What do you reckon?

[DPG]

Hi All.

Background: House with standard consumer unit with MCBs, no RCD protection. All wiring PVC T&E, earths to all circuits, PME supply. Extension built few years ago, 2 x RCBOs added in to cover new circuits.

An approved spark did the wiring on behalf of the builder. I noticed the certs didn't look like official certs even though he was registered. Mentioned this and got replacement certs, said he had run out. Mmm. Also, no stickers for new/old wiring colours and RCBO testing - minor point, but should have been done.

I looked at the bonding recently, and its under-sized - wish I'd realised this at the time but hey ho. This obviously means that any work by the electrician should not have been carried out.

Now I want to replace the consumer unit with a new one and use RCBOs for all circuits. Now I'm 17th qualified but not a spark. My issue is that I'm not allowed to replace my consumer unit, but the guy who did the work above would be. Obvously I shouldn't do the work myself, but my installation would be a lot safer after the work was done.

Sorry for the lengthy post, but interested in people's comments. I realise I will get slated as a DIYer so I'm prepared!

 

[jaresquire]

You may find that the bonding doesn't have to be upgraded if it is in place but not say 10mm, just had my annual NIC visit this morning so I'm s**t hot on that kind of thing!

 

[Strima]

How under sized is the bonding? Is it the main earth bonding or supplementary bonding? It may have been deemed suitable at the time the work was carried out and may still be so.

As for the paperwork, it could be done on the back of a smoke packet, so to speak, as long as it contains the required and relevant information. I agree that printed out certificates with nice logos all over the place look better but I still use the examples out of the BGB for some work.

 

[malcolmsanford]

What size are the bonds now 6mm?

I know that the regs for PME supplies stipulates that bonding must be taken from Reg 544.1.1 with regard to the supply neutral and that is 10mm.

But the regs also tell us in 132.16 that the earthing and bonding arrangements to any addition or alteration must be adequate for the protective measure applied. As he was applying RCBO protection to his addition, and I'm sure he would have risked assessed the situation, ie look at what was involved upgrading the bonding, was there signs of damage or burning to the existing bonds, and decided they were good for continuing use.

Personally I would always try and upgrade the bonding to the current regulations, but the bottom line is he didn't and most likely used his judgement to leave the bonding as is, perhaps for the reasons I outlined. But bottom line he never left the existing installation in a worse/unsafer condition, and his installation with RCBO protection and those sizes bond he deem adequate