Bodge job by NIC registered company , Help please

[Knobhead]

Why does it need an RCD?

Good question, answers on a postcard please.

Because that's all DI's install, it's their way of making everything "safe" without knowing why or what they are doing.

I'll agree with Dillb now I've corrected his post.

 

[lee0069]

Regulation 411.4.2
Each exposed conductive part of the installation shall be connected by a protective conductor to the main earthing of the installation, which shall be connected to the earthed point of the power supply system.

Regulation 522.6.6 (iii)

The cable must be enclosed in earthed trunking or ducting
as specified in 522.6.6.(iii)

If the above where done then yes it would not require an RCD

 

[davesparks]

It doesn't need an RCD as it is now, it just needs fixing!

An RCD does not negate the need for steel conduit to be earthed or for it to be properly constructed.

An RCD is not a magical device that excuses all bad workmanship!

 

[davesparks]

Ok I can't even find 522.6.6 in my regs book, the nearest thing is 522.6.100 onwards which variously contain those words. But they all specifically relate to concealed cables, not surface conduit work.

 

[lee0069]

Wel maybe you would like to read this: http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...zbQHBXjklYkANBA&bvm=bv.76477589,d.ZGU&cad=rja
All my point is is that the conduit has to be earthed

 

[Silly Sausage]

What's occurring in the 2nd picture where the tube is cut off?
Where are the cables going?

522.6.6.200 says it should be coloured in brick pattern paint. Fail!

 

[davesparks]

Wel maybe you would like to read this: http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...zbQHBXjklYkANBA&bvm=bv.76477589,d.ZGU&cad=rja
All my point is is that the conduit has to be earthed

That link is irrelevant as it is only concerned with buried cables, not surface installations.


You are probably right that it should be earthed, but an RCD is not an alternative so fitting one will achieve nothing, so again why do you think it should have an RCD fitted?

I say probably as it is obviously T&E inside the conduit, which is a wiring system in its own right, so it is possible that there could be some debate from some quarters as to whether it needs earthing or bonding or neither.

Also as T&E is suitable for use without additional mechanical protection there is no requirement for the conduit to pass through the doorframe.

 

[snowhead]

Ignoring whether an RCD is required or not;

How has the O.P established there is no RCD fitted, when it's not in His/Her premises?

 

[lee0069]

Yes but as the conduit is insecure and the cable could be pulled out if the light fitting , and the line condutor could be toching the unearthed conduit .Am i the only one who can see some one getting an electric shock?

And yes i agree if the conduit was secure and continious then there is no need for an RCD , but the conduit has never been earthed or mechanicly or electricy continious.

 

[Guest77]

[h=2]Help please[/h]
whats the problem Lee?

 

[davesparks]

Yes but as the conduit is insecure and the cable could be pulled out if the light fitting , and the line condutor could be toching the unearthed conduit .Am i the only one who can see some one getting an electric shock?

And yes i agree if the conduit was secure and continious then there is no need for an RCD , but the conduit has never been earthed or mechanicly or electricy continious.

There is no need for rcd with the conduit being insecure, what it needs is the conduit to be secured properly!

How do you know for certain that the conduit is not earthed? Have you opened the light fitting to check that there isn't a banjo in there or an earthing nut?

 

[lee0069]

As i have said its not earthed , there is a around 7MΩ resistance from both parts of the conduit to the main eathing terminal, i have not taken the light fitting apart but can access there CU.

 

[snowhead]

As the O.P has exhausted all reasonable courses of action and feels the installation is a possible death trap then there appears to be only action left, disconnect said circuit.

That'll get someone's attention.

Knowingly leaving it in it's current state might later be deemed to have been negligent, especially for someone with appropriate technical knowledge.

 

[davesparks]

So the question is whether it would want earthing or bonding then?
If bonding then it obviously won't be required as it is above the magic number, but if it would be earthing then it will need it.

What exactly is 'around 7Mohm'? That's hardly a specific measured value is it?

I would say that since it is containing T&E rather than singles it doesn't require earthing strictly speaking, in the same way that cable tray doesn't specifically require earthing if it is carrying sheathed cables. Have a read of Guidance note 8 and see what it has to say about it.

 

[lee0069]

Yes but there is another issue , that circuit feeds the lights for the stairs and last thing i would also want to see is people falling down them where they cant see

 

[Silly Sausage]

Find out who ordered the work, tell them your concerns, and get them to report it to the NICEIC, as in your OP.
Not that the NICEIC will do F$%& All about it.

I would say, follow Tony's advice earlier up thread, but trouble is, the original installer will get called back to fix it and get paid even more money!!!

It's :mad2: time.

 

[davesparks]

As the O.P has exhausted all reasonable courses of action and feels the installation is a possible death trap then there appears to be only action left, disconnect said circuit.

That'll get someone's attention.

Knowingly leaving it in it's current state might later be deemed to have been negligent, especially for someone with appropriate technical knowledge.

If the owner of the installation hasn't given permission to disconnect it the if he does he could be prosecuted for criminal damage.

 

[infinity]

If it's over 29000 ohms it's not even classed as an extraneous part! It's practically seperate from the wiring system

 

[snowhead]

If the owner of the installation hasn't given permission to disconnect it the if he does he could be prosecuted for criminal damage.

It wasn't an entirely serious post, but as you brought it up.
Disconnecting wouldn't be causing damage, might be unlawfully interfering, but with reasonable grounds in the O.P's opinion.
He's already been at the C.U and main earth terminal..

 

[davesparks]

It is an act of vandalism!