Old & New Installations

[weston]

Hi All,

I am new to this forum, and have been working for myself for 18 months now. I have been an electrician since 1992, but had a break for 8 years and became an IT manager.

I wonder if you can help me get my head round something. I understand that all new builds (domestic) and to the 17th Edition and Part P, but if I go into say a 60 year old property, with a wylex rewirable fuse board, 6mm main earth, 6mm bonding, and I am asked to install a new socket on the ground floor ring, do I need to upgrade the earth, bonding and possibly the CU to meet the regs?

I know this is a bit long winded, but I understand the regs, but I am not 100% sure when to apply them.

Thanks for your help...

 

[randyrat]

As I understand it, the first thing you must do is INSPECT the current installation, particularly the earthing, bonding and protection arrangements. If there are shortfalls you must inform the customer. You should only install in accordance with the latest regs i.e 17th ed, which means protecting final circuits with RCD/RCBO.
Nothing wrong with having a wired fuse system in place, but if you alter it or add to it then you have to comply with current regs.

 

[weston]

Hi Randyrat,

Thanks for clearing that up for me. I know it is a stupid question, but I was a little unsure.

So if the installation is not going to be altered, then there is no reason to change anything, but if an alteration is required, then inspect the current install, and let the customer know what is required.

If it was just an additional socket, would I need to make sure that circuit meets the current regs, or would I need to upgrade all before commencing additions.

For example, it could be possible to move the socket circuit to a seperate consumer unit with rcd or rcbo protection, and leave the rest of the installation as is. would this be right, our should the whole consumer unit be replaced?

Kind Regards

Weston

 

[assured elec]

You could stick the ring on a RCBO if you can get one to fit in the old board , or you could stick a rcd skt/ fuse spare in....Volex 2G DP RCD Skt - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys

or change the board , .....

Earthing must be updated to 10mm

HTH

 

[weston]

Thanks, there are a few ways round it, just need to get upto speed with whats available.

Thanks for your help.