Consumer Unit Change - EIC, MWC, ECR ?

[kentsparks]

Hi all, before its pointed out, i'm fully aware of the many posts online regarding this question, and i've seen the sticky but its someone's point of view and not what i'm looking for!

I'm trying to find an actual regulation that states that a full Electrical Installation Certificate is needed when changing a consumer unit. I've purchased Guidance Note 3 (this years edition) especailly to find this out and its not clear at all. This states that both minor works and EIC are not acceptable for a consumer unit change (or at least isnt clear enough)

Does anyone know of a regulation in the BS, guidance notes or Part P regs that clearly states what should be done? To me it makes no sense to have to test out a whole installation when you're simply changing a bunch of switches, if it needs to be done fair enough, the customer will have to pay for the time and i guess i'll lose some work over it (as i doubt everyone does this), but i just want to be sure i'm following a regulation and not someones opinion.

Thanks!

 

[Paul.M]

When you change a CU you have changed the the installation, old fuses are now MCB's. Resistance and operating times of the new mcb's have to be met. EIC regardless if it is just one circuit or a CU change. Major work has been carried out

 

[Pete999]

When you change a CU you have changed the the installation, old fuses are now MCB's. Resistance and operating times of the new mcb's have to be met. EIC regardless if it is just one circuit or a CU change. Major work has been carried out

I'm with PM

 

[SPARTYKUS]

As above. Once you understand what you are actually doing changing a fusebox, you'll realise why pre testing (an EICR) and a subsequent EIC are needed.

 

[ruston]

How many jobs jobs will you do where theoretically you will have to call the DNO for permission to remove , or get them to come out and remove the main fuse. (I do know some have isolators.)

This job is altering the general character of the installation and is not minor works.

 

[Flanders]

You should carry out an EICR before you do the board change then when you have done the board change The ECR should be quite quick and simple just double check the results against the EICR as stated you have to do an ECR after a board change . In Apendix six it states that an electrical installation certificate is used for "an addition or alteration to existing installation" page 392 of Green Book (sorry my yellow book in the van) and changing A DB is an alteration to the installation

 

[cobrauk]

Agree fully with Mt Flanders, we always carry out a EIRC before a DB change as you have no idea whats been installed correctly, once done all the work that needs to be corrected before the DB being changed needs to be agreed with the client, the times i hear of it being done the other way round and then charging the clients is wrong, and when I say Eirc i mean the full deal not just walking around and looking at it lol

 

[uksparks]

kentsparks, with all due respect, the fact that you are looking for a way out of issuing any paperwork says to me you should perhaps not be in the trade as you are "possibly" one of these ill change your fusebox and give you no paperwork etc, hit and run mess jobs.

You are suggesting and saying it makes no sense that you should test the installation... this is VERY WORRYING!!

Call it a day before you kill someone!

 

[Essex_]

You have altered every circuit and possibly changed the maximum Zs allowable by installing different fuses/MCBs.

How can you be certain the installation is safe for continued use without testing first?

 

[andyb]

Quite simply, the installation of a new consumer unit in not 'minor works'. It is a change to an existing installation and is covered in part 6 of the regs.

Also rcds & ocpds are not a 'bunch of switches' did you put that in for a wind up?

 

[Octopus]

I'd this isn't clear in the latest version of the Regs the muppets who write the Regs should be shot at dawn!

 

[Plonker 3]

Electrical work and complying with the regs isnt about doing the bare minimum to satisfy it, but also to prove and ensure the circuits are safe and good for continued use.

 

[Octopus]

Hi all, before its pointed out, i'm fully aware of the many posts online regarding this question, and i've seen the sticky but its someone's point of view and not what i'm looking for!

I'm trying to find an actual regulation that states that a full Electrical Installation Certificate is needed when changing a consumer unit. I've purchased Guidance Note 3 (this years edition) especailly to find this out and its not clear at all. This states that both minor works and EIC are not acceptable for a consumer unit change (or at least isnt clear enough)

Does anyone know of a regulation in the BS, guidance notes or Part P regs that clearly states what should be done? To me it makes no sense to have to test out a whole installation when you're simply changing a bunch of switches, if it needs to be done fair enough, the customer will have to pay for the time and i guess i'll lose some work over it (as i doubt everyone does this), but i just want to be sure i'm following a regulation and not someones opinion.

Thanks!

When changing a CU you should allow a minimum of 1 day, and this is to allow you to do the testing, certification and notification - PLUS you should warn them about possible "extras" that may come up due to faults being located during the change - if you can't articulate to your clients what is involved and why you will struggle to make a living doing this job!

 

[Des 56]

I can't see you finding much in the way of a reg to satisfy what you are seeking

Reg No 631.3 may be a arse backwards way of doing so,it states
a Minor works cert be provided for each circuit altered or extended as an alternative to using an Eic

You are altering each circuit by changing the protection,therefore you need to issue multiple Minor works certs,enough for each used way of the distribution board

8,10,or 12 minor works forms to complete should get you to consider its not a suitable form

 

[trev]

To me it makes no sense to have to test out a whole installation when you're simply changing a bunch of switches

Aye, canny mate. Don't you realise that you're changing the circuit characteristics