Hard wired smokes with CU change?

[NellyManjaro]

Hopefully an easy one without much debate but I've just had spoke to someone who has had an electrician go to his rental property and say it needs a new CU which I'd agree, all sockets to be replaced as they don't have switches which I would personally but didn't think this was actually a requirement? But also a new circuit putting in for hard wired smoke alarms... now although I would recommend hard wired smoke alarms they aren't required following a CU upgrade are they? Re wires yes... new installations yes... id probably even push it if I was adding 1 or 2 circuits in but they have the required battery smoke alarms that the legislation for rental properties dictates that they must now have in place.

Anyone know these rules for sure? I was very confident in my response yesterday but the more I think about it the more I am doubting what I said and don't want to give him a bum steer

Thanks

 

[UNG]

No it does not, however I do believe that
a switched socket is the best option unless a switched fused spur is operating the unswitched socket

Or a 20A DP switch

Given that unswitched sockets are normally more expensive than switched sockets economics would suggest that fitting switched sockets is the best option

 

[Grant1987]

I have been in the trade for nigh on 40 years and can never recall suggesting plugging items under load into or from a socket has resulted in the socket becoming faulty, how have you verified this.

You’ve missed my point here. The socket was never faulty to start with just the fact that the user plugged the 3 pin plug under load conditions and blamed the socket for being faulty when they saw a spark and s**t themselves. Verified what exactly?

 

[Grant1987]

You’ve missed my point here. The socket was never faulty to start with just the fact that the user plugged the 3 pin plug under load conditions and blamed the socket for being faulty when they saw a spark and s**t themselves. Verified what exactly?

Regardless of your 40 years my 17 years tells me enough to never plug In appliances/ electrical equipment whilst the supply is ON position

 

[Grant1987]

Or a 20A DP switch

Given that unswitched sockets are normally more expensive than switched sockets economics would suggest that fitting switched sockets is the best option

How much of a price difference are they?

 

[westward10]

You’ve missed my point here. The socket was never faulty to start with just the fact that the user plugged the 3 pin plug under load conditions and blamed the socket for being faulty when they saw a spark and s**t themselves. Verified what exactly?

Verified that the user made it faulty by removing and inserting plugs under loads in #12. I have lost count the amount of times I've been asked to check (dodgy) sockets due to the user plugging in equipment/appliances under load conditions.................

 

[westward10]

Regardless of your 40 years my 17 years tells me enough to never plug In appliances/ electrical equipment whilst the supply is ON position

Why not, explain.

 

[Grant1987]

Why not, explain.

I’ve explained in previous posts. Read

 

[Grant1987]

Verified that the user made it faulty by removing and inserting plugs under loads in #12. I have lost count the amount of times I've been asked to check (dodgy) sockets due to the user plugging in equipment/appliances under load conditions.................

So what’s your point? Do you advise plugging in electrical equipment whilst they are in “ON” position?

 

[Grant1987]

Verified that the user made it faulty by removing and inserting plugs under loads in #12. I have lost count the amount of times I've been asked to check (dodgy) sockets due to the user plugging in equipment/appliances under load conditions.................

The socket was never faulty but the user claimed it to be faulty by it sparking whilst plugging in the hoover/steamer etc this is my point

 

[Pretty Mouth]

Unswitched sockets are, apparently, fine for on-load disconnection, according to table 537.4, note 3.

 

[Grant1987]

Unswitched sockets are, apparently, fine for on-load disconnection, according to table 537.4, note 3.

My bible is in the van however the wording there says “on load disconnection” what about “connection”?

 

[Pretty Mouth]

My bible is in the van however the wording there says “on load disconnection” what about “connection”?

It says suitable for isolation, also says suitable for functional switching, so I guess so

 

[Grant1987]

It says suitable for isolation, also says suitable for functional switching, so I guess so

Doesn’t sound clear to me.

 

[Grant1987]

Doesn’t sound clear to me.

Let’s see what westward says tomorrow. I believe I’m right in this debate do not plug in equipment whilst under load conditions and socket in on position.

 

[Grant1987]

Anyway goodnight. Speak tomorrow mate