Which edition the consumer unit is

[Paul Dodds]

Hi,

Just a quick question. I've done an EICR on a house and the sparks who I normally go to for advice has said the board sounds like a 14th edition. He knows most things but in this case I think he might be wrong! I believe it's a 15th but can anyone give me a 'general' break down of the various editions so I know for future, i.e 15th is one RCD... I even have a photo for you to look at, you may have come across a couple of these!!

Don't worry I straightened up the MCB's before closing the cover and MCB 1 is unused.
I've done a few google searches for the breakers but they don't give an edition.

 

[westward10]

There is no such thing as an Edition consumer unit.

 

[Paul Dodds]

Ok, so the consumer unit complies with XX edition?

 

[Spoon]

Hi OP: I think I know what you are getting at.
My CU only has 1 RCD in it and that has been referred to as a 16th Edition unit.

 

[Pete999]

Ok, so the consumer unit complies with XX edition?

Deleted

 

[westward10]

Why do you want this mythical Edition on an EICR it has no relevance, consumer units are manufactured to British Standards and not Editions of the Wiring Regulations.

 

[Paul Dodds]

Thanks Spoon for the sensible and helpful response.

 

[Paul Dodds]

The consumer unit complies with BS7671 16th edition. I would recommend that it be replaced to comply current regulations - C3. Or would you just say complies with an earlier edition of the regs.
That sort of thing.

 

[westward10]

That consumer unit does not comply to any Edition of BS7671 and why you are Coding for a replacement to bring it up to current Regs is quite frankly beyond me.

 

[Spoon]

I would recommend that it be replaced to comply current regulations

I would not say that to the customer......
If you said that to me then I would ask to see where it says in the regs that a CU, that is not having any additional circuits to it, must be changed if it's not up to current regs...

 

[PEG]

An EICR is not estimation of date or editions,it is conducted to assess condition and compliance,with mind to those in place,when fitted.

It's actual age,is irrelevant to the above,although one can give cause,to the other.

The easy,standard example of this,is Pyro.

 

[Adam W]

I'd just say that it doesn't comply with the current edition.

 

[Spoon]

I'd just say that it doesn't comply with the current edition.

While adding "but then again about 98% of domestic CU don't comply to current regulations....."

 

[sparksburnout]

Have you got some decent Professional Indemnity insurance?

 

[Pete999]

Hi,

Just a quick question. I've done an EICR on a house and the sparks who I normally go to for advice has said the board sounds like a 14th edition. He knows most things but in this case I think he might be wrong! I believe it's a 15th but can anyone give me a 'general' break down of the various editions so I know for future, i.e 15th is one RCD... I even have a photo for you to look at, you may have come across a couple of these!!

Don't worry I straightened up the MCB's before closing the cover and MCB 1 is unused.
I've done a few google searches for the breakers but they don't give an edition.

 

[Adam W]

While adding "but then again about 98% of domestic CU don't comply to current regulations....."

Where did you get that statistic from, and what difference does it make?

 

[Pete999]

Where did you get that statistic from, and what difference does it make?

It was a generalisation I think

 

[Spoon]

Where did you get that statistic from, and what difference does it make?

It was a generalisation

Please see @Pete999 post above.

If you have a figure of how many Amendment 3 CU's have been fitted then I'd be interested to know.

 

[Pete999]

Where did you get that statistic from, and what difference does it make?

Have you bothered to read the link I sent you? top of page 2 I think it was.

 

[Adam W]

Have you bothered to read the link I sent you? top of page 2 I think it was.

No, I couldn't be bothered downloading and trawling through all that lot. Just give me the gist of it.

 

[Paul Dodds]

My apologies, I thought it would have been a C3 because of the line: Condition of enclosure(s) in terms of fire rating etc (421.1.1.201; 526.5)

 

[Adam W]

Please see @Pete999 post above.

If you have a figure of how many Amendment 3 CU's have been fitted then I'd be interested to know.

98% of them since Amendment 3 came into force.

 

[Spoon]

98% of them since Amendment 3 came into force.

That is wonderful news.... I can sleep now..

 

[Paul Dodds]

I'm only "recommending" that it be changed not that it is changed. I would of thought highlighting improvements that can be made is a good thing?

 

[Adam W]

I'm only "recommending" that it be changed not that it is changed. I would of thought highlighting improvements that can be made is a good thing?

Yes, you are quite correct - there's no requirement to replace an old CU, but one of the purposes of an EICR is to highlight where improvements can be made, for example if something no longer complies with current regs.
It seems certain members have got confused here.

 

[Spoon]

You guys work for British Gas...

 

[Paul Dodds]

Thank you Adam.

 

[westward10]

Yes, you are quite correct - there's no requirement to replace an old CU, but one of the purposes of an EICR is to highlight where improvements can be made, for example if something no longer complies with current regs.
It seems certain members have got confused here.

Confused never, you state facts and then if necessary discuss with the client what actions if any they would like to take.

 

[Paul Dodds]

421.1.201 Within domestic (household) premises, consumer units and similar switchgear assemblies shall comply with BS EN 61439-3

 

[Spoon]

421.1.201 Within domestic (household) premises, consumer units and similar switchgear assemblies shall comply with BS EN 61439-3

This is for new builds.....
Think about it.... Are you saying that the 25 million homes in the UK must now have CU's that comply with Amendment 3....??