What is my responsibilty now?

sivoodoo · Mar 17, 2011

Hi all,

I had a call yesterday from a friend who is living in rented accommadation.
He has just moved in last week. No PIR had been done and no paperwork at the CU.

He called to tell me the power to the whole house has gone.

On ariving I found that a wine bottle cork had been taped to the main switch on the consumer unit (i would imagine to keep it from flicking off) and that the 25mm neutral tail had burned out.

I removed the main switch (100 amp square D) and found that it has melted and no continuity through the neutral. It appears that the neutral tail had not been tightend properly or come loose.

I did not have a Square D 100 amp main switch on me at the time so replaced it with an MK main switch 100A. The fittings are identical.

Also I found that the main cut out was in a bad state. 1930s asbestos fuses, fused neutral and loose fuses, no seals on the box, very frayed 10mm tails from cut out to meter. I called YEDL who came out and replaced the cut out and tails promptly.

My question is what tests should be carried out? I am Part P registerd and am happy to carry out the tests but was wondering what test would be required. Would this be considerd replacement like for like or will swapping the main switch require full certification.

any help much appreciated.

pushrod · Mar 17, 2011

I would want some contact with the landlord before i did anything.

sivoodoo · Mar 17, 2011

Indeed.

The client is now having grief from the landlord for not using his electrician and calling me to come over.
The reason he called me is beacuse he dont trust the landlords electrician who apparently installed the consumer unit.
The tennant has a 2 year old kid and said he could not wait for the landlord to get his --- in gear to send someone round, understandable not wanting to nbe without power all night!

I was just wondering what tests are required for swapping out a main switch, is this lkike for like replacement or do I now have to test the whole damn house.
I told the tennant it requires a PIR.

Thanks

telectrix · Mar 17, 2011

i would write to the landlord, explaining what you had found. stress that it was an emergency situation, and what you have done. if you have any concerns about the safety of the installation, include this, advise him to have a full PIR> send it recorded delivery, and keep a copy. you have then IMHO, covered your ---.

sivoodoo · Mar 17, 2011

Thank you, I shall write a letter outlining what I did. But as far as swapping the main breaker what are my responsibilities?

telectrix · Mar 17, 2011

you have done an emergency repair. it's debatable whether or not to do a mwc, but i would do MWC for the main switch and on schedule of results for modified circuit/s enter N/V ( non verified.)

SirKit Breaker · Mar 17, 2011

You could also point out to the Landlord that The Landlords and Tenants act 1985 states:-

The landlords and tenants act 1985 requires that the electrical installation in a rented property is

Safe when the tenancy begins and maintained in a safe condition throughout the tenancy.

This is an extract from the Landlords Guide to Electrical safety, published by the Electrical safety Council.

Cheers.........Howard

IQ Electrical · Mar 17, 2011

What you have carried out is a 'distress change' and I would do exactly as Telectrix has advised, a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate to document your limited involvment in what sounds like a potentially poor installation.

telectrix · Mar 17, 2011

when IQ agrees with me, i know i,m doing something right for a change . LOL.

Deleted member 26818 · Mar 17, 2011

It is technically a like for like replacement, as such a MWC may be issued.
I say technically, because the British Standards for CUs require that they be type tested with MCBs and isolators installed.
Type testing would not be conducted with other makes of MCBs and isolators.
As such, it could be argued that by using a different make of isolator, the CU no longer complies to the British Standard.
By issuing a MWC you will be able to document the fact that a non OEM isolator has been fitted, indicate that the work was conducted as an emergency repair and also voice your concerns on the safety of the existing installation.
I would issue the MWC to your mate and let him take the matter up with his landlord.