Best first step to remedy bypassed domestic RCD box?

[Jay21]

Moved into 60's semi and had work done to renew kitchen, including new induction hob, cooker etc.
3 qualified electricians came to quote and each mentioned that someone had bypassed one of the RCDs (?) in the main box (Branded GET/Schupa), so that circuits to the right of the attached photo are not protected. (marked by yellow arrow)
All wanted to do full PAT and replace box before actually attaching new applicances, which may be fair enough.
But what I don't get is why nobody as yet has suggested simply reinstating the bypassed circuit - and seeing if it trips now that the old appliances (including an old Belling cooker) have been replaced by new ones.
That way I might be able to continue with existing box temporarily (as funds are limited due to having had to do various other works in house).
Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[Jay21]

Thanks for that Shaun, very clear. Every spark who I've had so far has just made out that the first step is a £300 test, plus likely £200 CU... and no doubt one or two would find it necessary to rewire the house if not demolish it altogether and do a new build!
A shame, these qualified but greedy types are making it harder for the decent sparks out there. Neighbours of mine who sensibly thought about a rewire before doing extensive redecorations and plastering gave up after receiving 4 over-the-top quotes and just went ahead with the decorating instead.
The trick seems to be working your way through the chancers to get to the guys out to just make an honest living. Very time consuming if you have to take time off for a quote visit each time, but the information I've got so far from some of you guys on the forum has really helped.
Incidentally, at one point I did just give up and OK a £300 test - after me hauling the kitchen carcasses out into the living room the CICEIC firm (a Which? 'Trusted Trader') then failed to turn up at the allotted time, and eventually a junior at the firm arrived saying that "the Boss and his son had to go to a [no doubt more lucrative] emergency in the night" so he'd come in the meantime. When I asked when the others would be turning up he looked embarrassed and shrugged his shoulders, so I gently turned him round and told him that I wasn't in the habit of paying good money to unreliable companies. (Assuming I might go on to post negative comments on his various shiny social media accounts, the Boss phoned the next day to make out that he hadn't been able to come due to his son 'being ill' - he clearly hadn't realised that the junior had let slip the real reason).

 

[Jay21]

Where do you get £300 from? Basic tests of the circuits and the RCD won't take long.
I'm not suggesting a full EICR with associated paperwork etc, just basic tests to establish the state of play.

See earlier posts - from now 4 local (3 NICEIC, 1 not) sparks. None mentioned Shaun's sort of first step solution but am now glad to be aware of this.

 

[telectrix]

think i stated in an earlier post that manchester is within my area of operations and could certainly come over to give an honest appraisal and maybe fix the problem for a lot less than £300

 

[DPG]

A shame, these qualified but greedy types are making it harder for the decent sparks out there. Neighbours of mine who sensibly thought about a rewire before doing extensive redecorations and plastering gave up after receiving 4 over-the-top quotes and just went ahead with the decorating instead..

If all 4 quotes were of the similar 'over the top' amount, then they probably weren't over-the-top!

 

[Jjc]

Yeah, a lot on today. Just wondering why nobody seems to be able to answer the original question i.e. if the RCD has been bypassed, why not connect it up again and test that circuit?? - given the old cooker which might have been the reason for the bypassing (by previous electrician) has now been replaced.
If that solves, a lot less than £500...

Well you seem to know best so why ask advice from qualified people?

 

[Norah Nabino]

Moved into 60's semi

Moved into 60's semi and had work done to renew kitchen, including new induction hob, cooker etc.
3 qualified electricians came to quote and each mentioned that someone had bypassed one of the RCDs (?) in the main box (Branded GET/Schupa), so that circuits to the right of the attached photo are not protected. (marked by yellow arrow)
All wanted to do full PAT and replace box before actually attaching new applicances, which may be fair enough.
But what I don't get is why nobody as yet has suggested simply reinstating the bypassed circuit - and seeing if it trips now that the old appliances (including an old Belling cooker) have been replaced by new ones.
That way I might be able to continue with existing box temporarily (as funds are limited due to having had to do various other works in house).View attachment 47864
Any thoughts? Thanks.

First of all the CU does not seem to conform to BS7671 2015 ammendment as it requires you to have metal one.
I think that is why they want to change it.
After which the will do a full test
and issue a new EIC.
and had work done to renew kitchen, including new induction hob, cooker etc.
3 qualified electricians came to quote and each mentioned that someone had bypassed one of the RCDs (?) in the main box (Branded GET/Schupa), so that circuits to the right of the attached photo are not protected. (marked by yellow arrow)
All wanted to do full PAT and replace box before actually attaching new applicances, which may be fair enough.
But what I don't get is why nobody as yet has suggested simply reinstating the bypassed circuit - and seeing if it trips now that the old appliances (including an old Belling cooker) have been replaced by new ones.
That way I might be able to continue with existing box temporarily (as funds are limited due to having had to do various other works in house).View attachment 47864
Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[Jay21]

Well you seem to know best so why ask advice from qualified people?

There are two types of people who respond to internet forum posts - those who actually want to help, and those who just want to carp or show how witty they think they are.
If you take the time to read the full thread, you'll see that the question I asked was whether a £300 test (and seemingly an automatic replacement of the CU at £200 +) was the only first remedial step possible. A couple of forum users have helpfully pointed out that in fact other options are indeed available, and I shall take their constructive advice.

 

[telectrix]

There are two types of people who respond to internet forum posts - those who actually want to help, and those who just want to carp or show how witty they think they are.
If you take the time to read the full thread, you'll see that the question I asked was whether a £300 test (and seemingly an automatic replacement of the CU at £200 +) was the only first remedial step possible. A couple of forum users have helpfully pointed out that in fact other options are indeed available, and I shall take their constructive advice.

it's a forum.youwill,get various replies, some constructive, some not, some funny, some not.this is what separates us from sheep. we don't all follow the herd (or is it fluck for sheep).