Changing a DB

[Christian1981]

Hi Guys,

I'm doing some work for a friend who needs me to test his house so he has a valid test cert as he is going to be renting it out. He has an 8 way hager board with no rcd protection. There is no earth down to the light switches on the installation. I've been tod I can put a split load board in (not enough space) or replace the MCB's with RCBO's. Could I fit an 8 way DB with an RCD.

Cheers.

 

[Plonker 3]

What concerns do you have that thinks they need a new DB fitting?

 

[Christian1981]

I cant fit an RCD in the board and have been told to put in RCBO's or split load board for it to comply with regs.
Cheers

 

[Andy78]

I cant fit an RCD in the board and have been told to put in RCBO's or split load board for it to comply with regs.
Cheers

Told by who ? and comply with which regs ?

 

[Plonker 3]

When was they DB that is fitted now installed?


You do know that the regs dont have to be retrospectively applied dont you?

Although if they have no CPCs at light switches and they have metal switches the will need swapping for plastic one, and depending on who you listen too either use nylon M3.5 screws or those switches which have a plastic insert to make it look like a screwless plate.

 

[Christian1981]

Been told by a tester I know he said it has to have 2 rcd's to comply with 17th

 

[Christian1981]

I dont know when it was fitted but someone added a circuit a couple of years ago and fitted an rcbo

 

[Jay Sparks]

If the tester did an EICR and all the tests were ok and the DB doesnt show signs of over heating and damage etc, then he has no right to say it NEEDS changing!!!! He can recommend you to change it....but he can not say it NEEDS changing!!!! And if someone has added an rcbo, then it cant be that old.

 

[Andy78]

Been told by a tester I know he said it has to have 2 rcd's to comply with 17th

Which tester told you that ? If it was a metrel then take it with a pinch of salt. Robin is usually worth listening to though, has some good ideas.

Seriously though, ignore this bloke. As Dillb says, the regs are not retrospective. Your report must take into account the regs at the time the install was done, and if it is safe for continued use.
And don't even entertain installing a single main RCD as that definitely does not comply with regs.

 

[Plonker 3]

While the person who told you is correct, a old DB can still get a satisfactory EICR if no RCDs or RCBOs are fitted to circuits. Only new circuits have too which in this case it has happened and they do comply.

 

[Spoon]

This post just reads wrong to me....

I'm doing some work for a friend who needs me to test his house so he has a valid test cert

So you are going to test your friends house for the purpose of issuing a test cert?
Have you done many tests before? The reason why I ask is that you should know that the board doesn't need changing if it is still 'fit for purpose'
How does this other 'tester' know that the board needs changing? Has he been to the house?

 

[DPG]

If you're asking whether it's a good idea to fit a new consumer unit with only one RCD then can I suggest you maybe shouldn't be doing the job? Daz