Major works notification

[Chector]

Hi, I've changed a consumer unit for a customer but noticed the earth and bonding conductors were undersized at 6mm csa. Do I put this down as a departure from 7671 or not issue to cert until the problem is rectified?

Thanks

Chris

 

[GB.Kayak]

I thought you were just being polite with a hint of sarcasm.:smile5:

It did read a little 'haughty' in tone ... I was serious ... I personally have a great deal of respect for those who have 'properly' 'won their spurs' through an apprenticeship if it was worthy of that name! Or indeed those who have faithfully given advice, sharing from their great reservoir's of knowledge and skill, and reasonable derision in equal measure. What Sintra had to say was all that I said it was but until identified as part of a BS it bears the weight of faithful advice, not the weight of a code of practice.

 

[ruston]

It did read a little 'haughty' in tone ... I was serious ... I personally have a great deal of respect for those who have 'properly' 'won their spurs' through an apprenticeship if it was worthy of that name! Or indeed those who have faithfully given advice, sharing from their great reservoir's of knowledge and skill, and reasonable derision in equal measure. What Sintra had to say was all that I said it was but until identified as part of a BS it bears the weight of faithful advice, not the weight of a code of practice.

I am sure Sintra would of expected him to know that too and may of just been trying to kick start His memory.:smile5:
Nice reply by the way.

 

[richy3333]

A, thanks ... I thought that it was most likely to have been drawn from a recent edition of the BB. I fear that I have been a little lazy, not searching it out for myself. That said ... I was always taught at University to quote my sources!

I've just had this very argument with a SELECT member GB. He asked me what I'd do and I said walk away if the customer wouldn't have the earthing and bonding sorted. His attitude was you'd never get any work!

 

[uksparks]

Obviously if theres no bonding then thats a very different issue, but yes I tend to agree, I must admit, I never used to change consumer units without an isolator fitted first, but now, I just pull the main fuse.

 

[Chector]

Thank you all for your replies. They are all very helpful. I want to do a professional job and feel I have cocked up here. The responses kind of confirm that. Lesson learnt. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Chector]

just to add....If its solid green it needs replacing though.

Green and yellow. I'm going back to replace them.

 

[123]

just to add....If its solid green it needs replacing though.

Why does it?

 

[uksparks]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I was under the impression that if it was solid green you have to replace it as its not even a current colour let alone size.

 

[Chector]

Thank you all for your replies. They are all very helpful. I want to do a professional job and feel I have cocked up here. The responses kind of confirm that. Lesson learnt. Thanks for the advice.

In my defence I ran out of time to deal with this problem and took the decision to leave it as it was already in place for sometime. Instead I dealt with the un-fused spur to the garage supplying sockets and lights alternately. The lighting circuit used a 3 terminal junction box when a four terminal was required. The obvious solution was not to buy the right junction box, but to cut the earth out. So two fused spurs later and new wire laid and the garage was safe. I'll have to go back and sort out the bonding conductors.

 

[Dave OCD]

Good point, that's a bit like saying all red and black conductors must be replaced.:smile5:

 

[uksparks]

Why does it?

Regulation 514.4.5 in the BYB. Look it up.

514.4.5: The single colour green shall not be used.

 

[Dave OCD]

But isn't that talking about NEW works ?

 

[uksparks]

How i read it is that I am updating the consumer unit and ensuring the earthing is up to standard.

I dont know about you but I know what the NICEIC bloke would say if I showed him a job where I had left the green bonding in place on a CU change.

 

[uksparks]

Good point, that's a bit like saying all red and black conductors must be replaced.:smile5:

It doesn't say in the BYB that it should not be used, what it says is you need to identify the conductors, but the earthing and bonding, it specifically states green shall not be used.

 

[uksparks]

Personally I wouldn't leave a solid green conductor in place on the bonding, ok I know it may be in the back boxes etc on the CPC and the like. I don't know, but I wouldn't be too happy leaving it.