Consumer unit upgraded - no earth continuity question?

[Ccx295]

hi all,

I had my consumer unit upgraded by an eletrician and the test on the main socket circuit revealed their is a break somewhere on the earth wire so no continuity.

The eletrician had a quick look around and roughly located where it could be (somewhere under the floorboards between certain plugs) but decided that it would be a better option to downgrade the mcb to a 16amp instead of a 32amp and if we have any tripping issues we can separate the kitchen circuit so that reduces the load on the main circuit.
We are also lucky in that a lot of the kitchen appliances already run on a separate circuit so we may get away with the 16amp anyway.

My only issue is leaving the break, he assures me that it is safe and no real gain in finding the break and money would better spent on adding a new circuit for the kitchen if it is required.

Is this the best way to go in this situation?

Thanks

 

[telectrix]

all depends. if the break means just that the cpc is not a continuous ring but all sockets have a cpc, then it's not a huge problem. if, however, 1 or more sockets have no cpc (earth) connection, then that is dangerous and requires urgent/immediate remedy.

 

[Toneyz]

Reading your post has the electrician split the socket ring circuit in the kitchen into two seperate 16A radial circuits?

 

[telectrix]

Reading your post has the electrician split the socket ring circuit in the kitchen into two seperate 16A radial circuits?

if not, then i fail to see what benefit a 16A MCB can provide, other than increasing the max. value of Zs.

 

[Ccx295]

all depends. if the break means just that the cpc is not a continuous ring but all sockets have a cpc, then it's not a huge problem. if, however, 1 or more sockets have no cpc (earth) connection, then that is dangerous and requires urgent/immediate remedy.

I'm sure he did say all sockets are earthed although I'm not sure how he would have tested that. I'll probably give them a call tomorrow to find out all the details.

 

[Ccx295]

Reading your post has the electrician split the socket ring circuit in the kitchen into two seperate 16A radial circuits?

He hasn't actually done that yet, only if it is required. I assume he wants to wire in a new circuit into the kitchen so that can take some of the load.

We have a utility room which has its own circuit so the washing machine, fridge, clothes dryer all come of that.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

if not, then i fail to see what benefit a 16A MCB can provide, other than increasing the max. value of Zs.

Would also have to disconnect the live conductors between the sockets either side of the point where the break in the CPC has been found.

 

[Madocks]

Was the original installer a member of a scheme and did he provide paperwork?

 

[telectrix]

Would also have to disconnect the live conductors between the sockets either side of the point where the break in the CPC has been found.

then he'd have to make 2 separate radials.

 

[Pete999]

I'm sure he did say all sockets are earthed although I'm not sure how he would have tested that. I'll probably give them a call tomorrow to find out all the details.

No certificate then?

 

[Deleted member 26818]

then he'd have to make 2 separate radials.

Only if they are protected by 2 separate MCBs.
Otherwise it’s a single radial with two legs.

 

[telectrix]

yes, that's what i meant. 2 radials each on a 16A MCB.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

yes, that's what i meant. 2 radials each on a 16A MCB.

I might go with a 20A MCB, instead of 16A.

 

[Ccx295]

Was the original installer a member of a scheme and did he provide paperwork?

Yes they are a member of the NICEIC and I'am waiting on the certificates (The job was done at the end of last week so I am not worried about that)

 

[Ccx295]

No certificate then?

I am getting one (waiting on it)
Will this show all sockets are safe then?

Does the test need to be done physically on all sockets in the circuit or can it be done from the consumer unit?