Consumer Unit Change

[Nickj]

Hi All,

I am tomorrow going to be changing a consumer unit ahead of my Elecsa assessment next week.

Just wanted to check that I'm not missing anything with regards to amendment 3.

I'm going to be using a BG consumer unit supplied with RCBOs.

It has a cut out at back for cable entry and so I am going to pass all cables through that using a grommet strip around the metal edges. Do I need to seal the entry hole? I believe not however I have heard arguments that it needs to be sealed. Passing all cables through the rear entry may require de-rating cables due to grouping however the cables enter the current board (3036's) through the rear. Can i therefore assume ratings are fine?

I am going to attach the consumer unit to the wall using dewalt wall dogs which require no anchor in wall meaning I don't have to worry about plastic wall plugs falling out in the event of a fire.


If the cables are too short (I sincerely hope they won't be) I'll use an adaptable box above the board to mount a din rail to extend wiring. Does this adaptable box need to be non-combustible too? (associated switch gear covers this possibly?)

Thanks in advance

Nick

 

[TheCodboy]

Hi thecodboy,

Firstly good luck with your assessment! Stressful times.

There is no requirement to test the circuits before you change the board. I absolutely always do but only to find problems before the board change and be properly prepared.

You will be testing all circuits before connecting them to new board and as long as the results are satisfactory then you have all the information needed for the eic.

If you did a pre board change eicr I see no reason not to show and discuss wth assessor however the information will be duplicated in the eic.

Nick

I've been hearing some tales from forum posts here and on others, That Stroma say you must complete an EICR before changing a board. Now I have the relevant Initial Verification qual but no Eicr quals. Im not looking to carry out Periodics at the moment as most of the work i will be doing is mostly Minor works or CU changes, altering rings etc. The way i've always looked at it was, that as long as you test the circuits before you change the CU and energise then thats fine. If the results all comply of course!!

 

[Midwest]

There is a thread on this EICR before EIC debacle, allegedly implied by Stroma, can't be arsed to find it!

No it's not required, otherwise the customer will be paying another £200 (or whatever), before paying for their CU change.

 

[TheCodboy]

There is a thread on this EICR before EIC debacle, allegedly implied by Stroma, can't be arsed to find it!

No it's not required, otherwise the customer will be paying another £200 (or whatever), before paying for their CU change.

So just to be clear, as i thought, Initial verification is more than adequate with relevant test sheets. I've seen quite a few different discussions about this and some people say yes it does and just as many say no!!!

 

[Des 56]

So just to be clear, as i thought, Initial verification is more than adequate with relevant test sheets. I've seen quite a few different discussions about this and some people say yes it does and just as many say no!!!

No it's not required, otherwise the customer will be paying another £200 (or whatever), before paying for their CU change.

There,I made the correct answer a little larger in case the message got lost in transit

 

[Octopus]

No it's not required, otherwise the customer will be paying another £200 (or whatever), before paying for their CU change.

There,I made the correct answer a little larger in case the message got lost in transit

I HAVE to disagree ... there are premises where I insist on doing an EICR before I contemplate doing any work, let alone a CU change!

 

[TheCodboy]

No it's not required, otherwise the customer will be paying another £200 (or whatever), before paying for their CU change.

There,I made the correct answer a little larger in case the message got lost in transit

Im going to get this reply tattoo'd on my arm to show the Stroma guy

 

[Octopus]

Im going to get this reply tattoo'd on my arm to show the Stroma guy

Best you read post # 170 before you book to get your tatoo.

 

[TheCodboy]

I HAVE to disagree ... there are premises where I insist on doing an EICR before I contemplate doing any work, let alone a CU change!

A full EICR?? Surely

Best you read post # 170 before you book to get your tatoo.

To late, got the stencil done now....

 

[Des 56]

I HAVE to disagree ... there are premises where I insist on doing an EICR before I contemplate doing any work, let alone a CU change!

What your personal procedure for doing any work is entirely your choice
"Required" is a word that demands an action and in the case of installing a consumer unit it does not apply

 

[Midwest]

A monstrous mansion aka Trump Towers (bit of an execration), Mrs Miggins 3 bed semi, no way hosay

 

[Octopus]

What your personal procedure for doing any work is entirely your choice
"Required" is a word that demands an action and in the case of installing a consumer unit it does not apply

Agree - "required" its not but in certain situations definitely a good idea.

Its down to judgement - I started a full EICR once and after 2 circuits I stopped and told the client he needed a rewire...

 

[Des 56]

Agree - "required" its not but in certain situations definitely a good idea.

Its down to judgement - I started a full EICR once and after 2 circuits I stopped and told the client he needed a rewire...

I 100% agree with you, I have been known to do a DesEicr on many occasions

 

[TheCodboy]

So am I getting this tattoo or not......

 

[Nickj]

The tattoo sounds like a great idea.

It's not required, all that is required is that you change the consumer unit in accordance with bs7671 and that any and all circuits you connect to the new consumer unit test satisfactorily.

In the real world you'd be foolish to change a board without doing an eicr (or at least some testing) as the customer will never agree to a load of extra work half way through a change and you'll be stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Do the eicr to satisfy yourself that the change will be a smooth one but it is not required as par the course.

 

[TheCodboy]

The tattoo sounds like a great idea.

It's not required, all that is required is that you change the consumer unit in accordance with bs7671 and that any and all circuits you connect to the new consumer unit test satisfactorily.

In the real world you'd be foolish to change a board without doing an eicr (or at least some testing) as the customer will never agree to a load of extra work half way through a change and you'll be stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Do the eicr to satisfy yourself that the change will be a smooth one but it is not required as par the course.

Test before hand yes, Ze,DB Zs, Circuit Zs's, IR,visual check etc, but not taking switches off and checking for marked switches etc. Obviously if anything looks dodgy it needs to be addressed, smashed sockets that sort of thing.