EICR and RCD's. Is it a C2 or C3?

[Victor Poon]

Hi,

My EICR is a C2 because the consumer unit does NOT have RCD's.
Is it correct?
My last EICR five years ago stated RCD as recommended.
What's changed?
The flat is on the 2nd floor built in 1997!
The electrician has quoted for a NEW Consumer Unit.

Thanks

Victor

 

[magnoliafan89]

Id have said c3...unless you wanted alterations but even then you could slap in an rcbo to protect the circuit you're altering.
If it met requirements when it was installed then it's fine. Feel your electrician may be trying to swindle you, dont get me wrong having rcd or rcbo protection is great but lack of does not necessarily garuntee a failure of the installation.

 

[telectrix]

should have had RCD protection to socket circuit/s back in 1997, but stilll a C3 IMO.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Hello Victor,
It may be a C2 or a C3 depending on a number of factors.
I would however definitely recommend you have RCD protection as it is a life saver and well worth the £400 - £500 quote for the new consumer unit.
Also, the regulations change all the time. Within the last 5 years the regulations have required RCD protection for more and more situations.

 

[Risteard]

If it met requirements when it was installed then it's fine.

Not strictly true. Whether it was permissible when installed or not is completely immaterial to how safe or unsafe it is now.

 

[Victor Poon]

My issue is he has given a C2.
My seeking opinion is to confirm that the EICR should be a C3 with
a strong recommendation in fitting RCD's or RCBO.
Is the consumer unit really C2 (Potentially Dangerous)?
How many Consumer Units in the UK that have no RCD or RCBO?

 

[Deleted member 72666]

C3 all day long based on info given.

 

[Victor Poon]

The electrician has only quoted for a NEW consumer unit to remedy
the C2 rating. No other work needed.

 

[magnoliafan89]

Not strictly true. Whether it was permissible when installed or not is completely immaterial to how safe or unsafe it is now.

No you're right but we all know a lot of sparks who go in an start sucking their teeth whilst rubbing their hands telling the client something is unsafe whilst already counting the pound signs.
Ive come across a few who tell people they need to splash out on a new cu simply because its not metal.
If nothing else was wrong and it was simply a lack of rcd the electrician could have also suggested putting an rcd before the board.

 

[Andy78]

I hate it when a report says "No RCD" as a blanket assessment. It should state what specific requirements of the regulations that require RCD protection have not been met. These issues can be C2 or C3.

 

[Andy78]

No you're right but we all know a lot of sparks who go in an start sucking their teeth whilst rubbing their hands telling the client something is unsafe whilst already counting the pound signs.
Ive come across a few who tell people they need to splash out on a new cu simply because its not metal.
If nothing else was wrong and it was simply a lack of rcd the electrician could have also suggested putting an rcd before the board.

A single RCD for the installation would not be a compliant solution.

 

[Victor Poon]

I am confused sorry. To be compliant for the EICR to be satisfactory I need RCD's?

 

[Andy78]

I am confused sorry. To be compliant for the EICR to be satisfactory I need RCD's?

Nobody here knows as we have not done the inspection nor know what the issue regarding lack of RCDs actually is. There is no regulation that says "a consumer unit must incorporate RCDs", but rather a number of specific regulations that require RCDs for different applications.

You can always get a second opinion from another local electrician if you want by letting them see the report.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I really think we need to instil the virtues of RCD's when a member of the public asks a question rather than use strong terms about the electrician who has given a C2 for lack of RCD's. The electrician may well be wrong (perhaps not though, I have given C2's for lack of RCD's in certain situations) but rather than say he's trying to swindle you (which I doubt he is) which makes the customer focus on the electrician rather than the importance of the life saving RCD, we could say it may well be a C3 but would be a very, very good idea to get done.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Could I ask if you are living in the property Victor or renting it out? The reason I ask is that you have said the last EICR was 5 years ago which makes me think you are renting it out.
As a landlord I would feel much happier with my tenants having RCD protection in their house especially if there are children who may enjoy sticking knives in toasters etc etc.