Certified ccu changes

[daiplayer]

Have been reading a whole range of threads on here regarding ccu changes and then issuing certificates. As well as working on circuits that do not or will not meet current regs.

Eg : When changing consumer units, are we certifying the whole installation or not ? , as most customers i visit, and inform them that i must fix / correct deviations as well as change consumer unit , and they have a fit , eg: re- run a three core to landing lights to correct borrowed N's.

Eg 2 : when working on single circuits that dont meet regs ( not rcd protected, ) then find out that the board comes from the dark ages and chances of RCBO'S not likely. Tell customer they need new consumer unit before i can ( for example) change their socket front . I will stand by the point that they need the board upgrade anyhow, but then 'joe bloggs pro electrics ltd' visits and deos the job for a fiver, !!!!!WTF !!!

 

[Deleted member 26818]

No when making an alteration, or addition you are not certifying the whole installation.
If you look at the notes for Certificates, you will note that Certificates are not to be used for reporting on the condition of existing installations, that PIRs or EICRs are for that purpose.
There is no requirement in BS7671 for you to rectify defects in the existing installation, unless such a defect will impinge upon the safety of the work you are carrying out.
Again on the Certificates, there is a space for you where reasonably practicable, to note any defects in the existing installation.
e.g. if you were to change a CU, and discovered that the Zs on a circuit are too high to allow the new CPD to operate, then you would have to address the matter. If however, you noted that polarity was swopped halfway along a circuit, or the IP rating of an accessory was compromised, you would not, although you would be required to make a note of the defect on your Certificate.

Only circuits of special locations require RCD protection.
If you are working on such a circuit, then you would have to provide RCD protection, or not conduct the work.
On any other circuit, as long as your work complies, that is all that is required.
e.g. if you were to install a fan in a bathroom, on the lighting circuit, you would have to provide RCD protection for all of that lighting circuit.
If however you were to extend a radial socket circuit, you would only have to ensure the new cable was provided with an acceptable method of additional protection, and that the new socket-outlet was RCD protected if required.

 

[daiplayer]

Forgive me if im wrong but need calrification , rcds must be provided by :
- Socket outlets intened for outdoor use
- Sockets outlets likely to be used for portable equipment ( what is classed as portable equipment ( all for sockets in my eyes)?)
- All circiuts in special locations
- TT systems
- Circuits in which cables are not buried more than 50MM in walls etc ( not likely )
- Outdoors

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Additional protection by use of a 30mA RCD is required for:
Socket-outlets intended for general use by ordinary persons.
A socket-outlet used for a fridge, washing machine, boiler even arguably a TV need not be RCD protected, unless it is likely to also be used for general use.
Socket-outlets used to supply mobile equipment outdoors.
The reasonably expected part was dropped with the 17th, so if an installation has a dedicated RCD socket-outlet for such equipment, could be by the back door, or even in a shed. There is no need to fail an installation because the socket-outlet behind the fridgefreezer or the one in the loft for the TV arial amplifier do not have RCD protection. Mobile equipment is lawn mowers, hedge trimmers etc. Not air conditioning units, sheds or even pond pumps.
All circuits of locations containing baths or showers.

Cables (not circuits) that are concealled in walls must have a method of additional protection.
This can be an earthed metallic sheat, earthed conduit or trunking, some form of mechanical protection sufficient to prevent penetration by nails or screws, be at a depth greater than 50mm or be in prescribed zones and protected by a 30mA RCD.
TT installations, do not necessarilly require RCD protection, other than in the instances detailed above. Although it is usuall to provide 100mA RCD protection (time delayed) at the origin of the installation, however if the resistance of the earth electrode is low and reliable enough, this can be ommited.
In some special locations socket-outlet circuits require 30mA RCD protection, but other circuits do not.

 

[Octopus]

Eg 2 : when working on single circuits that dont meet regs ( not rcd protected, ) then find out that the board comes from the dark ages and chances of RCBO'S not likely. Tell customer they need new consumer unit before i can ( for example) change their socket front . I will stand by the point that they need the board upgrade anyhow, but then 'joe bloggs pro electrics ltd' visits and deos the job for a fiver, !!!!!WTF !!!

If you're changing a socket "front" and that's all you are simply doing maintenance and thus RCD protection, IMHO is irrelevent.

That said a MWC confirming the change noting the EFLI is recommended plus on the commects section you can recommend improvements.