Help and advice needed

vickery1971 · Jan 17, 2012

Hello,
I am after some advice about my next Elecsa Part P assessment (im fairly new here so please be gentle with me)

The question is about showing design, plans and calculations for some of the jobs ive done, basically most of my work has been consumer unit changes, so I wont need to show a lot of planning but two of my jobs have been new circuits (4 in one property and 6 in another) . . .i am getting conflicting information when I ask friends (with both NECIEC, Elecsa & Napit) some say I just have to do a basic cable calc showing demand current including diversity (which I had already done on a spreadsheet stating that the demand was below the capacity of the cable and showing that I had chosen the appropriate breaker)
And one ‘friend’ said I have to do volt drop, including correction.

So please can anyone (without ripping me apart for being a novice) point me in the best way to show my design, or if you don’t think I need to show it let me know so im not up until midnight for the next few nights panicing.

Thanks in advance for any help and advice.

Ian

simplespark · Jan 17, 2012

The Assessor will want to see that you are able to apply the correct design criteria in terms of current carrying capacity/volt drop of circuit cables and maximum demand. For example where you have added circuits, consideration needs to be given to the effect of the new/added circuits on existing loading of both DNO and consumers equipment. This is typically what my NICEIC bloke asks about anyway; I suspect the Elecsa chaps are the same.

Dave 85 · Jan 17, 2012

I've had 3 Elecsa assessments mate, all with the same bloke, although last time one of the top dog assessors came along for the ride. They have never asked me to show or demonstrate any calculations/ planning. Its Part P after all, you're not being asked to prove that you can design a factory. They only ever ask me basic things like what size main earth, bonding, tails I use, what max RCD trip times are, max Ze for various breakers etc. As long as you're filling out certificates properly that shows you must have a reasonable idea what you're doing.

Remember, they're only after you for you're money so don't worry too much.