ELECTRICAL REPORT ADVICE

[westward10]

Is it just me but I can't open that pdf.

 

[timhoward]

Is it just me but I can't open that pdf.

Count yourself lucky - I'm embarrassed to be in the same scheme...

 

[sksikka]

Count yourself lucky - I'm embarrassed to be in the same scheme...

Try this..

 

[sksikka]

Count yourself lucky - I'm embarrassed to be in the same scheme...

Try this..

 

[timhoward]

This is one of the hardest ones I've ever seen on here to actually make any useful comment on.
There's such a sea of noise on the schedule it's hard to know where to start.
So just talking generally:
There are certainly mistakes on it (e.g.see the test instruments details)
There are concerns from the test results that aren't mentioned, e.g. the sockets circuit appears to have a broken Neutral, and two of the IR results are concerning.
There are observations that don't make immediate sense from the results (e.g. presence and adequacy of CPCs, but all circuits have an acceptable R1+R2 or R2 reading)
There are far too many C3's and pointless observations with no detail to clarify what they mean. In theory this document should be able to be passed to another sparks to do remedial works. If someone gave me that I'd have to start again with my own inspection.
The certificate number gives us an idea how long the person has been registered with Napit (not long) and how many EICR's they have done (not many)

The top concerns for me are the apparent lack of bonding to services, and two things that aren't actually specifically mentioned - the potentially broken Neutral on the sockets circuit and two very low IR readings, below the already low 1 Mohm pass mark.
If it were my house I'd be changing the consumer unit to add RCD protection too.

I'm afraid I'd probably start again with another report from someone else.

 

[Strima]

I'm with @timhoward on this one, there's a lot of issues there but they're all pretty much the same things just repeated several times.

If you lets us know you're rough location possibly a forum member might be nearby for a second opinion.

 

[pc1966]

It is not my usual line of work, but I agree it looks like the report is not terribly well done and what is flagged as serious might be missing things.

Those fuse boxes would typically date the installation to the 70s at newest, so really it is 40+ years old. However, they are not in themselves bad or non-compliant, just they lack RCD protection which can be a serious risk for some cases (e.g. outdoor sockets, or bathrooms without adequate supplementary bonding).

The measured leakage resistances are the most worrying to me, but they could turn out to be easy fixes. For example, I have seen low values on socket circuits with some RCD socket outlets dedicated to outdoor (or likely outdoor) locations. Lights could be low due to some outdoor light with water in it, etc. Those really do need to be investigated and fixed.

It would also be worth considering a replacement CU (consumer unit = fuse box) that has RCD protection and can easily be reset from a fault, unlike the current one when you have to rewire the fuse if it blows (often in the dark, as Murphy dictates).

Here is a good free guide to EICR issues, the Best Practice Guide #4 from here:

Best Practice Guides | Electrical Safety First

Electrical Safety First produces, in association with other industry bodies, a range of Best Practice Guides which provide definitive information and guidance on a range of technical subjects.

www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk

But the above suggestion of looking for someone on this forum is a very sound one. In terms of prices £700 for a CU replacement and fixing a few faults is not unreasonable, but it depends on your area, up here for such a small board I would expect a bit less, in London and south-east possibly more!

 

[timhoward]

The profile says Reading btw.
(There have a few occasions where I've wished for a pin-map of arms members....and wondered if there is a way I'm missing to find people by area on here.)

 

[Julie.]

There are two ways of looking at this report - from a high-level perspective it highlights that at least one circuit fails its disconnect time - so C2 looks correct, there is no bonding in the bathroom, nor RCD protection, nor CPC in the lighting, therefore a C2 for this would be appropriate. On these two issues alone it indicates the installation is not satisfactory and something needs to be done.

However, although the inspector has identified something needs to be done, it should be you that decides what is to be done, you could have a single upfront RCD fitted along with a few other minor fixes, it would be compliant, but wholly unsuitable, you could have a board change, or perhaps look at the installation overall and realise that it really ought to be modernised both in terms of electrical standards, but also usability for modern living. This could mean a full or partial rewire may be the overall better choice - for example fit a new circuit for the kitchen sockets, modern kitchens usually have more than a toaster and kettle (as was the case when this was installed).

Basically it should open up a dialogue between you and a number of electricians to decide what is best for you, your circumstances, and the future.

From another perspective this report could be considered poor! To me it looks like the inspector realised it needs something to be done (due to the above), so has "over-egged the cake" so as to speak, and found many borderline C2/C3 issues and put them in the C2 category, as it looks more urgent and essential to the homeowner.

As such; little care appears to have been exercised in the detail of this report, which to other electricians rings alarm bells!

However, there is no doubt, your installation needs to be updated in some way irrespective of the detail of this report; personally I would not get a second opinion - you know it needs addressing already.

In your situation I would think about what I want from the electrical system - I could do with more sockets in the Kitchen, perhaps an outside one for mowing the lawn, USB sockets in the bedrooms in more convenient places etc etc. Then get a couple of electricians in to quote for your needs and address the issues you have.

I would suggest looking for someone on this forum as they tend to be the more conscientious ones, many electricians like other trades and employees have no interest other than making as much money in their boring day-job as they can.

 

[sksikka]

I'm with @timhoward on this one, there's a lot of issues there but they're all pretty much the same things just repeated several times.

If you lets us know you're rough location possibly a forum member might be nearby for a second opinion.

I am in Reading, West Berkshire.