Tests to carry out prior to new CU

[A032701]

hi
i have been asked to quote for a job where the owner is doing an extension and wants me to do all new wiring in the new part however he wants to keep the existing wiring the same.
he also wants to change over the cu to a new metal one (mk probably). What tests do people recommend i do on the existing wiring to make sure its all safe and in good condition before i take out the old cu?
thanks

 

[sparksburnout]

Last board I did i ended up putting both light circuits on one breaker on same rcd too. With note on certificate as customer didnt want to do remedial works.
Being there was previously no rcds then this would be seen as an improvement.
The inconvenience factor whilst important is surely less than the safety benefits.
Queried it on the annual visit and the niceic bloke said sometimes it cant be avoided and its the camp site rule, leave it same or better than you found it

I think we have all done that, I certainly have. At the end of the day NO customer is going to want his decorations pulling apart when the wiring has been sitting there for 30 years with no problem.........

 

[Pete999]

hi
i have been asked to quote for a job where the owner is doing an extension and wants me to do all new wiring in the new part however he wants to keep the existing wiring the same.
he also wants to change over the cu to a new metal one (mk probably). What tests do people recommend i do on the existing wiring to make sure its all safe and in good condition before i take out the old cu?
thanks

The best practice guide, advises the installer to recommend to the client that an EICR is carried out prior to the CU change.

 

[FatAlan]

Isn’t the EICR a bit academic really as you are going to have to test the whole lot anyway to issue the EIC. Just makes sense to look for any existing problems first as already mentioned.

 

[Pete999]

Isn’t the EICR a bit academic really as you are going to have to test the whole lot anyway to issue the EIC. Just makes sense to look for any existing problems first as already mentioned.

Was only stating what the Best Practice Guide recommends Alan, you don't have to follow the guide, as it's a recommendation from Electrical Safety First.

 

[l4urence]

The rub here is that after the change it needs to all work because it did before, so it would be deemed 'your' fault. You need to be sure with testing as above that a circuit that will trip an RCD after its fitted (and doesn't yet because there isn't one) is highlighted, known about and flagged for repair. It's not always the circuits but consumer goods plugged in, the leaking washer / dishwasher / kettle. These might be defective and nobody knows yet and they'll try to blame you.

 

[l4urence]

Oh - forgot something! check for cpc on the damn lighting circuits! that one nearly bit me one time! Also 2.5 with a 1mm cpc (but I think you could c3 the latter after a board change)

 

[telectrix]

hit it with a hammer.if it still works, it's OK. .