NAPIT Certification Scheme Napit/MCS non-conformity

[SunbeamSolar]

Hey guys. Just had my annual MCS Inspection by Napit.
Plain sailing apart from the assessor minutely investigating my Handover Pack. Anyway, I came away unscathed apart from;
Refer to DTI guide 2006 clause 4.5 and add missing information on operation and maintenance to handover pack. Forward to office.

I do actually have information on the operation and maintenance of the system including safe isolation and start-up procedures. I asked him to be more specific as it had passed last years inspection but his response was, more or less, to say that he wasnt there to give me answers. I dont suppose someone could forward a copy of what they include in their Handover pack so I can compare and modify if required.

Also, before going to the view the installation, he asked if it was on a 16 or a 20amp mcb. I'm not sure if he was trying to catch me out but I said I thought anything above a 16amp (3.68kW) is G59. Again he just said other installers use 20 amp....WTF???? Am i just going around in my own little world and missing changes in guidelines and regulation?

 

[infinity]

Hi, Im Napit, If i were you i would be calling office and suggesting that if they were not prepared to at least give advice and try to be helpful i would be moving my accreditations elsewhere ECA or the like!

You pay them to provide a service! So you should rightfully expect one!

My assessor last week was quite the opposite, very helpful and made the whole experience much easier!
You must of just had a miserable git!

 

[SunbeamSolar]

Thanks infinity but for the sake of one trifling non-conformity and not wanting to lose my £600, I'd rather just re-write the operation and maintenance guidelines

 

[SolarCity]

The size of the MCB is nothing to do with the DNO or G59.

The MCB should be selected for the job - why would you just stick a 20A on?

 

[moggy1968]

trouble is, if you don't know why you failed, you could waste some more money failing again.
sounds a bit of a txxxxx to me, which is a shame as I was thinking of changing to NApit.
I wonder if he just felt he had to find something wrong.

 

[dansk]

Thats really odd, but then authority does funny things to people - NAPIT are sound at my end, i cant praise them enough and my field officer is a good guy, always helpful.

 

[SunbeamSolar]

The size of the MCB is nothing to do with the DNO or G59.

The MCB should be selected for the job - why would you just stick a 20A on?

I didn't use a 20amp!!!!!
My point was the scope of G83/1 covers installations of less than 16amps unless prior permission has been received from the DNO. It was a 3kW system and therefore no DNO prior approval sought, so why ask if it was on a 20amp?

 

[SolarCity]

Exactly my point. No reason why it couldn't be backed by a 16A.

If you'd have used a 20A breaker it would not suddenly become a G59 install.

 

[SunbeamSolar]

I think we're agreeing to the same thing...I think!

 

[GreggElectrical]

Generally hate any assessor i've come across. I have the opinion that anyone who spends all day looking for faults in peoples work should be faultless in their own work. They rarely are but expect you to be 100%.

I've never failed an assessment but find myself caring less and less about what the assessors think.