Was he incorrect in then specifying and quoting for a dual rcd board from contactum (spelling). I merely wanted a better brand.Yes the Regulations do not advise them for residential properties.
Discuss New rewire and fuse board - views on work. in the UK Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net
Was he incorrect in then specifying and quoting for a dual rcd board from contactum (spelling). I merely wanted a better brand.Yes the Regulations do not advise them for residential properties.
Can someone confirm, if there is a code number under BS standards that the work needs to be good workmanship.
Hold on, his quote was to supply and fit a dual RCD fuse board made by contactum (spelling). His quote was never RCBO etc.
Was he incorrect in then specifying and quoting for a dual rcd board from contactum (spelling). I merely wanted a better brand.
You are likely to need to list it as a departure something you really don't want to be doing, see Regulation 531.3.2 (ii). What the customer wants should not sway you from what is correct.
If he had recommended, a RCBO and the reasons for it, i'd have it done. His quote states "1. Supply and Installation of x 1 Dual RCD Consumer unit with SPD' He told me the brand was contactum. I wanted Hager or schneider.@westward10 my understanding is that they look like this - and I'd expect to see some glimpse of the CPC .
View attachment 105116
That wasn't the wisest move really.
What did he want to fit? Was it Fusebox? Any RCBO board would have been better.
If you supplied the board how did he end up with exactly the right number of B6 breakers for lighting unless you also knew the plan in advance?
The main reason is that the regs encourage us to design to limit cumulative earth leakage and specifically tell us to consider RCBO's in residential premises. (Section 314 and section 531.3.2 )
Fair enough - every electrician I asked said they wouldn't go near contactum, and I already had a Hager so thought it makes sense. Secondly where do you keep getting RCBO's from? The quote was for a dual RCD board. RCBO's were never mentioned, perhaps if I had been told the benefits I would have bought them.The general consensus will be that dual RCD boards should be avoided and I'd fully agree with that.
It's worth pointing out that Contactum is not a cr*p brand as per your previous statement. Contactum or Hager would have been perfectly good options with RCBOs in place of the current dual RCDs, although as @timhoward points out CP Fusebox provide a very good value alternative.
If he had recommended, a RCBO and the reasons for it, i'd have it done. His quote states "1. Supply and Installation of x 1 Dual RCD Consumer unit with SPD' He told me the brand was contactum. I wanted Hager or schneider.
As to the B6 breakers, as I bought a much bigger board I knew there would be gaps. Also I wasn't sure if each smoke detector needs its only 6 amp breaker so thought best to buy extra of those. They are only 3 pounds and a blank is over` £1. I thought it wise to buy those, but I also have 5 extra mcb's not fitted which I can take a photo of, a 6, 16, 20, 20, 32. So I bought a mixture.
I have it in writing, that the plan is to have a ground, 1st floor, and loft where the circuits are 32 amp, and lighting is 6.
I asked about the smoke detectors running off the 6 amp for the lighting, and was told it will be on a "separate circuit from the consumer unit not from the light".
Well it is connected to the same circuit breaker that does the kitchen lights.
It's a slightly subjective one. "RCDs shall be selected and the circuits subdivided in such a way that any earth leakage current likely to occur during normal operation of the connected load will not cause unwanted tripping of the device"Was he incorrect in then specifying and quoting for a dual rcd board from contactum (spelling). I merely wanted a better brand.
Fair enough - every electrician I asked said they wouldn't go near contactum, and I already had a Hager so thought it makes sense. Secondly where do you keep getting RCBO's from? The quote was for a dual RCD board. RCBO's were never mentioned, perhaps if I had been told the benefits I would have bought them.
Hi Dusty, If I had known that they are superior and advised I'd have gone for it. The board discussion was only after theNo issue with this approach
Although I would have tried my best to persuade you to go for a full Rcbo board , for the extra 90-100 quid on materials it is a far superior set up
Again someone not reading - he was going to supply and fit a dual RCD board. All I did was change brand.The above is one of many reasons why a lot of electricians insist upon supplying materials - or at the very least writing a comprehensive list.
Your new board is not what many would recommend, for reasons previously outlined, but having a dual RCD board doens't present any inherent danger. It can be argued that such boards should no longer be fitted, and I'd be the first to argue that very point, but changing it again will present significant cost and this would be borne by you as the board was your choice.
Provided the wiring in your home is good, and connections sound, the risk of problems should be exceptionally low and it might be best to get any real issues resolved and chalk the rest up to experience. I doubt you'll be using this electrician again, but in future would look for word of mouth recommendations or ask for someone local on a specialist forum like this one.
Again someone not reading - he was going to supply and fit a dual RCD board. All I did was change brand.
Thank you,It's a slightly subjective one. "RCDs shall be selected and the circuits subdivided in such a way that any earth leakage current likely to occur during normal operation of the connected load will not cause unwanted tripping of the device"
One might argue that stacking 8 (or 7 and a spare?) circuits on a single RCD is pushing it a bit.
On the other hand if he measured the normal leakage current as <=9ma then he's complied with a further ident of the same reg.
I think you've had good advice already. It's not neat and tidy, it could use some cable restraint, and wiser decisions could have been made laying out the board. They look like Type A RCD's, it has SPD protection and it's a decent brand.
It sounds as though you have had an almost complete rewire for a pretty decent price for London.
The smoke alarm setup is probably in fact a good idea as if that circuit trips you will know about it as it is also feeding lighting.
I actually can't see an NICEIC complaint getting far with this one, we've seen much worse on here and their first response will be to ask you to put your complaints in writing to the sparks anyway. They will only get involved (and reluctantly) if relationships completely break down or he refuses to address your complaint.
I'd suggest a civil conversation with him to request he tidies up a bit, and double check there's a CPC wire in the SPD.
I think you are defo right. Part of me thinks whether I should leave it be, or whether I should get a competent spark to rip it out, and fit a new one with RCBO's.Here's a picture of a Fusebox CU with compact RCBOs recently installed by me , this wouldn't cost an awful lot more than the dual RCD Hager board you specified and is good quality. I think how a CU is fitted/connected up gives a fair idea of an electricians attitude to their work and any decent Electrical Tradesperson would produce something like this.
I supply two quotes when quoting a board, one for dual rcd, one for full rcbo, with a strong recommendation to fit the rcbo board and with the continuing drop in rcbo costs this is getting an easier argument to win in most casesI understand that, and the reasons why, but if a customer specifically requested fitment of a quality dual RCD board, I can't see any reason not to.
I'd certainly put forth a persuasive argument in favour of an alternative set up, but can't think of any reason why one shouldn't be fitted at a customer's request.
Great installHere's a picture of a Fusebox CU with compact RCBOs recently installed by me , this wouldn't cost an awful lot more than the dual RCD Hager board you specified and is good quality. I think how a CU is fitted/connected up gives a fair idea of an electricians attitude to their work and any decent Electrical Tradesperson would produce something like this.
It should have been done in the beggingI’m refusing to pay him the final payment - he is going to come around and sort it.
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