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17th edition design given 18th edition certifcate

Former Community Member
Former Community Member
Hello, I recently purchased a new build home on a small development; a rather unique situation has occurred that I thought was interesting and might interest some people here to discuss. It's still currently unresolved but progress is being made.


The house has a NICEIC BS 7671: 2018 domestic electrical installation certificate dated 5/2/20 with no departures identified; with the only comment being no water bond due to plastic pipework. I noticed that no SPD had been fitted so asked the contractor for the completed risk assessment to determine that it was not needed. Initially they did not know what I was on about and then said that no SPD was fitted due to the initial design being done in December 2018 to the 17th edition. So far so good!


However on the electrical designs I have there was a revision on 27/5/2019 and at my request I later paid for an additional £1700 of fixed LED lighting to be installed throughout on 20/11/2019. After bringing this up I was told it was still to the 17th and that "any subsequent revisions are based on the regulations in force at the time of the original design". The installation certificate includes these lighting changes as many more (20+) positions are served on the circuits, everything else seems to be as the 27/5/2019 revision design.


I then asked why a 18th edition certificate had been issued with no note of that the installation is actually to 17th design and standard and was told that they had used up all their 17th edition certificates during the grace period, that the NICEIC had advised them to use 18th edition certificates but place "n/a" on items pertaining to SPDs and that their response is to amend the existing certificate to note that the installation was carried out to the 17th edition regulations.


I can forgive that yes, even a brand new home can be delivered not to the latest regulation due to a design from a grace period (as always regulations can be updated quicker than projects) but I do not get a good feeling from the 18th edition certificate being issued on a 17th edition design and installation without any indication - certainly the other homeowners on the development may not be as keen on protecting their extra gizmos as I am!



 


  • 0
    Speaking of certs etc (sorry I`m off topic a bit) I remember once I went to a house to do a stairlift supply and a couple of additional sockets. It soon became apparent that the electrics had some faults, spur on spur on spur on a ring was one such.

    Apparently, the house had had a fire, insurers got a builder to do remdials, builder got "electrician" to do electrics. The Electrician had given a "certificate".

    The "certficate was an A4 sheet and printed on it was

    "This is to certify that the electrical wiring at XXXXXXXXXXXXX is in accordance with NICEIC wiring regulations".

    The insurers had paid the builders and insisted that the proprty was OK cos it had a certficate.
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    The design document drawing I do have labelled "for final comment" is by the same contractor that is listed on the installation certificate. Just a different name at the company.


    I just tested N to N with the socket switchs on and off and had continuity between itself and another adjacent socket - so I guess this is a single pole socket - against the manufacturers instructions for this in island extractor. So I think we've fallen down by about page 22 on that front.


    This is interesting because my kitchen is also a paid extra different to the electrical design so the in island extractor will be not be on the revised electrical  plan at all.
  • 0
    Newbuild:

    I just tested N to N with the socket switchs on and off and had continuity between itself and another adjacent socket - so I guess this is a single pole socket - against the manufacturers instructions for this in island extractor. So I think we've fallen down by about page 22 on that front.


    BS 1363 sockets are not obliged to switch N, but the better quality ones (such as MK) do, so the solution may be as simple as replacing the socket outlet.


    The local estate agents tell me that there is a 10% premium on a new house. Hm, 10% extra for the pleasure of snagging!


  • 0
    It’s a plug in a socket, unplug it.
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    Yes easy to replace the socket. The manual calls for two pole switch. It's on a ring with the plate warmer, fridge, freezer, microwave, dishwasher, kitchen sockets etc.


    In practice would just unplug it.
  • 0
    The other alternative is to cut a hole in the end panel of the island unit and install a double pole switched fused connection unit in it.
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    Luckily access is given by removing the drawer blank, everything else is solid quartz.
  • 0
    One think I never liked about the old MK sockets they were always SP switching, wheras crabtree and contactum were DP switching for years

  • 0
    Rest assured, if you insist on an accessible double pole switch, the electrician can make a hole in a quartz clad panel on the end of the island.
  • 0
    Sparkingchip:

    It’s a plug in a socket, unplug it.


    i.a.w. Table 537.4 but I wouldn't put it past a kitchen fitter to box it in.


    Daughter told me last week that they intend to get put on to mains water because the pressure in the private supply is inadequate for a shower. I wonder what the water board will make of the stop cock which has been completely enclosed?


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