Consumer Unit change???how far do you go with testing??????

[mgnelec09]

They said you can record your results but not essential.
The guy said the importan thing is to make sure the parts that you have installed are safe and correct, also making sure that the earthhing protection is in place for gas, water, main earth is correct size.
The reason for carrying out the dead tests is to determine any potential faults that may cause a danger or affect the rcd.

 

[mark80]

The 'technical advisor' didnt answer the phone saying 'howdy partner' did he? as it seems to me the NIC are the cowboys, advising stuff like that............. agree with you telectrix, crazy!

 

[mgnelec09]

Come to think of it he did say his name was John Wayne!!!!?

 

[egginyourface]

I test IR and r1+r2 at random points on every circuit about 25%. If I find no continuity of circuits i Note it down on cert and that it need further investigation. (reccomend full periodic inspection). I leave it up to the house holder to decide.

example is a short time ago i was called out to a house on a Sunday night where existing board had melted due to bad connection on mains switch. I got there and said i will change the board and issue cert for this only. went back the nex day and did a test on sockets and lights, found all the earths had been cut on the lights. made a note of this. explained the danger to the house holder and he said he was having trouble paying his mortgage and couldnt afford to pay me to to do a full pir and repair.

what would you do in this situation??

 

[telectrix]

treat it as a noc cpc on lighting and label CU. note on your EIC as well. be a bit drastic to leave him with no lights, but you, as the spark on site, are the only one to make the call depending on the danger level.

 

[egginyourface]

I dont know any people that are ready to pay to do a full pir, then pay for a board upgrade then a new install cert at the end.

Like you say telectrix as the sparks on site its your call.

 

[telectrix]

if he has metal lights/switch plates, i'd do a dangerous installation notice.

 

[egginyourface]

All light switches were white plastic, light fittings on the other hand were metal, fancy chanderleers to. I think i need me some of these dangerous installation sheets

 

[nickblake]

That sounds abit odd to me you dont have to note the readings im sorry its notifiable work so that falls under section 6 of the building regulations Quote a section of 6.1.1 of the guide to building regs Competent persons are required to provide a self certification certificate to the occupier and a notice to that effect ,Part P requires that electrical installations to be inspected and tested as nessesary during and on completion of the work and before they are handed over or put into service ,so how can you only test the board ,and do R1 and R2 and insulation prior to changing it im sorry i dont care what the NIC say but i will do it as ive always done that is a full test , basic tests before i change the board and a full test after , at the end of the day its my name on the cert , oh and how can you give the customer a copy of it as required under Part P if you dont fill one out

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Ok All?

I have spoke to the NICEIC technical advisors today regarding the CU testing scenario.

This is what they state.

R1+R2 tests to be carried out on all existing circuits along with insulation resistance to verify whether the existing circuits are in a safe condition to be re-energised in a new consumer unit.

However, these tests are for just for verification with no need to carry out full testing and certification on the existing circuits.

The only part of the installation to be fully tested and certified is the Consumer unit itself after the installer is satisfied that all outgoing circuits are safe to energise.

This may or may not help you guys!

Not registered with the NIC and they do NOT make the rules. They like making their own up. The IET write the regs.

Answers already been posted. You should budget to test everything or you're cutting corners....... I do loads that involve a full PIR. I don't charge the earth and sleep well at night. If you leave a house that needed a board change because it was melting (done several) how could you not test everything?

 

[egginyourface]

I tested ring circuits,r1 + r2 at all points,,,IR readings were good.... I tested Lighting points and earth was missing so noted on the cert. Ze & Zs, boinding etc..

what else am i supposed to do start ripping the place apart lifting floor boards.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

egginyourface

maybe misread what you've posted, sounds pretty comprehensive. Got two kids underm y feet so only seconds to read

 

[nikmet]

how long on average do you spend on pir, including certification, and how much? i am interested in how much the customers are willing to pay before you start work on the consumer unit replacement? thx

 

[egginyourface]

how long is a piece of string

 

[SPARTYKUS]

nikmet

how much do you charge a day? Lets say £195.

How much is a dual RCD board, a few stickers, on line notification, EIC, 10 miles of diesel and maybe an MET and a few meters of 10mm2. A ton? So thats.... £295

Make sure its clear that any faults found are extra to be rectified (and get a signed contract).

2 bed semi. a LONG day. I could PIR everything (and I mean everything, every socket off, every light, wander lead to every metal point required, every switch, ......everything) and then change the board and polish it at the end in 10 hours.

In example above I would perhaps charge another £100.

SO

thats nearly £400 for a days work with (at a stretch) a £100 of materials (including diesel and all the notification etc).

Not a bad day really walking with £300 net (or thereabouts). I know people that struggle to earn that a week.

And alot of sparkies think thats cheap