anyone seen this before ?

[Pat Tester]

Asked to visit new client who wanted a cooker wired into c/s, paid visit no spare ways in c/s this was fitted
in March 09 and nic installer new they wanted a cooker at a later date. Had a look at the MK c/u
scratch head Only one rcbo in the board on a lighting circuit. asked if they had the certificate provided
by contractor, this showed all circuits bar 3 had rcbo's fitted and tested, all these now had C-Pak mcbs in place.

What do you do in this situation, I have told them they need a new c/s, a new split load board would be cheaper than fitting new rcbos and a new c/s for cooker and out building.

Is the contractor pulling a fast one ? or has someone gone to the trouble of stealing the rcbos and fitting
mcbs ?

He has also put down supply as TN-C-S when it's TN-S
and noted that circuit 3 has open neutrals, but has not bothered to investigae or remedy.

Is this common, are there RCBO theives or are some approved contractors robbing scum ?

 

[rocker]

Unfortunately a lot of approved contractors are robbing scum. People don't have a clue what is being put in, and if the coppers do come knocking it's 'it werent like that when I fitted it, guv'.

Probably not even NIC, let's be honest certificates are easy to download.

Oh and obviously you'll want to get a 17th board in and investigate the faults, but if the customers would rather get him back in to sort it and don't want a new board, you could split the tails and put a little 2-way in with RCD protection on the cooker circuit you're doing.

 

[bugsy]

Replace cu large enough to accept all circuits inc. cooker and external , check NIC-EIC roll for eviedence that previous contractor was registered ,

 

[baldsparkies]

Considering the cost of whats commonly becoming known as 17th edition boards, I just cannot see the logic or reasoning behind any approved installer doing this kind of work. Yes a new board is the best way, but what a shame that your customer as had to put up with this kind of con. If they are registered, I would advise your customer to report this back to the NIC. Hopefully you will be able to restore confidence that there are tradesman still out there amongst the rogues.