Certificates.

[Monkeyblaine]

I am a recently qualified electrician so still fresh and there's lots they don't teach you. For example. If install some downlights in someone's house and they have a very old existing installation and they require a certificate from me. If for whatever reason the certificate does not comply in certain areas, through a dodgy existing earth or something nothing to do with what I've installed. Where do I stand on that. Obviously I've put in a new RCD board to Protect these new downlights but now they have a non compliant (failed) certificate. So then what?? Is it down


Am new to all this so any help is most appreciated.

 

[diditrain]

You should not have done any work until you were happy with the earthing and bonding as a minimum

 

[Monkeyblaine]

You should not have done any work until you were happy with the earthing and bonding as a minimum

I haven't, it was an example. If a certificate doesn't comply once you have completed uour
work but all your work was compliant. Where ddo I stand? Is it down to the client to get work done. And should I explain prior to the work that due to the age of the installation there could be problems discovere that would be at a further cost to rectify? I'm speaking hyperthetically.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

You are not expected to rectify all defects not related to work you have carried out.....but main earthing,bonding and circuit protection do affect your installation and should be rectified, or no work carried out. By not doing so you have effectively carried out and certified an installation which does not comply with Bs7671 and is potentially dangerous,you have left yourself wide open.
If you note any defects with the existing which do not affect the install you have carried out then note these in the 'comments on existing section'.....

 

[telectrix]

it's only the work that you do that you have to test and certificate. obviously, earthing and bonding have to be compliant. any problems you see that are not related to the work you do, can be covered with a comment on your cert. ( unless you are doing a EICR, in which case all the installation is covered by your cert.)

 

[brav]

it's only the work that you do that you have to test and certificate. obviously, earthing and bonding have to be compliant. any problems you see that are not related to the work you do, can be covered with a comment on your cert. ( unless you are doing a EICR, in which case all the installation is covered by your cert.)

cheers lads i didnt know tht. So if say somebody asks for a circuit to be fitted tht goes back to the consumer unit, like a new circuit for a garage or a cooker circuit, u only need to cert tht work? (earthing and bonding as well) Not the whole house?

 

[Deleted member 9648]

cheers lads i didnt know tht. So if say somebody asks for a circuit to be fitted tht goes back to the consumer unit, like a new circuit for a garage or a cooker circuit, u only need to cert tht work? (earthing and bonding as well) Not the whole house?

Only cert what you have done for an install.....otherwise you are accepting responsibility for other peoples work,an unknown quantity.Specify on the cert the EXACT extent of work you have carried out.The only time you 'cert' work you have not carried out is on an EICR.

 

[Risteard]

If a certificate doesn't comply once you have completed uour (sic) work but all your work was compliant.

Your work cannot comply if the cpc isn't adequately connected to Earth.

A certificate certifies compliance with the Wiring Regulations so cannot be issued if the work is non-compliant.

 

[Guest55]

A certificate certifies compliance with the Wiring Regulations so cannot be issued if the work is non-compliant.

Yes it can , list any non-compliances in the departures box , first page of an EIC.

 

[Richard Burns]

Yes it can , list any non-compliances in the departures box , first page of an EIC.

A departure from BS7671 is a method of installation that is not covered by BS7671 but is safer than BS7671.
A non compliance with BS7671 is not permitted (but does happen)

 

[GaryM]

120.3
Any intended departure from these Parts requires special consideration by the designer of the installation and shall be noted on the Electrical Installation Certificate specified in Part 6. The resulting degree of safety of the installation shall be not less than that obtained by compliance with the Regulations.