Legal requirement for certificate in 12v home?

[Yodelh]

Thanks for the add. I'm writing about a friend living in a part-tent, part-shed home with young children who has devised her own 12v set up with advice from pals and online info. I don't doubt her ability but am concerned she should get it checked by a real live electrician. Is she supposed to, by English law, please?

 

[James]

If she owns the “building” and is not renting it out, there is no requirement for any regular testing.

All fixed wiring comes under the wiring regulations, just because it is 12v doesn’t make it exempt.

With a 12v Dc system
The risk of shock is reduced to the point where it is negligible
However because the voltage is 20x lower, the current(Amps) is 20 x higher.

This means cables have to be thicker to prevent overheating and fire.
Fusing or circuit breakers are another thing that needs carefull consideration.

 

[Strima]

With extra low voltage the risk of shock is significantly reduced, even more so with DC, however the risk of fire still exists.

A certificate doesn't prove compliance, only correct inspection and testing can do that.

 

[Rockingit]

Consider the sample top sheet on an EIC / EICR - simply asks for the nominal voltage and whether AC/DC system. Unless it's changed recently and I've not noticed, BS7671 applies UP TO systems of 1000V, (110.1.2) so there is no actual minimum.

 

[Lister1987]

It could be argued that the installation falls into the remit of BS7671 by virtue of 110.1.2.ii

"wiring systems and cables not speciflcally covered by the standards for appliances"

 

[Marvo]

I'm interested what is the official definition of an 'electrical installation' in the UK regs. I think where I am it would depend on where the power for the 12VDC system originated. If for example you had a 12vdc system and you just connected batteries for power and replaced the batteries with charged ones when they went flat then I don't think it would qualify as an 'electrical installation' for the purpose of the regs. That said I'm not 100% sure and I'd have to check the smallprint in the definitions section of our regs.

 

[Strima]

I'm interested what is the official definition of an 'electrical installation' in the UK regs. I think where I am it would depend on where the power for the 12VDC system originated. If for example you had a 12vdc system and you just connected batteries for power and replaced the batteries with charged ones when they went flat then I don't think it would qualify as an 'electrical installation' for the purpose of the regs. That said I'm not 100% sure and I'd have to check the smallprint in the definitions section of our regs.

101.1.1 has ELV lighting in scope so this would cover part of this installation.

 

[pc1966]

As above. Certainly for such a battery you really should have an approrriate fuse or circuit breaker in the cable(s) feeding it and covers on the terminals, because if it is accidentally shorted out it could either cause a fire from the hot wires, or result in the battery exploding (with hot sulphuric acid thrown around).

So while there is negligible risk of an electric shock, the stored energy in such a battery has to be treated with respect!

It should be in some sort of overall box, but not the shelf/cupboard there - I really doubt it can safely handle the weight.

 

[James]

As above. Certainly for such a battery you really should have an approrriate fuse or circuit breaker in the cable(s) feeding it and covers on the terminals, because if it is accidentally shorted out it could either cause a fire from the hot wires, or result in the battery exploding (with hot sulphuric acid thrown around).

So while there is negligible risk of an electric shock, the stored energy in such a battery has to be treated with respect!

It should be in some sort of overall box, but not the shelf/cupboard there - I really doubt it can safely handle the weight.

Not forgetting that charging batteries gives off explosive hydrogen gas. Cupboard needs to be ventilated.

 

[Yodelh]

I'm interested what is the official definition of an 'electrical installation' in the UK regs. I think where I am it would depend on where the power for the 12VDC system originated. If for example you had a 12vdc system and you just connected batteries for power and replaced the batteries with charged ones when they went flat then I don't think it would qualify as an 'electrical installation' for the purpose of the regs. That said I'm not 100% sure and I'd have to check the smallprint in the definitions section of our regs.

The batteries are charged by solar PVs, I think.

 

[Lister1987]

I'm interested what is the official definition of an 'electrical installation' in the UK regs. I think where I am it would depend on where the power for the 12VDC system originated. If for example you had a 12vdc system and you just connected batteries for power and replaced the batteries with charged ones when they went flat then I don't think it would qualify as an 'electrical installation' for the purpose of the regs. That said I'm not 100% sure and I'd have to check the smallprint in the definitions section of our regs.

Section 2 (Definitions) has the following; Electrical installation (abbr: Installation). An assembly ol associated electrical equipment having co-ordinated charactedstics to fulfil specific purposes.