new cu changes 1st jan/16

[scootknew]

can someone please clarify this for me im at my wits end,

there are currently no plastic fuse boxes that are non cumbustible for sale from wholesales?

if fit a plastic cu, need to box it in with plaster board ect?

if i wire in new circuit from a new plastic cu to say a socket in hallway, i cant issue minor works cert? then its a fail? then say the client who wanted a £50 socket wired to hall needs to pay 100's to ge cu changed to metal? or enclose it? whos responsibility is it to enclose it? a joniner or builder? they will prob change a **** load too?

any info much appreacited

 

[telectrix]

********* **** !

 

[davesparks]

jesus, ive been trawling to get an answer for this for hours and not come to any conclusion, some ppl say yes, plastic cu its a c3 code....no its a c2.... or if its under the stairs. can someone please just tell me straight no fancy dancy bull**** or queer answers. just a normal sentence will suffice. in the morning im going to call nic eic to get to the bottom of this total nonsense

An insulated CU does not warrant any code at all if you are strictly following bs7671 amd3.

The self titled elctrical safety council have suggested in their guide that if it is located under a staircase or in an escape route then it could be given a C3. But this is not the regulation and not (as far as I know) in any way supported or affiliated with the IET.

The niceic make up their own bull**** as they go along so you cannot trust their word on these things, they do not support electricians in the way they did years ago.

 

[Dcf]

My van has potentially flammable diesel in it a the moment.
does that mean it will fail an mot?
no it doesn't .
as previous posts download the most recent guidance on inspections and read it thoroughly.
electrical inspections in Scotland are the same as England with a few add ons.
pat test any appliances ,check the heating and cookers and the smoke detectors .
although you will probably be doing the smokes at the same time , usually an optical in the lounge ,heat detector in kitchen and an ionisation/ optical in the hall depending if there is a bathroom close by.
a plastic board is a c3 compared to the current regs.
bearing in mind some of these flats can have the install from 40 years ago still in place and still be serviceable with little to no faults , a c2 for a plastic board is a a tad excessive.
also remember to use common sense when inspecting as there was electricity long before the 17 th edition am3 came about.
by that I mean having a working knowledge of what went on under previous sets of regs would be an advantage in helping suss out what needs sorting and what doesn't.

 

[davesparks]

:6: ok , so plastic cu code 3, got it. and dont need changed to metal

No, no code unless there is some sort of abnormal circumstance

 

[davesparks]

a plastic board is a c3 compared to the current regs.

Which regulation would support this? As far as I recall the reg about non combustible CUs states that it does not mean that CUs installed before 01/01/16 are unsafe/require upgrading etc.

 

[scootknew]

If you are completing an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) from 1[SUP]st[/SUP] January 2016 and the plastic consumer unit is not underneath a staircase or not within the only route of escape and the connections inside the consumer unit are satisfactory, then it doesn’t need to be commented on. However, if plastic consumer units are underneath a wooden staircase or within the only route of escape from the property, then it needs to be noted on the report.Make sure that you are installing to the new 17th Edition Amendment 3 and that any consumer units which are installed from 1[SUP]st[/SUP] January 2016 anywhere in a domestic dwelling are manufactured from a non-combustible material (like steel), in order to comply with the current Wiring Regulations.

 

[scootknew]

421.1.201 Within domestic (household) premises, consumer units and similar switchgear assemblies shall comply with BS EN 61439-3 and shall:

1. have their enclosure manufactured from non-combustible material, or
2. be enclosed in a cabinet or enclosure constructed of non-combustible material and complying with Regulation 132.12.

 

[davesparks]

Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the inspector to determine the Codes he/ she wishes to apply. Your Scheme will give general advice. Like you, I have seen suggested the plastic CUs under timber staircases, where the staircase is the only means of escape, may be considered for a Code 2, but like I said, the decision rests with the inspector

The regulations make no mention of staircases or escape routes with regards this topic

 

[Octopus]

421.1.201 Within domestic (household) premises, consumer units and similar switchgear assemblies shall comply with BS EN 61439-3 and shall:

1. have their enclosure manufactured from non-combustible material, or
2. be enclosed in a cabinet or enclosure constructed of non-combustible material and complying with Regulation 132.12.

And your point is?

if you take that stance you will fail nearly ALL the properties you inspect. This is not correct.

 

[telectrix]

421.1.201 Within domestic (household) premises, consumer units and similar switchgear assemblies shall comply with BS EN 61439-3 and shall:

1. have their enclosure manufactured from non-combustible material, or
2. be enclosed in a cabinet or enclosure constructed of non-combustible material and complying with Regulation 132.12.

which only applies to the installation of a new CU, installed from 01/01/2016.

 

[slingshot2000]

421.1.201 Within domestic (household) premises, consumer units and similar switchgear assemblies shall comply with BS EN 61439-3 and shall:

1. have their enclosure manufactured from non-combustible material, or
2. be enclosed in a cabinet or enclosure constructed of non-combustible material and complying with Regulation 132.12.

But this is for a NEW installation !


(Didn't type quick enough !)

 

[telectrix]

i give up. even a monkey ( or even, gawd 'elp us, a plumber) could understand the requirements of amd.3.

 

[Andy78]

I think this is the most relevant extract from the regs regarding EICR

Introduction to BS7671 2008 (2015)
Existing installations that have been installed in accordance with earlier editions of the regulations may not comply with this edition in every respect, This does not necessarily mean that they are unsafe for continued use or require upgrading.

 

[davesparks]

If you are completing an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) from 1[SUP]st[/SUP] January 2016 and the plastic consumer unit is not underneath a staircase or not within the only route of escape and the connections inside the consumer unit are satisfactory, then it doesn’t need to be commented on. However, if plastic consumer units are underneath a wooden staircase or within the only route of escape from the property, then it needs to be noted on the report.Make sure that you are installing to the new 17th Edition Amendment 3 and that any consumer units which are installed from 1[SUP]st[/SUP] January 2016 anywhere in a domestic dwelling are manufactured from a non-combustible material (like steel), in order to comply with the current Wiring Regulations.

********! That is manufacturers marketing bull**** to encourage us to line their pockets with the hard earned money of innocent unsuspecting customers!

How the hell can they say that a fully compliant plastic CU installed on 31/12/15 suddenly becomes an observation on an eicr on 01/01/2016?

 

[davesparks]

But this is for a NEW installation !


(Didn't type quick enough !)

You asked about EICRs, extra circuits and minor works, none of which are new installations.