DIY - help! - RCBO consumer unit

[verve01]

Hello,

Which amendment of the 18th BS7671 required RCDs for protecting lighting circuits (domestic)? I was told it’s amendment 2. Is that correct? Or is it amendment 1?

Thanks

 

[timhoward]

Hello,

Which amendment of the 18th BS7671 required RCDs for protecting lighting circuits (domestic)? I was told it’s amendment 2. Is that correct? Or is it amendment 1?

Thanks

It was definitely in 18th amendment 1.
Why?

 

[verve01]

It was definitely in 18th amendment 1.
Why?

An electrician installed a new consumer board in April 2022. They are saying that they didn’t need to protect lighting circuits with RCD’s or RCBO’s. As 19th edition only became current in 27th September 2027 (when 18th was withdrawn).

 

[Markyd]

An electrician installed a new consumer board in April 2022. They are saying that they didn’t need to protect lighting circuits with RCD’s or RCBO’s. As 19th edition only became current in 27th September 2027 (when 18th was withdrawn).

Wrong....get them off your job Now.....i suppose they were the cheapest price

 

[Markyd]

Hold up.....its April the 1st....explains this post

 

[timhoward]

An electrician installed a new consumer board in April 2022. They are saying that they didn’t need to protect lighting circuits with RCD’s or RCBO’s. As 19th edition only became current in 27th September 2027 (when 18th was withdrawn).

There isn't a 19th edition. The 2nd amendment of the 18th edition was released on 28th March 2022.

I can't understand why anyone would fit a split load board in April 2022 when they could be bringing the installation up to date with surge protection and RCD protection for every circuit.

I think I know the answer, but did they give you an Electrical Installation Certificate?

 

[nicebutdim]

Hold up.....its April the 1st....explains this post

Got me at 2027 - blew my mind to think someone from the future had wired this house.

 

[verve01]

An electrician installed a new consumer board in April 2022. They are saying that they didn’t need to protect lighting circuits with RCD’s or RCBO’s. As 19th edition only became current in 27th September 2027 (when 18th was withdrawn).

Wrong....get them off your job Now.....i suppose they were the cheapest price

Thanks, they are off the job. I didn’t mean the 19th edition. Assume that 18th amendment 2 is the latest?

 

[verve01]

Got me at 2027 - blew my mind to think someone from the future had wired this house.

Sorry, it’s not April fools, I meant amendment 2 of the 18th!

 

[verve01]

There isn't a 19th edition. The 2nd amendment of the 18th edition was released on 28th March 2022.

I can't understand why anyone would fit a split load board in April 2022 when they could be bringing the installation up to date with surge protection and RCD protection for every circuit.

I think I know the answer, but did they give you an Electrical Installation Certificate?

Thanks Tim, I didn’t receive an electrical certificate. I’m really lost as to what to do and if they are at fault for not putting in a consumer board with RCDs for lighting. Thanks so much. Really stressed.

 

[verve01]

Wrong....get them off your job Now.....i suppose they were the cheapest price

Wrong....get them off your job Now.....i suppose they were the cheapest prices

Got me at 2027 - blew my mind to think someone from the future had wired this house.

Sorry, wrong doc! Genuine mistake.

 

[verve01]

Thanks Tim, I didn’t receive an electrical certificate. I’m really lost as to what to do and if they are at fault for not putting in a consumer board with RCDs for lighting. Thanks so much. Really stressed.

They are saying that they didn’t need too because the amendment 2 of 18th didn’t come into force until 27th September 2022. So they worked to amendment 1 of 18th version. So didn’t need RCDs lighting.

 

[timhoward]

Thanks Tim, I didn’t receive an electrical certificate. I’m really lost as to what to do and if they are at fault for not putting in a consumer board with RCDs for lighting. Thanks so much. Really stressed.

I assume the person you used isn't in a competent person scheme like NICEIC or NAPIT? By rights they should be if they are changing domestic consumer units as the work should be notified to building control. You should also have a certificate proving they tested it all and it's safe.

They are saying that they didn’t need too because the amendment 2 of 18th didn’t come into force until 27th September 2022. So they worked to amendment 1 of 18th version. So didn’t need RCDs lighting.

The original 18th edition (from Jan 2019) required domestic circuits supplying luminaires to have RCD protection.
It's reg 411.3.4 and it's in the blue book. So this argument doesn't hold water at all.

Here's a web page that was released when the 18th edition first came out that mentions the change.

What is the 18th Edition and Why is it so Important? | Tradeskills4u

EXCERPT OO [...]Read More...

www.tradeskills4u.co.uk

The problem is that I'm not sure I'd want them to fix the issue anyway from what you've said.
It might be that RCBO's can be fitted for the lighting to avoid changing the whole board. But sometimes this isn't possible or cost effective.
I think you need to get a decent sparks around to have a look at it and give you some advice.

 

[verve01]

I assume the person you used isn't in a competent person scheme like NICEIC or NAPIT? By rights they should be if they are changing domestic consumer units as the work should be notified to building control. You should also have a certificate proving they tested it all and it's safe.

The original 18th edition (from Jan 2019) required domestic circuits supplying luminaires to have RCD protection.
It's reg 411.3.4 and it's in the blue book. So this argument doesn't hold water at all.

Here's a web page that was released when the 18th edition first came out that mentions the change.

What is the 18th Edition and Why is it so Important? | Tradeskills4u

EXCERPT OO [...]Read More...

www.tradeskills4u.co.uk

The problem is that I'm not sure I'd want them to fix the issue anyway from what you've said.
It might be that RCBO's can be fitted for the lighting to avoid changing the whole board. But sometimes this isn't possible or cost effective.
I think you need to get a decent sparks around to have a look at it and give you some advice.

Thanks Tim, so helpful. He’s an electrician but semi-retired so fear he’s not up to speed on regs. He doesn’t belong to any organisations. Should he have notified Building Control? We have no completion certificate or record of testing (online or paper). The consumer board is also missing any labels so it’s hard to identify what is what. Assume that labelling of the board is a requirement for issuing any completion certificate or compliance with building regs / control approval? Thanks again Tim, so kind.

 

[snowhead]

Can you post a photo of your consumer unit front to show what was fitted?

 

[verve01]

Can you post a photo of your consumer unit front to show what was fitted?

Can you post a photo of your consumer unit front to show what was fitted?

 

[littlespark]

Um…. That’s what was fitted? Recently?

I’m not going to mention SPD’s…. As I don’t think your spark has either.

 

[verve01]

Um…. That’s what was fitted? Recently?

I’m not going to mention SPD’s…. As I don’t think your spark has either.

Yes, it was fitted in April 2022. What are SPD’s? What are your thoughts on my previous questions re. Certificates / building control?

 

[verve01]

Yes, it was fitted in April 2022. What are SPD’s? What are your thoughts on my previous questions re. Certificates / building control?

Thanks!

 

[westward10]

Jesus what a mess. You need to get a competent electrician involved, completely reinstall/replace and get the correct Certification.