RCD Quandary.

[telectrix]

basically, done a EICR for rental. 12 way wylex with 3871 MCBs, no RCD at all, so a few C2's and C3's. ideal world is a new CU with RCBOs, or even a dual RCD board. landlord won't pay more than necessary as it's a short term let and due to be demolished as soon as he gets planning for 2 houses on the land. upfront RCD would get rid of the "fails" on the installation, but 1 rogue circuit and the lot is dead. what would you do?

 

[loz2754]

Not that.

Either upgrade the consumer unit, as it could well be a long time before the property gets demolished, and the law is the law, and it cannot be let with C2s.

Or maybe (assuming RCBOs for this board are not available) run the circuits that need RCD protection through a separate enclosure with RCBOs in it.

 

[telectrix]

be hard enough getting the tight-arse to pay for an upfront RCD in enclosure. mention RCBOs and he has a heart wallet attack. the upfront RCD would get rid of the C2s so would make it safe for use, but non-compliant regarding division of circuits.

 

[Dustydazzler]

I hate fitting dual rcd boards but if the property is to be demolished in a few months time I would be inclined to by a second hand rcd board off eBay and fit that as a very temporary fix

you can pick up a dual rcd board for about 30 quid second hand

British General CFFDP16616 Populated Dual RCD Consumer Unit - White for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for British General CFFDP16616 Populated Dual RCD Consumer Unit - White at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

your customer probably won’t like my Labour charge for doing it , but if it’s an easy swap then you can bill him half a day

 

[loz2754]

be hard enough getting the tight-arse to pay for an upfront RCD in enclosure. mention RCBOs and he has a heart wallet attack. the upfront RCD would get rid of the C2s so would make it safe for use, but non-compliant regarding division of circuits.

You asked what we would do.
If the owner is unwilling to pay to comply with a legal requirement, I'm off down the road to the next job...

 

[littlespark]

Even temporary supplies need to conform.
That’s what this would be.
Landlord spends the money, or he’s failed in ensuring the safety of his tenants.

he might be better not letting it out, and just wait until it’s demolished.

 

[timhoward]

A completely different way of looking at it - One day when he has new houses built (which he claims is soon) he will need a new consumer unit with rcd and probably spd protection to get past building control. No reason I can see that it can't be removed and preserved when demolition occurs.
Granted the labour costs of a board change are higher than an up front rcd but he has to suck that up as he's a landlord and responsible for his tenants safety.

 

[Intoelectrics]

If he wants his wedge of money for the rent then he should suck up what it will cost to make it compliant.

2 options in my mind, he pays for compliance or he doesn't rent out.

Option 3, which I suspect he would like to take, spend nowt, take a risk then blame someone else if it goes t**s up

Tel, walk away if he won't comply.

 

[UNG]

landlord won't pay more than necessary as it's a short term let and due to be demolished

So if it is necessary to fit a new CU then that is only paying for what is necessary. What does this landlord consider is the price is safety if an incident occurs and the legal bods appear a new CU will be the cheaper option

 

[Mikegh]

I don't work in the UK but my 2c

Upfront RCDs are a hazard imo


I don't even like the dual rcd boards , lighting and sockets shouldn't share an rcd

I would enforce my own standards on these situations

 

[telectrix]

right then it's £450 for a new CU, add my time and effort, another £300 - £350, end of the day, it's less than 2 month's rent.

 

[Dustydazzler]

right then it's £450 for a new CU, add my time and effort, another £300 - £350, end of the day, it's less than 1 month's rent.

if the guy is penny pinching just sling in a cheap screwfix special duo rcd board or buy one off ebay

 

[telectrix]

if the guy is penny pinching just sling in a cheap screwfix special duo rcd board or buy one off ebay

think that's what he'd go for a 13 way BG dual RCD board. but then he'd want it refitting in 1 of the new houses. not my problem. i'll be out of the game by then (assuming i'm still alive enough to be fed Theakstons by straw).

 

[timhoward]

think that's what he'd go for a 13 way BG dual RCD board. but then he'd want it refitting in 1 of the new houses. not my problem. i'll be out of the game by then (assuming i'm still alive enough to be fed Theakstons by straw).

In all seriousness I'd rather fit that £80 delight than nothing at all (once the knock-outs have been removed with dynamite)

 

[telectrix]

them rear knockouts are a gem. i finf a 2lb hammer and a sharp cold chisel the easiest.