UK Cowboy electrician

[Bob Geldoff1234]

This was installed by an "electrician" 4 months ago.Single RCD feeding 5 breakers for a two bedroom,two story house.
The lady was charged £675 for this crap and was told she'd get a certificate,which no matter how much she rings them up,doesn't seem to be forth coming.I wonder why?
It really makes my blood boil when I see stuff like this and they even get away with charging over the odds for it.

 

[telectrix]

That’s absolutely criminal....

who in their right mind starts with the lowest breaker next to the main switch

years ago, it used to be the norm to put the highest rated MCB next to the main switch and scale down along the busbar. it was as pointless then as it is now. my preference is not to put heavily loaded MCBs adjacent to each other, irrespective of rating.this is so you don't end up with 2 warm breakers warning each other.

 

[Welchyboy1]

Compared to some of the stuff i see most weeks i wouldnt of even raised an eyebrow to that!

 

[ipf]

What's at the other end of the tails?

Maybe it doesn't look too bad but BG is correct....she's been fobbed off.
Who knows the state of the installation as a whole? Whoever the installer, they should know the dangers involved and do the necessary before starting.

 

[Grant1987]

But if your a fully qualified 18th edition electrician then you should know that putting a single RCD on a house is a no-no.The lady said that he didn't do any testing around the house,took no readings and obviously no certs.It makes me wonder if this was done by a 3 week wonder?

Mate on here a lot of sparks argue with me for reasons not to have an RCD let alone 2. I always state a dual rcd split load consumer all the way and trying to comply with recommended board schedule layout yet most are happy with semi enclosed 3036. Good on you for pointing out this poor install.

 

[nicebutdim]

Mate on here a lot of sparks argue with me for reasons not to have an RCD let alone 2. I always state a dual rcd split load consumer all the way and trying to comply with recommended board schedule layout yet most are happy with semi enclosed 3036. Good on you for pointing out this poor install.

Surely comparing BS3036 re-wireable fuses with a single upfront 30mA RCD is akin to comparing apples with tennis balls?

 

[Grant1987]

Surely comparing BS3036 re-wireable fuses with a single upfront 30mA RCD is akin to comparing apples with tennis balls?

Yes that’s been my point for months, years ?
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Yes that’s been my point for months, years ?

My point has always been to upgrade and the fact that this particular post has an rcd is a relief to me. Although still not up to my standards it’s nice to see it’s covered with rcd

 

[nicebutdim]

Yes that’s been my point for months, years ?

The difference being that, aside from lacking RCD protection, that old installation may be perfectly fine and will have met the regulations in place at time of installation.

The issue highlighted by the OP is a new installation that doesn't comply with current regulations.

 

[static zap]

who in their right mind starts with the lowest breaker next to the main switch

I understand this , his aim was to break "Every rule" ..Defies common sense as well !

 

[nicebutdim]

My point has always been to upgrade and the fact that this particular post has an rcd is a relief to me. Although still not up to my standards it’s nice to see it’s covered with rcd

You state a preference for dual RCD boards which obviously meet current regulations (other than TT systems I believe), but why not recommend RCBO boards given that they are now available for little additional cost? Less chance of nuisance tripping for the customer and simpler fault finding, should problems occur in the future.

 

[ipf]

Surely comparing BS3036 re-wireable fuses with a single upfront 30mA RCD is akin to comparing apples with tennis balls?

Depends on the situation and reason for comparison, but it's not particularly unusual to find such a CU fed via a 30mA ELCB or RCD.

 

[Grant1987]

The difference being that, aside from lacking RCD protection, that old installation may be perfectly fine and will have met the regulations in place at time of installation.

The issue highlighted by the OP is a new installation that doesn't comply with current regulations.

Ahh no don’t fall into that trap as all the older more experienced electricians always mention about deviations from BS7671 yes at time of the install 40 years ago!!! It was fine. You test to the current regulations and times have changed unfortunately and our standards have improved. Dont lick arse on here to impress ppl
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You state a preference for dual RCD boards which obviously meet current regulations (other than TT systems I believe), but why not recommend RCBO boards given that they are now available for little additional cost? Less chance of nuisance tripping for the customer and simpler fault finding, should problems occur in the future.

RCBO’s ??? you’re winding me up here surely do you know how much they cost?

 

[nicebutdim]

Ahh no don’t fall into that trap as all the older more experienced electricians always mention about deviations from BS7671 yes at time of the install 40 years ago!!! It was fine. You test to the current regulations and times have changed unfortunately and our standards have improved. Dont lick arse on here to impress ppl

I'm not licking anyone's arse and I'm more than happy to stand corrected on any issue.

If you were testing the installation pictured in the first post, would it not be deemed unsatisfactory as it doesn't meet the regulations in place at the time of installation - ie the current regulations.

It's all very well having strong opinions about old installations, but it's a bit odd to defend a non-compliant new installation in the process of doing so.

 

[Mark Wright]

That’s absolutely criminal....

who in their right mind starts with the lowest breaker next to the main switch

What has that got to do with anything?

 

[nicebutdim]

RCBO’s ??? you’re winding me up here surely do you know how much they cost?

About £12 nett for Fusebox Type A RCBOs.
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Depends on the situation and reason for comparison, but it's not particularly unusual to find such a CU fed via a 30mA ELCB or RCD.

Indeed.

That reminds me of yet another cowboy electrician that worked on my parent's house. Many, many years ago someone explained to them why it was necessary to fit an ELCB, so they gave them the go ahead to do so. The ELCB was duly mounted by their meter, but never connected to the supply - sat there for decades with cable knockouts intact, while they assumed everything was much safer than before.

 

[Grant1987]

I'm not licking anyone's arse and I'm more than happy to stand corrected on any issue.

If you were testing the installation pictured in the first post, would it not be deemed unsatisfactory as it doesn't meet the regulations in place at the time of installation - ie the current regulations.

It's all very well having strong opinions about old installations, but it's a bit odd to defend a non-compliant new installation in the process of doing so.

I didn’t say it was non compliant I said it was nice to see an rcd let alone 2 of them which I would prefer. This isn’t non compliant on the way I’m saying Rcd protection for lights and sockets for potential outdoor use. The other points then yes it’s not great but I’m stating I’m happy to see an rcd. Mate you seem like your fairly new to electrics don’t look for reasons to not upgrade look for reasons to improve safety
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About £12 nett for Fusebox Type A RCBOs.
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Indeed.

That reminds me of yet another cowboy electrician that worked on my parent's house. Many, many years ago someone explained to them why it was necessary to fit an ELCB, so they gave them the go ahead to do so. The ELCB was duly mounted by their meter, but never connected to the supply - sat there for decades with cable knockouts intact, while they assumed everything was much safer than before.

About £12 nett for Fusebox Type A RCBOs.
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Indeed.

That reminds me of yet another cowboy electrician that worked on my parent's house. Many, many years ago someone explained to them why it was necessary to fit an ELCB, so they gave them the go ahead to do so. The ELCB was duly mounted by their meter, but never connected to the supply - sat there for decades with cable knockouts intact, while they assumed everything was much safer than before.

£12 nett rcbos? Wtf are they mate ? most common rcbos are £30 a pop Minimal and if you were doing a consumer unit upgrade you wudn be buying rcbos
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What has that got to do with anything?

Think it has sumin to do with discrimination, I would never put the lowest sized breaker next to rcd just common practice to go down in size is that what you do?