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Electrical Installation User's Manual.

Zoomup
We are provided with user's/owner's operation manuals with many products these days, such as with new cars or domestic electrical appliances.


Should we provide one regarding domestic electrical installations, especially if we are letting a house or flat, or after a rewire? The manual could simply cover the use of the electrical installation and the operation of consumer units and internal devices such as the main switch, M.C.B.s, R.C.B.Os and R.C.D.s. Does one exist in printed paper form already?


Z.


  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    Hi Zoomup,


    By day I'm a graphic designer who would do this kind of work (installation manuals, manufacturing guides, etc.) and speaking from this stance unless it's provided from on high it's too much trouble for anyone else to get involved in. If it's too detailed it'll be out of date by the time it's in circulation, and if it's too general you would wonder whether it's worth the effort when others are already doing something similar.


    There's also an unforeseen side-effect of handing someone a manual which possibly gives them a sense that they can tinker where they shouldn't. Instructions for individual components are (mostly) easily found and anyone wishing to know this can source them. As for how the whole installation works, wouldn't that be different for each install?


    All I can imagine being practical, for homeowners, is a guide on the basics such as: this is the main switch; this is an MCB, here's what it does; this is an RCD, here's what it does; and when X happens, do/don't do Y and call Z for help.


    On the other hand, if you really do want to produce a guide like this, here's my card ;o)
  • 0

    Neil O'Rourke:

    Hi Zoomup,


    By day I'm a graphic designer who would do this kind of work (installation manuals, manufacturing guides, etc.) and speaking from this stance unless it's provided from on high it's too much trouble for anyone else to get involved in. If it's too detailed it'll be out of date by the time it's in circulation, and if it's too general you would wonder whether it's worth the effort when others are already doing something similar.


    There's also an unforeseen side-effect of handing someone a manual which possibly gives them a sense that they can tinker where they shouldn't. Instructions for individual components are (mostly) easily found and anyone wishing to know this can source them. As for how the whole installation works, wouldn't that be different for each install?


    All I can imagine being practical, for homeowners, is a guide on the basics such as: this is the main switch; this is an MCB, here's what it does; this is an RCD, here's what it does; and when X happens, do/don't do Y and call Z for help.


    On the other hand, if you really do want to produce a guide like this, here's my card ;o)




    Hello Neil,

                        yes I was thinking about a simple instruction manual describing what the main switch does, and what the other items in a consumer unit do. Nothing too complicated and nothing to do with altering the fixed wiring. Tenants in rented property may not be technically minded people. Some young people just do not have a clue about consumer units, but they are by no means the exception. Ignorance is universal and  non-age related. Why should landlords assume that tenants automatically know about the function of a consumer unit? Also there is the matter of testing the R.C.D. and/or R.C.B.O.s on a regular basis. Perhaps a mention about smoke and heat alarms and testing could be included as well.


    Z.

  • 0
    Sensible comments, Z, but who is responsible for the testing? I would have expected the Landlord to be the responsible person here rather than the tenant. The rest I would agree with, though, as being a sensible approach.
  • 0
    You do not provide instructions for a door lock, because it is common knowledge, but you may for a lock on a safe with 2 keys and a time switch.

    Similarly 'here is how you change a bulb' may be common knowledge, but even so, maybe not for all designs of fitting .

    Then 'how to set up the heating timer' seems to need a 3 week course in some cases, many are far from intuitive, so folk leave the heat on and the windows open instead.

    Your lights and sockets are protected by different circuit breakers that may trip off if there is too much plugged in or if a lamp short circuits when the bulb blows, 

    here is how you can see of one has tripped.

    If there is a fire or serious problem the whole installation can be disconnected at the mains switch, and everything will go off.


    You need a place to stick in photos and add things like where things are, as 'in the broom cupboard/ under the sink/ next door' may apply as required.

    A plastic pouch you put it all in, or these days a web address with the detailed data for for your house would be the way forward.

    Am  the only one to have left an envelope by the CU with wiring data ?
  • 0
    I leave a circuit schedule and underneath an explanation of MCBs, RCDs & RCBOs.

    Concise but informative to the degree that does not swamp them with info is my aim.

    Aim accomplished ? . A (possibly deluded) Yes
  • 0

    Alasdair Anderson:

    Sensible comments, Z, but who is responsible for the testing? I would have expected the Landlord to be the responsible person here rather than the tenant. The rest I would agree with, though, as being a sensible approach.




    Well, the test buttons on smoke alarms are easy for the amateur to operate. Some have a silence facility as well, so it may be necessary to educate users that two functions are incorporated withing one push button.  Also the test buttons on R.C.Ds are designed to be operated by untrained people. You do not have to be a trained electrician to use an R.C.D. test button. But what happens when you press it, and how to turn the switch back on  may be an unfamiliar operation to the tenants. If the consumer unit is at high level or hidden in a cupboard then the R.C.D. testing may be ignored.


    I can't see many landlords getting an electrician in every 6 months to test R.C.D.s. 514.12.2



    Z.

  • 0
    After Christmas, I may put up a photo of a workspace where I sometimes work where a trailing socket has been plugged into a floor socket and the flex is subject to being run over by an ordinary office wheeled chair. The subject came up for discussion this week, but happily I was sitting at the other end of the table.


    Then I wondered whether the socket is RCD protected.


    ​​​​​​​Building is mid-60s public sector.


    I happened to bump into the boss and expressed my concerns. "Do you know what an RCD is?" "No." (So when did she last press the test button at home? ? )


    Then I enquired of the security staff what happens if a circuit trips. They call in the maintenance team (Mitie).


    I am just so tempted to take my MFT into work and do an RCD test. ??
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member

    Zoomup:



    Hello Neil,

                        yes I was thinking about a simple instruction manual describing what the main switch does, and what the other items in a consumer unit do. Nothing too complicated and nothing to do with altering the fixed wiring. Tenants in rented property may not be technically minded people. Some young people just do not have a clue about consumer units, but they are by no means the exception. Ignorance is universal and  non-age related. Why should landlords assume that tenants automatically know about the function of a consumer unit? Also there is the matter of testing the R.C.D. and/or R.C.B.O.s on a regular basis. Perhaps a mention about smoke and heat alarms and testing could be included as well.


    Z.


     




    Hi Zoomup,


    I think this is something that the regulatory bodies should supply to you or the householder as they have the regulatory and legal mandate to do so. While I'm in total agreement with you I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole for fear of some idiot running with that advice, harming themselves and pointing to the given information as the reason.


    The information is already out there in some good plain English and having it in leaflet form might be a start: https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guidance/safety-around-the-home/fuseboxes-explained/


    "Ignorance is universal"... ha!!

  • 0
    Hello Neil,

                         that Electrical Safety First link is a good one. I like Electrical Safety First and refer to it occasionally. I suppose that leaving manufacturers' info. leaflets with the customer is o.k. I normally do that with new smoke alarms and new R.C.D.s etc. Also I plaster Chapter 51 warning notices all over consumer units. I find that very therapeutic and satisfying. 


    Z.
  • 0
    Whilst this all sounds very good in principle, it may well be a bad idea, because if there is any tiny deviation from the actual installation or changing regulations you may find yourself liable for adverse outcomes.


    To give an example, if you have a general anesthetic in hospital you will be given a longish sheet saying that some outcomes may not be very safe for you, and you could be considerably bad, even dead. You may have seen on TV recently a chap who had a bad outcome, in that he could feel some actions of his operation, and wanted to sue everyone in sight as they were negligent he says. Everything he complained about will be on that sheet, which he will have signed as risks he was prepared top take. His choice, sign or no operation. It is becoming close to the time where we may need a disclaimer on electrical work, because some people think one can abuse the installation and it is always someone else's fault! No win - No fee should never have been permitted, unfortunately it came from the USA and some lawyers loved it.

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