]

Hello

As i am a bit hot i.e carefull on electrics and watching my Dad for years. I noted every part of what happened and corrected when wrong i.e the builder tried to connect to both sides of the existing house sockets which would have created a figure eight double ring or whatever you would call it, as i had already noted both sides when taken from plug were still live. I mentioned this and said take one set of wires from one plug and connect to that for extension leaving other set attached to socket and then bring the extension loop back to that socket, theirfor extending ring correctly. I did this part as he disagreed but electrician confirmed this is 100% correct way. I also put blanking plates whereever theirs a join etc. So electrics can be checked easly. I beleive this is why electrician having seen all this is happy to certify but saying i need a metal CU. If builder had done what i paid, no issues. But i was left in the mess and trying to correct as last part BC want to see on their computers.

Hope this helps.

 

[Toneyz]

For what you have said although done correctly you have undertaken small part of installation. As Sparkychick posted this installation SHOULD have been tested before energised and put into service therefore if done could have been incorporated into the builders building control . Your electrician as said can only do a EICR based upon BS7671 Amd 3 and therefore has ADVISED that the consumer unit does not comply with this as it is not of metal construction.

 

[7029 dave]

#11 I am in agreement, why would you need to notify to BC, if additions to existing circuits.? It's not a new circuit or in any special location.

 

[Toneyz]

#11 I am in agreement, why would you need to notify to BC, if additions to existing circuits.? It's not a new circuit or in any special location.

However it still should have been tested.

 

[7029 dave]

However it still should have been tested.

Yes that goes without saying.

 

[ruston]

Are BC aware of the extent of the electrical work?
If so why are they asking for a sign off .

 

[snowhead]

The simplest way is to agree to the work, get the paperwork and satisfy B.C.

The cheaper, longer and possibly impossible way would be to argue with B.C that it's not a new circuit and therefore doesn't need notifying.
To do that you'd need a report from an Electrician confirming the situation.
And you still might not satisfy B.C

Is it Local authority B.C or a private Approved B.C Inspector?

 

[ruston]

Sometimes discretion is the better part of valour, and at least if you sell up your house , it is up to current standards .
Plus you have learned a very valuable lesson.

 

[Deleted account]

It is an alteration to an existing circuit that's not in a special location so a simple minor works cert shown to building control would be adequate, but I wouldn't cert anyone else's work off.

As mentioned earlier an electrical installation condition report is all I would do.

As for new metal clad 3rd amendment. It's partly down to the individual sparky, but There is no way I would change a cu that is only 3 years old unless I had good reason.

 

[ruston]

I agree , but I think it is the builder who has done the ' electrical alterations'.

 

[Adrian Haslett]

Its local authority BC. Basically i withheld the final intallment of £1800, gone down to £1500 as he did not finish plumbing i.e left me with no waste downstairs so no toilet, bath etc working. I told builder he would get the £1500 when BC are happy and they want sign off for extension electrical work. Any cost would come from the £1500. I dont think he would argue about £125 but if I remove £350. All the arguments will start again. Etc. I am already getting horrible expansion noises from the flat GRP roof, which i cannot see the builder ever sorting. So could end up costing me even more money. I think this is a tough one. Officially it sounds like i dont need metal box. But to get sign off i may have to bite my lip ?. Does £350 sound ok for inspection/testing of extension wiring and new CU ?. I am aware a CU is only around £80 but so about £145 labour for exchanging it seems. I expect thats a fair price ?.

 

[telectrix]

Does £350 sound ok for inspection/testing of extension wiring and new CU ?. I am aware a CU is only around £80 but so about £145 labour for exchanging it seems. I expect thats a fair price ?.

that is a fair price. a CU replacement, including testing, is a full day's work, with about an hour or 2 on top filling in the cert.

 

[mache]

If its supply, fit, test and notify of the new CU sounds reasonable to be fair to your electrician and you get what you need and he clearly feels that he's covered at the end of the day.