Thread: PIR 16th Vs 17th please clarify

Hi there,


Been doing periodics for 10 years now... Will someone clarify to me, now the 17th has come into effect, what regulations i'm testing to.... for example I was told by a very good spark that if the installation complies to 16th edition regs then its a pass with all the nessary notes explaning it must be upgraded, he even gives out one year certs to enforce this.

Another sparky however said that this isn't right and he is telling customers that everything must now comply to 17th edition. so if that means a re-wire so be it.

If ithats the case half the country would need rewires.

I test to 17th and on my defect sheet (page 2 ) mark whats needs done as recommendations. For instance rcd protection on circuits in an office. If the circuit is fine and without an rcd the Zs is low enouph for correct disconnection i would class 2 it. But would class 1 circuits where it could suppply something outdoors. Remeber PIRs are a report and if the cliet doesnt want to do anything thats his problem hes paying you to give advice.

Hi folks

correct me if I am wrong hear but I was under the impression that all socket outlets had to be protected by an rcd I-n 30ma indoors if they whereto be used by none competent persons
I would probably give this a code 1

But I would probably give this a code 2Additional protection not provided by 30-ma rcd for cables concealed in walls or ceilings for protection against penetration

I think we need to judge each installation on its own merits

Also I think we are all guilty of this how much you want thee remedial works ????

code 1 requires urgent attention
code 2 requires improvment
code 3 requires further investigation
code 4 dose not comply with bs 7671 / 2008
therefore an installation comleted to the 16th edition
would be a code 4

Originally Posted by old dog

code 1 requires urgent attention
code 2 requires improvment
code 3 requires further investigation
code 4 dose not comply with bs 7671 / 2008
therefore an installation comleted to the 16th edition
would be a code 4

Using this as a rule then an installation completed to the 13th edition would also be a code 4 ![satisfactory]
Undersized Main Earth
Probably No Main bonding
No Supplementary bonding
Possibly Voltage Operated type Elcb
No cpc to lights
No RCd protection ...Anywhere...
I could go on......

No . I Test to B.S 7671 2008 but Code accordingly...............As a matter of interest any NICEIC sparks should take note that Codes 1 AND 2 are now deemed to result in an Unsatisfactory result on a P.I.R

I've not herd that a code 2 is a fail if your niceic registered. I don't think that right.... Its a very grey area that i think needs to be addressed....
obviously a lot is down to the testers discresion but if I have very few codes 3 & 4's and one code 2, I tend to pass this.... As for No RCD being a code 1 thats not right as its not causing an immediate threat to danger its code 2 max.... and if this was my only code 2 I would pass it..

Originally Posted by Jason.S

If there are any code 1's on an installation, then its generally an instant unsatisfactory and the place shut down and locked off.

Code 2 would be a maximum for non RCD socket outlets IMO.

Hi Jason

As much as I would love to do this, I don't think you have the legal right to shut off someone's supply and lock it off. They are commissioning you to do a report and ultimately it's down to them what cours of action will be taken.

Cheers, Ron