Periodic help

[sparkyste1]

Called to a 1 bed rented flat today which was built in 1998 (16 years old)
25mm tails, 16mm earth feeding consumer unit. 10mm gas and water bonding c/w 6mm supplementary to kitchen hot and cold water pipes only. BS5419 main switch, 60898 MCBs no rcd.
1) 16th edition came out in 1991. was rcd included in this as requirement or did rcd only become requirement in a 16th ed amendment?
2) should the 6mm supplementary also feed the bathroom and radiators? (cross bonding at boiler is done)
3) bathroom light is a battern holder 20mm outside bath, standard height ceiling. Should this be an enclosed fitting?

I'm due o sit my test and inspec next year so while at this property today I carried out a visual periodic to test myself. Unsure of these answers so thought best to ask you intelligent bunch

 

[ImpededLoop]

1) 16th edition came out in 1991. was rcd included in this as requirement or did rcd only become requirement in a 16th ed amendment?
2) should the 6mm supplementary also feed the bathroom and radiators? (cross bonding at boiler is done)
3) bathroom light is a battern holder 20mm outside bath, standard height ceiling. Should this be an enclosed fitting?

1 - RCD's were required where outdoor equipment was likely to b used.

2 - Under the 16th edition we used to cross bond to a metal bath tub from the pipework. The pipes were cross bonded at the boiler or cylinder.

3 - I would code it a C3 on an EICR, others may differ on this.

 

[Knobhead]

Here was me thinking this was going to be about the OP having a rough time with the Mrs every month.

 

[sparkyste1]

Thanks.
But couldnt any socket in this flat potentially be used for outside items? Eg vacuum inside car, mower to cut lawn...

 

[Andy78]

Thanks.
But couldnt any socket in this flat potentially be used for outside items? Eg vacuum inside car, mower to cut lawn...

This is the debate.
The ESC EICR guide says a C2 for any sockets without RCD likely to be used for outdoor equipment. Many other experienced electricians say it poses no more danger than when installed and only give a C3 as a blanket rule for any circuit without RCD protection.
I tend to play it by ear dependant on situation. I'm unlikely to ever C2 a lack of RCD for sockets on a 10th floor flat for example.

 

[lister]

Rcd for sockets likely to be used outdoors, so in your case I would expect to see a socket with an rcd built in, in the hall way or by the back door for instance (assuming it's ground floor flat were talking about) rather than a rcd in the consumer.
Bathroom - lights to be suitable for the environment it's in- so if it has a shower I would personally give it a C3 and recommend it's swapped.

 

[ferg]

Likely to be used outdoors for me is
Outdoors, garage, front or back porch.

Other than that you are getting into any socket near a window.

 

[sparkyste1]

6 Properties here. 3 ground floor, 3 first floor.
All 1st floor flats have just an entrance hallway into the flat with a single socket near door.
All ground floor flat have patio doors in the bedroom leading to rear garden.

If this helps explain anymore

 

[ferg]

Patio doors leading to a garden has "likely to be used outdoors" written all over it.

But equally if it's a bit of decking and gravel then I'd let it slide.

out of curiosity what is the definition of likely according to BS7671???

 

[sparkyste1]

I'm curious to know if whoever made up the regs realised how much they have contradicted themselves

 

[ImpededLoop]

I'm curious to know if whoever made up the regs realised how much they have contradicted themselves

The main problem is that the regs have to cover almost every possible type of installation in every type of building (and beyond). It would be impossible for them to fit every instance perfectly.

 

[trev]

The main problem is that the regs have to cover almost every possible type of installation in every type of building (and beyond). It would be impossible for them to fit every instance perfectly.

SHHHHHHH!
They'll realise they could be on to a real money spinner. One set of regs for domestic, one for industrial, one for hospitals, one for dentists, one for garages etc.
Let the sleeping dog lie

 

[ImpededLoop]

SHHHHHHH!
They'll realise they could be on to a real money spinner. One set of regs for domestic, one for industrial, one for hospitals, one for dentists, one for garages etc.
Let the sleeping dog lie

I've never thought of it before, but I'm amazed they haven't at £70 a pop!