Electrical Safety Solutions for a Property Without CPCs

[LmarshallSparks]

Hello All,

I have a slightly different question today, I have a customer who has multiple lights without CPCs terminated, the cables completely lack a CPC, however in some rooms they have a CPC and in other rooms they do not, so yes a CPC leaves the board, but does not run to all light fixtures and switches! Most of the class 1 equipment has a CPC, however the class 2 equipment rarely does!

The customer has the entire house wall papered in a beautiful finish with a discounted wall paper! Simply put they do not want a rewire at all!

I would like to suggest that we replace all the switch’s for modern versions with the white rubber caps covering the screw heads - Regulation 410.3.9 (iii) - To my knowledge this regulation states that the screws are small enough not to require earthing however the caps would offer increased protection!

I also believe that class 2 ceiling roses do not require an earth? Regulation 411.3.1.1

I would like to find a solution that avoids a rewire as the house is currently protected by 100mA RCD, I want to fit a new board with 30mA protection! But I obviously can’t fit a safer board if the circuits are not safe!

 

[westward10]

You can't use Class II as a means of protection in a dwelling, don't make it your problem by putting in place "safety measures".

 

[DefyG]

30mA RCD (or preferably RCBO's) would still provide 'Additional Protection' irrespective of the state of the wiring.
The NICEIC provide labels for that very scenario - ie no cpc's
You can only test to what is there and cant insist on a rewire. Obviously if a circuit is seen/proved to be that dangerous you would not reconnect it.
Reg 412 might be more relevant for the whole or part of the installation!

 

[LmarshallSparks]

You can't use Class II as a means of protection in a dwelling, don't make it your problem by putting in place "safety measures".

Could I still improve the safety via a new consumer unit? Or walk away and highly highly advise a rewire?

 

[PS Electrics]

I would like to find a solution that avoids a rewire as the house is currently protected by 100mA RCD, I want to fit a new board with 30mA protection! But I obviously can’t fit a safer board if the circuits are not safe!

This may help.

https://www.electriciansforums.net/attachments/best-practice-guide-1-issue-3-pdf.119881/

This is one of those real world meets regs situations. Strict compliance with BS7671 would require a rewire or additional cpc if altering or adding to circuits.

But note even the guidance above strongly recommends that circuits should not be reconnected unless a cpc is provided.

As DefyG said there is guidance and labels available for this very scenario but you are also taking on some element of risk you wouldn't have if the circuits were rewired. ie having to make a risk assessment for instance.

If you do proceed then I would certainly note down the extra testing performed on the test certificate if Class 1 fittings remain in situ.

 

[westward10]

I would not be fitting a new consumer unit and making me part of the problem, don't become part of the chain. Putting notices on the consumer unit is as much use as a chocolate tea pot, notices which are not suggested in BS7671.

 

[LmarshallSparks]

I would not be fitting a new consumer unit and making me part of the problem, don't become part of the chain.

Okay, I’ll complete my EICR and advise a rewire but carry out no work! Thanks for your time!

 

[Pretty Mouth]

Best practice guide 1 is now on issue 5. It is backed by pretty much all the major industry bodies, including the IET (see page 2 of the document). When faced with this common situation, I follow the guidance in section 8.

https://tinyurl.com/BPG1-issue5

I struggle to see how refusing to update the installation to include additional protection by 30mA RCD is of benefit to anyone.

 

[PS Electrics]

Best practice guide 1 is now on issue 5. It is backed by pretty much all the major industry bodies, including the IET (see page 2 of the document). When faced with this common situation, I follow the guidance in section 8.

https://tinyurl.com/BPG1-issue5

I struggle to see how refusing to update the installation to include additional protection by 30mA RCD is of benefit to anyone.

Thanks for posting this, I should have checked for a later issue.