Thread: Minor Works.. No RCD on Circuit ?

A customer has a big bedroom with only 1 pendant in the middle of the room, He asks you to make 2 lights in this room, making 2 pendants one either end of the bedroom.

What our my options to comply with 17th as the CU is to 16th so lighting is not RCD protected?

Also as its only minor works and in a bedroom, its not notifiable... Correct?


But still needs a MWC giving to the customer..
Also it is still permissable to carry out minor works if bonding is not present in the installation..

i would have thought its an alteration so needs to be rcd protected and brought up to 17th edition.

What would be the cheapest option for the customer do you think...??

As said many times, for small jobs like this if its going to cost the customer alot you will end up loosing work..

Do most of you just tell the customer for what seems like a small quick job is actually going to cost quite abit and if they say No, then just take it on the chin..

Its just a "P off" it has to be this way for the customer and the electrician... But i know.. regs are regs!

What our my options to comply with 17th as the CU is to 16th so lighting is not RCD protected?

1) In my opinion a note on the certificate will be enough if an RCD is only providing supplementary protection. Thats how I interperet 131.8 anyway, and will be interested in other opinions.
2) Replace the lighting MCB with an RCBO

Also as its only minor works and in a bedroom, its not notifiable... Correct?

I believe so

But still needs a MWC giving to the customer..

Yes

Also it is still permissable to carry out minor works if bonding is not present in the installation..

No because you will NOT be complying with regulation 131.8

Originally Posted by xraytek

No because you will NOT be complying with regulation 131.8

Ive been told by others that if its Minor works not in a special location, then if bonding isnt up to scratch you can still continue the works.. Have i been informed wrong then..?

There is a big difference between not being up to scratch, and not being present at all

Originally Posted by xraytek

There is a big difference between not being up to scratch, and not being present at all

Ha ha, I agree!!



I got this from an "Inspection & Testing" Text Book under the section, Minor Works Certs..

Confirmation of bonding

Has bonding been installed? If not, this should be
pointed out to the client, and identified in the comments section of the
certificate. It is still permissible to carry out minor works if bonding is not present

in the installation.

If it is a 16th Edition CCU, then as long as main bonding is compliant with 16th edition regs, then you are half way there. Of course, if lighting isn't on RCD, then you will have to ensure supplementary bonding is in place.

If you put lights on RCBO, then check main bonding meets 17th edition.

HOWEVER, if new cable joining pendant ( original ) to pendant ( new ) is above the ceiling, then does the RCD requirement still apply ??????

BUT, if 2nd pendant is to be wired so that it switches independantly to the first, then cable drop to switch will possibly require RCD protection.

Originally Posted by chocolate

If it is a 16th Edition CCU, then as long as main bonding is compliant with 16th edition regs, then you are half way there. Of course, if lighting isn't on RCD, then you will have to ensure supplementary bonding is in place.

So aslong as incoming services are bonded then i am ok? And No RCD is needed? Sounds 16th to me...