changing cu with no cpc in lighting circuits

[flukey]

hi all,
got a cu to change on mnoday where both lighting circuits have no cpc.

done a few before and nearly always because home owner wants to keep price to a minimum

i obviously mark it on eic and correctly label the cu so it all complies.

just wondered what others thought regarding this scenario as im not turning any work away at the moment

 

[JulianC]

Have read of this:

http://www.eca.co.uk/IndustryGuidan...ing circuits with no protective conductor.pdf

 

[flukey]

hi julian
i have that best practice guide already mate, just wanted to see other peoples opinions on doing it as we would all obviosly rather do a rewire

 

[Sav]

Hi,
I normally fit class 2 fittings and accessories, then continue with consumer board change. Obviously extra charge for this.
Also put warning label at consumer unit.
If customer says no to class 2 fittings, then I walk away.

Sav

 

[flukey]

hi sav
yeh thats a bit of an obvious one mate, all class 2 fitted anyway

reason for me asking is she had 4 estimates and i was the only one prepared to do it, other 3 said rewire or wouldnt quote

suits me

 

[pennywise]

I would suggest a rewire initially, If their answer was there's no money, class two and I wallpaper the inside of their understairs cupboard with stickers. Surprised that the other 3 companies weren't interested or didn't know their regs I would bite your arm off for any work at the moment

 

[flukey]

hi pennywise,
thats right, theres no way im letting this one go, perhaps the other 3 are snowed under

 

[Spudnik]

I suggest maybe putting a small declaration together and getting them to sign it.

There is no resaon why you cant change the CU without rewiring. If anything it will be safer than if you left it.

However, dont forget that you may still be responsible if something should happen in the future.

 

[pennywise]

They might be my cousins company that he works for is, and there based in Dagenham east and he's running around like a mad thing. Nice snow pun

Jason the NIC do thoughs danger certs you can get the client to sign if it's really that bad then you register them like any other minor works etc you've probably seen them anyway.

 

[Risteard]

Surprised that the other 3 companies weren't interested or didn't know their regs I would bite your arm off for any work at the moment

They do know their Regulations in fairness. The Regulations does not permit such a get out clause, it's simply guidance which, it should be said, does NOT come from the IEE.

Incidentally, how do you sign an Electrical Installation Certificate with something which clearly does not comply with the Regulations, nor does it provide an equivalent degree of safety?

 

[flukey]

I suggest maybe putting a small declaration together and getting them to sign it.

There is no resaon why you cant change the CU without rewiring. If anything it will be safer than if you left it.

However, dont forget that you may still be responsible if something should happen in the future.

installs not that bad. just missing cpc`s. im quite happy marking it on the cert and stickering their nice new cu up, cant believe others arent

 

[pennywise]

If it's guidance from my governing body and it's in black and white I don't have any concerns with signing something off.

 

[LJC]

hi pennywise,
thats right, theres no way im letting this one go, perhaps the other 3 are snowed under

As you say work is thin on ground!!!

Same up here-people want work doing just dont wanna pay for it!!!!!

 

[ChristianG]

Silly question possibly, but would the patress screws become live if a loose feed came out of a terminal and touched the metal back box?

 

[Davey101]

Silly question possibly, but would the patress screws become live if a loose feed came out of a terminal and touched the metal back box?

Yes they would mate, thats why you should idealy use plastic boxes, or plastic screws.
If it was my house, I would replace the screws with plastic ones.

 

[deanodean]

the elecsa website had a good download manul on exactly this subject. Look at right hand sise of home page click downloads. There is lots of info there.

 

[flukey]

Silly question possibly, but would the patress screws become live if a loose feed came out of a terminal and touched the metal back box?

i will be changing the switch plates for the ones that have the white plastic push in covers that hide the screw heads so this isnt an issue

 

[Danny Pross]

I know this may sound a bit thick
But I thought generally the regs prevent us leaving an installation less safe than it was previously.

I know what the ECA guidance is on earthing to lighting circuits - but wouldn't installing a new CU with RCD protection actually make the installation much safer than before?

Although I know that the entire installation should be tested before installing the CU, I thought that the EIC would cover the CU work only??

This isn't a major problem for me as I will just follow the ECA guidance.

I just wondered whether anyone could explain???

Cheers

D