How far away would you make Next Inspection?

[keith42]

By that do you mean it was/is a TN-C-S system? If the impedance is out of range it should be notified to the DNO as it is their responsibility to maintain any earthing facility they supplu
Any CU change involves testing the circuits fed from it and certifying the work carried out.
I find your last sentence very worrying.

Apparently we're a long way from the transformer. Why are you worried? I called in a professional, he changed the CU, tested everything, and gave me that advice. I just wanted to understand why he only gave 6 months to the next inspection, because some tensions arose afterwards. But maybe this is why, as I half suspected, but I wanted to be sure it wasn't vindictive.

 

[keith42]

Which country do you live in? what paperwork has the spark given you? and have you paid the spark?

I'm in the UK. He's given me a Domestic Electrical Installation Certificate, and yes I've paid him.

 

[trev]

Apparently we're a long way from the transformer. Why are you worried? I called in a professional, he changed the CU, tested everything, and gave me that advice. I just wanted to understand why he only gave 6 months to the next inspection, because some tensions arose afterwards. But maybe this is why, as I half suspected, but I wanted to be sure it wasn't vindictive.

I'm worried because of your posts mate, it sounds as if someone has not done their job properly. Obviously I can only speak for myself but I'd have included bonding of the tank and installing the earth rod in the price if it was my professional opinion that they were needed. We could then have decided between ourselves whether you wanted them. Had you refused the additional work I'd have walked away.
Did he give you a certificate for the new CU?
There could be any number of reasons why he's stipulated a 6 month retest period, is there any chance you could post up a copy of the installation certificate and any EICR he carried out beforehand?

 

[Pete999]

I doubt very much that your Electrician is being vindictive, a little inexperienced maybe, but that is an assumption as I/we don't know him/her, so thats only my opinion

 

[Octopus]

I'm in the UK. He's given me a Domestic Electrical Installation Certificate, and yes I've paid him.

England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland - this is important.

 

[Octopus]

Apparently we're a long way from the transformer. Why are you worried? I called in a professional, he changed the CU, tested everything, and gave me that advice. I just wanted to understand why he only gave 6 months to the next inspection, because some tensions arose afterwards. But maybe this is why, as I half suspected, but I wanted to be sure it wasn't vindictive.

You would only give 6 months if the test results are really poor. Can you give us an indication of the insulation resistance readings? Also how long was he onsite and how much did you pay? All sounds a bit fishy to me.

 

[keith42]

I'm worried because of your posts mate, it sounds as if someone has not done their job properly. Obviously I can only speak for myself but I'd have included bonding of the tank and installing the earth rod in the price if it was my professional opinion that they were needed. We could then have decided between ourselves whether you wanted them. Had you refused the additional work I'd have walked away.
Did he give you a certificate for the new CU?
There could be any number of reasons why he's stipulated a 6 month retest period, is there any chance you could post up a copy of the installation certificate and any EICR he carried out beforehand?

I can't see a way of posting or pm-ing the certificate without revealing his name, which I don't want to do. It's kind of you to offer to take a look, let me know if there's a way.

To be fair he did flag up the earthing issues before he started, but I think he didn't want to appear like he was trying to get more work out of me.

So do you think the 6-month thing was a compromise?

 

[keith42]

England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland - this is important.

Ah, England.

 

[Octopus]

Ah, England.

A cu change falls under Part P of the building regs - have you received a notification? As you ducked my question about the time and costs I'm guessing this was a cheap job!

 

[Pete999]

Or, dare I say it a S.E.C.T or Electrical Trainee

 

[keith42]

You would only give 6 months if the test results are really poor. Can you give us an indication of the insulation resistance readings? Also how long was he onsite and how much did you pay? All sounds a bit fishy to me.

Let me try to give you the figures....
External earth fault loop impedance = 1.47 Ohm
Means of earthing section = all N/A
Schedule if Items Inspected = all ticked
Distribution board details...continuity Ohms All Circuits R1+R2: 0.46, 0.96, 1.21, 0.56, 0.71, 1.21
Insulation Resistance all N/A or 999

He was here about 2 hours, I paid £230 all in.

Is there anything else I can tell you?

 

[trev]

I fail to see how the means of earthing can be N/A
Same with IR results. If there's a circuit there he has to have a result for it.
2 hours is very quick for a CU change and a full test

 

[keith42]

A cu change falls under Part P of the building regs - have you received a notification? As you ducked my question about the time and costs I'm guessing this was a cheap job!

Hey I haven't ducked anything!! At least, not yet

No I haven't received a notification. It took me 4 chases to get the certificate, I had to get a bit assertive.

 

[Pete999]

£230:00 and 2 hours and numerous chases to get a cert and no notification, sounds like a cash in hand rip off to me, leaving the Earth Rod and Bonding, that's a bit like changing a CU without checking the gas and water earthing conductors are installed correctly.

 

[davesparks]

This sounds very fishy, one of the means of earthing boxes must be ticked, you've got an earth fault loop impedance so therefore must have an earth connection of some kind.

With an earth loop impedance of 1.47 ohm you either have an earth rod in very good condition or a electricity board supplied earth in poor condition.

Based on what you have posted here I would say your electrician has not complied with the current wiring regulations. I'd also advise you engage the services of a reputable electrician to look at your installation and advise you about it. Then go to trading standards and get something done about the original guy.