EICR and subsequent remedial work

[leep82]

Ive got an EICR to do this week, and ive mentioned previously how this is somthing i wish to do more off and i feel hands on experience is the best way to learn.

The property has only 4 circuits. 1 x ring, 1 x lighting, 1 x heating and 1 x cooker. I was originally asked to go and have a quick look by the customer as they had recently moved into the house and they were a little concerned by a few things.

A full kitchen refurb is planned in the next few weeks and with this in mind aswell as the issues raised by the customer i suggested the best course of action would be to carry out an EICR. This was agreed and i was also asked if i would be able to carry out the proposed kitchen refurb.

Now when i went to visit the property a couple of things caught my eye that i know will deem the installation unsatisfactory in terms of the report. One being the 45a cooker switch supplied in 6mm2 T&E and protected by a 32a MCB, which isolates the cooker, microwave and dishwasher all supplied in 2.5mm2 T&E from the cooker switch. When the refurb goes ahead this will all be corrected but my observations will be made on the installation at the time of the inspection. And so an unsatisfactory report given.

The plan is to use the existing 6mm feed to supply the induction hob ( which currently sits disconnected in the work top ). When i test the circuit can i use the results from the unsatisfactory report to issue a new satisfactory report once any remedial work is done. Or do i need to retest? This also goes for any other issues i may find.

A minor works certificate will be issued for the kitchen refurb once completed, and im left wondering if im creating myself extra needless paper work. If the issue ive mentioned turns out to be the only thing preventing a satisfactory report would it be better to just isolate/remove from circuit, as i know i am going in to do the refurb work anyway?

Thanks

 

[Pete999]

Absolutely agree but there are no more spare ways in the consumer unit, where an RCD is acting as the main switch. Its far from ideal but does it actually warrant any form of code as far as the EICR is concerned? I dont want to scare the customer off recommending this that and the other at a great expense. Part of the reason i suggested the EICR. At least then the customer hopefully has more of an understanding of their installation.

Change the Consumers Unit to provide more ways for new circuits then. Scare the customer? your job will be to provide the safest installation possible, not a botch just because the CU isn't big enough.

 

[Midwest]

By the time they spent money on an EICR, they'd have a CU installed.

 

[Pete999]

Absolutely agree but there are no more spare ways in the consumer unit, where an RCD is acting as the main switch. Its far from ideal but does it actually warrant any form of code as far as the EICR is concerned? I dont want to scare the customer off recommending this that and the other at a great expense. Part of the reason i suggested the EICR. At least then the customer hopefully has more of an understanding of their installation.

Change the Consumers Unit to provide more ways for new circuits then. Scare the customer? your job will be to provide the safest installation possible, not a botch just because the CU isn't big enough.

 

[Octopus]

Absolutely agree but there are no more spare ways in the consumer unit, where an RCD is acting as the main switch. Its far from ideal but does it actually warrant any form of code as far as the EICR is concerned? I dont want to scare the customer off recommending this that and the other at a great expense. Part of the reason i suggested the EICR. At least then the customer hopefully has more of an understanding of their installation.

No code.

You need to get used to delivering information that people don't always want to hear.

Its only 4 circuits so I would be talking to the client about changing to a RCBO board ....

 

[Midwest]

If it were my job, I would persude them to have a new RCBO CU, new radial or RFC for kitchen, and new lighting circuit for kitchen as well.

Then they have RFC for rest of house, and two lighting circuits. Just my opinion.

Edit beaten to it by the RCBO champion!

 

[Midwest]

PS make sure there's a bit of scope in spare ways for the new CU. Just in case those cheeky chaps at the IET have their way with AFDD's

 

[Pete999]

No code.

You need to get used to delivering information that people don't always want to hear.

Its only 4 circuits so I would be talking to the client about changing to a RCBO board ....

And wiring some circuits for sockets cabinet lighting etc, it will be on your head if you continue trying to jury rig the existing, bite the bullet and tell them what they need to know, not what they don't want to hear.

 

[leep82]

Change the Consumers Unit to provide more ways for new circuits then. Scare the customer? your job will be to provide the safest installation possible, not a botch just because the CU isn't big enough.

Botch?

By the time they spent money on an EICR, they'd have a CU installed.[/QUOTE

If it were my job, I would persude them to have a new RCBO CU, new radial or RFC for kitchen, and new lighting circuit for kitchen as well.

Then they have RFC for rest of house, and two lighting circuits. Just my opinion.

Its all ideal world stuff though. I agree with everything, apart from the botch comment which was made, but ultimately if after ive done the EICR and made recommendations such as a new consumer unit or wiring a new ring and the customer doesnt want to go ahead with such work what do i do? Surely not walk away from a job where i can still comply to current regs.?

 

[leep82]

By the time they spent money on an EICR, they'd have a CU installed.

Really? How much do you charge respectively for such work?

 

[Midwest]

Really? How much do you charge respectively for such work?

As I said, I don't do EICR's, but I've seen suggestions of around £200 for such like (EICR's)

It's your job & client, so only you know the booby more with that. Just suggesting a alternative viewpoint.

 

[Pete999]

Botch?


Its all ideal world stuff though. I agree with everything, apart from the botch comment which was made, but ultimately if after ive done the EICR and made recommendations such as a new consumer unit or wiring a new ring and the customer doesnt want to go ahead with such work what do i do? Surely not walk away from a job where i can still comply to current regs.?

OK I'll rephrase, what you are intending to do is hardly ideal for a major refurbishment, ask yourself how you would integrate the existing socket circuit in to the existing RFC, when a new kitchen ring or Radial would be more appropriate, perhaps "botch" was a bit harsh, "inapropriate
instalation" would fit the bill better.

 

[123]

How far away from the kitchen is the existing consumer unit? Is the earthing and bonding up to scratch?

 

[leep82]

I ap

As I said, I don't do EICR's, but I've seen suggestions of around £200 for such like (EICR's)

It's your job & client, so only you know the booby more with that. Just suggesting a alternative viewpoint.

I appreciate that dont get me wrong. As stated i agree with everything thats being said but as electricians weve all come across situations where doing the ideal job isnt always practical for a number of reasons. So what then?

 

[leep82]

How far away from the kitchen is the existing consumer unit? Is the earthing and bonding up to scratch?

It appears to be present, did a quick visual check and will check continuity properly when the EICR is carried out.

 

[Midwest]

I ap

I appreciate that dont get me wrong. As stated i agree with everything thats being said but as electricians weve all come across situations where doing the ideal job isnt always practical for a number of reasons. So what then?

Of course not, and my 1989 house was built with just one RFC. Is there any scope with your client, to revisit this? If not, you'll have to proceed as is, but in your OP it sounds if they want things done 'properly' ?