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

 

[Deleted account]

Personally I think it's quite cheap. I charge £450 minimum for cu swap.

I also think it's quite expensive if it doesn't need to be done.

I really think you should consider getting another sparky in to see what he is willing to do. Maybe he will be prepared not to change cu and do a condition report(eicr).

I've done a condition report for building control before in order to get building works signed off for a customers extension. This customer also had difficulties with there builder. This is work I did not carry out so was not willing to certificate a minor works or eir.

I found the installation to be up to current standards as far as what I could visually see and disconnection times where achievable. I reported this and it was accepted by Building control.

It's worth mentioning the existing cu was plastic. I didn't even mention it in the report as it has no code due to it being to current regs when fitted and conforms to all current regs regarding rcd's and disconnection times.

 

[westward10]

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.

Unless it was Proteus or Chint

 

[telectrix]

nowt wrong with chint. i've got several installed , been in a few years. no probs.

 

[The Ghost]

I think the CU is a red herring in the matters above. It does not need changing based on your statements. You need the work done signed off with a MEIWC which should satisfy BC. But as has been stated by @ruston you need it if you want to sell the house and even more important you need it to show the installation is safe, that is for your own peace of mind. Most builder electrics I have had the pleasure of re-terminating and re-wiring show atrocious termination techniques and no art in laying of cables etc.

 

[R G]

Going by the fact that the op has had to correct some items already prior to having the wiring tested and the fact that he has had to make sure the builder has done things differently , knowing this I would be very wary of whats been done
, I do think he should have ensured an Electrician carried to this work before and not relied on a builders word and then allow him to do the work as well ........

 

[ruston]

Going by the fact that the op has had to correct some items already prior to having the wiring tested and the fact that he has had to make sure the builder has done things differently , knowing this I would be very wary of whats been done
, I do think he should have ensured an Electrician carried to this work before and not relied on a builders word and then allow him to do the work as well ........

That is what I was alluding to when I said he has learned a valuable lesson.

 

[Adrian Haslett]

You are correct. I was trustworthy, he said it was going to be signed off etc which i was surprised at giving the lack of grommets, earth sleeving etc but by this time, i could only withhold money and take corrective actions. I will pay the £350, BC will be happy, the builder wont be when he gets £350 less but he should have done a better job and not left me to correcting his mistakes, spent months liasing with BC about requirements etc. Great forum. Thanks for everyones comments.

 

[ruston]

From me , you are most welcome .

 

[telectrix]

You are correct. I was trustworthy, he said it was going to be signed off etc which i was surprised at giving the lack of grommets, earth sleeving etc but by this time, i could only withhold money and take corrective actions. I will pay the £350, BC will be happy, the builder wont be when he gets £350 less but he should have done a better job and not left me to correcting his mistakes, spent months liasing with BC about requirements etc. Great forum. Thanks for everyones comments.

good for you.now the builder will have learnt a lesson. not to mess with things beyond his capabilities.

 

[Dave OCD]

In an ideal world yes he would learn from it and leave electrics alone in future but I bet he'll do the same somewhere else.

 

[R G]

Builders sometimes can be a law to themselves , I tended to steer clear and work directly for the homeowner directly if I could , builders didn't like it if they were involved too , but it didn't take long before the homeowner realised what they were like when they had problems on other things they had done ....
You have to watch them ....

 

[PEG]

Builders sometimes can be a law to themselves , I tended to steer clear and work directly for the homeowner directly if I could , builders didn't like it if they were involved too , but it didn't take long before the homeowner realised what they were like when they had problems on other things they had done ....
You have to watch them ....

He's been dead for years...but you lot can't leave Fred West alone...

 

[Adrian Haslett]

Hello.

Had consumer unit done and 2 faults noted. Downstairs no continuaty on earth sockets. I have been up all night and found dodgy crimp connection. Thats all fixed. Second was no continuaty on all 3 wires for upstairs sockets at CU. I have literally taken off all sockets and all but one has continuaty accross all 3 wires. Does this mean a break between that socket and CU somewhere and if so. How would i confirm that 100% / fix ?.

 

[stummish]

Sounds like you need a sparky to find the fault.

When you say you have continuity between all 3 wires I assume you mean r1 to r1, r2 to r2 and n to n? Or do you mean r1 to r2, r1 to n, r2 to n?

If it's r1 to r1 it could be you're testing the wrong circuit, or a faulty ring. Possibly a buried junction.

As a side note, a fee weeks ago some of us were talking about wagos vs crimps. Case in point, this couldn't happen with wagos.

 

[Adrian Haslett]

Hello. All 3 wires, life, neutrol and earth have no continuity on upstairs sockets. Found only one socket upstairs having issue but electrician tested from CU when fitting. So assume that means issue betwwen that socket and CU ?