replacement cu not acceptable for NIC / Napit certification

[Dustydazzler]

My first DI scam assessment was at my own house which consisted of a board change and 2 sockets below it on a 16a radial.
I think my second DI scam assessment was a small extension + board change
No idea why the Scams are even still in business really , totally waste of time and money if you ask me...

 

[Pretty Mouth]

How challenging a job is doesn't really matter.

The point of the domestic installer scheme and the assessment is to show that a contractor is competent to do the full spectrum of domestic work.

If that were the case, then the candidate would be assessed for the full spectrum of domestic work (which would include board changes, alterations/additions, fault-finding, EICRs etc), rather than the narrow scope of 2 new circuits, chosen by the candidate.

 

[davesparks]

If that were the case, then the candidate would be assessed for the full spectrum of domestic work (which would include board changes, alterations/additions, fault-finding, EICRs etc), rather than the narrow scope of 2 new circuits, chosen by the candidate.

That would be the ideal situation yes, but like most things in life there has to be a compromise.

I just don't think that after years of complaining that the domestic installer scheme is too easy to join and too easy to pass the assessment that we should now complain that it has been made slightly harder to pass.

 

[Pretty Mouth]

That would be the ideal situation yes, but like most things in life there has to be a compromise.

I just don't think that after years of complaining that the domestic installer scheme is too easy to join and too easy to pass the assessment that we should now complain that it has been made slightly harder to pass.

I don't see how it's harder to pass by removing board changes from the assessment, only more awkward for some.

Someone that never does board changes can get through the assessment with 2 easy circuits, and can then go on to notify board changes, without any assessment of their abilities to do so. Yet our OP can't. Crazy.

 

[jjjinx]

Are you already a member trying to revalidate on annual assessment? Or trying to join and get registered?

I’m with Napit, never had any drama with them, but normally show them a decent sized job like a rewire each year.

I was a member, now I'm without until i can find a job that needs two circuits. I mainly do rentals where its upgrades / maintenance / small jobs.

I think they are trying to cut out the small guy, I had a job with one new circuit but still not acceptable.

 

[jjjinx]

My first DI scam assessment was at my own house which consisted of a board change and 2 sockets below it on a 16a radial.
I think my second DI scam assessment was a small extension + board change
No idea why the Scams are even still in business really , totally waste of time and money if you ask me...

Not allowed to show work at your business address on NIC, not sure about Napit. small radials are not acceptable. If its not got you this time round they will get you next time so be warned have something to show.

 

[Midwest]

Perhaps try one of the other schemes, I was with the now defunct Elecsa. I think NIC is too interested in larger companies, rather than sole traders.

 

[jjjinx]

That would be the ideal situation yes, but like most things in life there has to be a compromise.

I just don't think that after years of complaining that the domestic installer scheme is too easy to join and too easy to pass the assessment that we should now complain that it has been made slightly harder to pass.

slightly harder to pass? how many cu's have 2 extra ways that someone wants 2 extra circuits added I'd find a 4 leaf clover before that happens.
If your doing a loft conversion or the like maybe but generally if its only couple of sockets and lights its extended off the original. If its a conservatory / extension is only one extra and the lights fused off of it.

I've can't think of a job in the last 5 years that I've had to add 2 extra circuits to, I don't do rewires very often, like the last one was 7/8 years ago.

 

[Dustydazzler]

slightly harder to pass? how many cu's have 2 extra ways that someone wants 2 extra circuits added I'd find a 4 leaf clover before that happens.
If your doing a loft conversion or the like maybe but generally if its only couple of sockets and lights its extended off the original. If its a conservatory / extension is only one extra and the lights fused off of it.

I've can't think of a job in the last 5 years that I've had to add 2 extra circuits to, I don't do rewires very often, like the last one was 7/8 years ago.

Where did the 2 extra circuits come from

It always used to be 'a' new circuit , never any mention of having to be 2

 

[Midwest]

slightly harder to pass? how many cu's have 2 extra ways that someone wants extra circuits for in a standard property. If your doing a loft conversion or the like maybe but generally if its only couple of sockets and lights its extended off the original. If its a conservatory / extension is only one extra and the lights fused off of it.

I've can't think of a job in the last 5 years that I've had to add 2 extra circuits to, I don't do rewires very often, like the last one was 7/8 years ago.

If you think about, an alteration or addition in general terms isn't notifiable. So you wouldn't need the services of the NIC. Perhaps that's their thinking, you'll have to show more, and perhaps a CU change just doesn't demonstrate any design thought as such.

 

[davesparks]

slightly harder to pass? how many cu's have 2 extra ways that someone wants 2 extra circuits added I'd find a 4 leaf clover before that happens.
If your doing a loft conversion or the like maybe but generally if its only couple of sockets and lights its extended off the original. If its a conservatory / extension is only one extra and the lights fused off of it.

I've can't think of a job in the last 5 years that I've had to add 2 extra circuits to, I don't do rewires very often, like the last one was 7/8 years ago.

I appreciate it is a couple of years since I've done regular domestic work but when I did there was a usually at least a couple of jobs installing a submain to an outbuilding along with final circuits in the outbuilding or other small jobs requiring new circuits.

 

[davesparks]

I don't see how it's harder to pass by removing board changes from the assessment, only more awkward for some.

Someone that never does board changes can get through the assessment with 2 easy circuits, and can then go on to notify board changes, without any assessment of their abilities to do so. Yet our OP can't. Crazy.

They shouldn't get through with 2 easy circuits, the NICEIC guidance calls for substantial circuits, so not just a single socket next to the DB.

 

[Pretty Mouth]

They shouldn't get through with 2 easy circuits, the NICEIC guidance calls for substantial circuits, so not just a single socket next to the DB.

When I said easy circuits, I meant that I think that new circuits are easy to design, verify, and for the most part install too. Much easier than altering or adding to existing circuits IMO. The work is all yours so you know exactly what is where, and how it should be. Any problems, it's easy to re-trace your steps and put right.

Contrast that with a board change where you're working with an existing installation that is completely unfamiliar to you, that has probably grown organically over many years and many editions of the regs. You have to make sense of it, put any wrongs right, then do the actual board change itself (which can be the devils own game), and verify the whole thing, all to a time limit. Much harder work IMO.

 

[jjjinx]

I appreciate it is a couple of years since I've done regular domestic work but when I did there was a usually at least a couple of jobs installing a submain to an outbuilding along with final circuits in the outbuilding or other small jobs requiring new circuits.

I think Napit might be a little more lenient with their requirements after a 2nd conversation on the phone though its down to the assessor on the day not the person on the phone. Hoping that a supply from the main cu to a shed / garage with a cu & couple of circuits will suffice.