Unsure if Board change required

[Bright.Spark]

Hi guys new to testing so unsure on my first job. Ive been given the job of putting 27 downlights on a downstairs lighting circuit so I will upgrade the breaker to 10 Amps but what I am unsure is the fuseboard is the old rewire fuse carriers so will I inform the customer they need a new board due to disconnection times and rcd etc. or do I just put on the minor works cert. that a fuseboard upgrade is required?

Sorry I am new and just starting out, thanks guys.

 

[cbw]

I would recomend you take someone along who knows if they are rewirable fuses or not! Seems like you have bitten off more than you can chew.

The answer to your question is very long winded as involves something called bs7671.

You also need to check earths and bonding etc.

Would recommend a competent person helps!


(By the way I laser lined a long run of downlighters, got them spot on, spent hours measuring and remeasuring.....then drilled all the holes too big!)

 

[Amp David]

Good answer. Think you summed it up in your second line, BS7671.

 

[Bright.Spark]

Ive checked all the earths and bonds are intact and they are defintely re wireable fuses as I removed one to confirm this, Im just wondering if I need to upgrade the board as no RCD's are present? or for a minor work certificate am I ok just to put advised board be upgraded?

(Im sure at some point I will make that same mistake, touch wood at the moment I havent but its an easy mistake to make)

 

[IQ Electrical]

Hi guys new to testing so unsure on my first job. Ive been given the job of putting 27 downlights on a downstairs lighting circuit so I will upgrade the breaker to 10 Amps but what I am unsure is the fuseboard is the old rewire fuse carriers so will I inform the customer they need a new board due to disconnection times and rcd etc. or do I just put on the minor works cert. that a fuseboard upgrade is required?

Sorry I am new and just starting out, thanks guys.

Please, as a minimum, have a good read of this: http://www.esc.org.uk/pdfs/business-and-community/electrical-industry/BPG6_09.pdf

You are being paid for your advice and expertise and you have a duty of care to get it right.

Are you a scheme member?

 

[cbw]

You will need to make sure that your new work complies with current regulation. (This may change shortly???)

That means that NO you cannot just advise on the minor works certificate.

Possibly you could put an rcd spur in somewhere,

possibly you could split the tails in a henley block and supply the lights off a small cu

but I would recommend that you explain the advantages of a modern fuse board to your customer and get another days work out of the job also!

 

[Bright.Spark]

Hi Iq, thanks for the link. I am not a scheme member but was planning on using this job as my assesment if a board change was required. I was pretty sure a board change was required but as I am just starting off I dont want to be seen as ripping people off. Thanks for all your help guys!

 

[cbw]

If its for your assessment do a deal with the customer.

I do it every year, get a CU change and do it at cost price along with a couple of other bits so the day is not a total loss.

Explain to the customer what your planning and that the board change and earth upgrade would usually be £350/£400 and that as you need an assesment you would be happy to do this important job for £125.00 for example!

Works every time.

I would still strongly reccomend you take someone with some experience allong for both the downlighters and the CU change.

As both these jobs are full of hidden problems.

 

[IQ Electrical]

Hi Iq, thanks for the link. I am not a scheme member but was planning on using this job as my assesment if a board change was required. I was pretty sure a board change was required but as I am just starting off I dont want to be seen as ripping people off. Thanks for all your help guys!

No problem, the ESC website has an abundance of great 'best practice guides' covering many subjects.

If you're making an installation safer, have no qualms in recommending measures to a potential client

PS. Remember the 'thanks button' when you get some good advice!

 

[Des 56]

PS. Remember the 'thanks button' when you get some good advice![/QUOTE]



#1 Bright.Spark

• join DateJan 2010 Posts 56 Thanks 0

Theres a possibility that may fall on deaf ears

 

[DurhamSparky]

(By the way I laser lined a long run of downlighters, got them spot on, spent hours measuring and remeasuring.....then drilled all the holes too big!)

love it!!!! hahahahaha ... what did you do? return the lights and get bigger size or fit a slice of board above and fill the gaps!!!

 

[cbw]

Took them back and bought adjustable ones which were larger......Very lucky, client would have gone mad!

 

[markythespark]

Hello,

On the original thread you fail to mention if any of the 27 downlighters are going into a special location? If so you will need some form of RCD protection and a board change would be a good option although there are other options.

Marky

 

[BLBelfast]

(By the way I laser lined a long run of downlighters, got them spot on, spent hours measuring and remeasuring.....then drilled all the holes too big!)

Done similar myself only mine was 20 PL fittings in ceiling tiles. Somehow got the measurement wrong and began cutting them out without "trying" one first