EICR and unnecessary work?

[bureaucrazy]

I need to get a PIR/EICR done. I am scared that I might be forced to pay for work to meet the 17th edition regs but is not compulsory for older installations else get rated "unsatisfactory". I called up one electrician and he said if there were no rcds I would need a new CU to pass, but from reading forums it seems that it is only C3.

The only major thing I have spotted is that the CU has all MCB's but no RCD. There are circuits for rings, lights, cooker and shower.

The shower MCB could be replaced with an RCBO.

My question is, can the house still pass (albeit with a few C3s) without replacing the CU or fitting all RCBOs?

Or is it the case that any installation not up to 17th edition could be classed as 'unsatisfactory' even if it was in accordance with the regs when it was installed?

Also, some cables may not be installed exactly to the regs e.g. a twist in a cable or not clipped every 30cm, etc. If I have an inspection done, could I be forced into getting the house rewired over minor defects such as this?

Does every accessory need to be checked inside or can just a sample be looked at?

Finally, is the result of the inspection passed on to any authority e.g. building regs or put on a database?

Thanks guys.

 

[malcolmsanford]

Right stop worrying about this and post up your location and i'm sure one of the guys off here will contact and arrange to do a honest EICR for you.

 

[Engineer54]

I take it that this is a rental property that your intending to rent out?? If so don't you think for your own piece of mind, and that of the saftey to your tenants, it would be a good idea to upgrade the CU to one that does have RCD protection??

 

[telectrix]

agree with both above posts. whilst it may no be necessary to fit RCD protection, it's not a bad thing. more importantly is to see the state of the installation, earthing/bonding etc. by having a EICR done. then take it from there.

 

[oldtimer]

First of all sounds like a rental property plus you have a mcb board and far as I am aware you are not obliged to put a RCD version in unless you have done or will do changes also it is not about getting a satisfactory and anyone testing the installation must give reasons why they have failed it ie no main earthing broken dangerous socket etc

 

[cbw]

As mentioned, no need for fuseboard change as complied at time of installation.

If your local to me I will hapily do it for you.

£25.00 per circuit average 3 bed house takes till mid afternoon to complete.

 

[telectrix]

OP's location would help.

 

[Des 56]

Please state the reason for the report
What are your priorities ?

Is it the safety of the persons using the installation ? or perhaps a satisfactory report of an unsatisfactory installation

 

[oldtimer]

OP's location would help.

I think this should be mandatory

 

[Octopus]

Please don't take this the wrong way but a number of your previous posts have been asking about doing work in a house, including a bathroom. Is this the house you are asking about for the EICR?

 

[oldtimer]

Please don't take this the wrong way but a number of your previous posts have been asking about doing work in a house, including a bathroom. Is this the house you are asking about for the EICR?

And if it is then I take it you need the EICR to cover any DIY works ?

 

[Tonkatoy27]

It depends on the age of the installation and which edition of the regs it was installed to. I think it will require RCD protection to the downstairs socket outlets if it was wired to the 16th edition as it was a requirement to provide it for all sockets likely to be used for outdoor portable appliances.

 

[Octopus]

It depends on the age of the installation and which edition of the regs it was installed to. I think it will require RCD protection to the downstairs socket outlets if it was wired to the 16th edition as it was a requirement to provide it for all sockets likely to be used for outdoor portable appliances.

Modifications to circuits in certain locations will also mean installations of RCD's are very likely to be mandatory too.

 

[Farmelectrics]

Why would the ground floor sockets require rcd protection if the install was per 2008

 

[Tonkatoy27]

Why would the ground floor sockets require rcd protection if the install was per 2008

I havn't got a BYB to hand but I was under the impression there was a reg in the 16th edition that stated 'all socket outlets likely to be used for outdoor portable equipment should be protected by 30mA RCD' or words to that effect. The interpretation that was the 'norm' by most sparkies I know was that any socket on the ground floor may be used for the lawnmower extension lead etc. Hence the split load board with sockets on RCD. I have seen the same reg 'complied' with by fitting 1x RCD socket in the garage but that always seemed a bit hit and miss to me. I could never belive that outdoor equipment required RCD protection but not showers...
I may be wrong though, I'd have to check old regs books tomorrow.