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Can you replace just the RCD, instead of whole consumer unit?

Former Community Member
Former Community Member
My apartment failed it's EICR due to the electrician not being able to trip the RCD in the required time.  I am told that the RCD cannot be replaced and a new metal consumer unit must be installed at a quote of £1180.  The apartment was built in 2003 and seems overly wasteful to ditch the whole unit, however I am not an electrician so would welcome some guidance please before I commit to this remedial action.


This is the RCD currently fitted:
5760S | MK 63 A RCD Switch, Trip Sensitivity 30mA | RS Components (rs-online.com)


It appears it worked within spec for above 30mA, but failed for below, if that helps with whether the whole consumer unit must be replaced.  See report.
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  • 0
    Sparkingchip:

    Had I inspected and tested this flat it would be classed as unsatisfactory and I would state it needs further inspection and testing code FI because fault finding and any remedial work required is not part of the job of preparing an EICR.


    Let's forget the fact that you would need to do 4 of these in a day to make a half-decent wage and pretend that you are doing it for a reasonable fixed price. That is unless, of course you are happy with the EICR as a loss loser on the basis of the profit on remedials.


    So you start with your walk around and everything looks reasonably neat and tidy. You are a bit puzzled by the circuit labels, but all is revealed when you have isolated and taken the lid off the CU. We don't actually know what is there, but let's say that the RCD is simply blanking off a couple of ways. What next?


    I think that at the very least have to do your ring tests, IR, and Zs for those two rings. If they are not up to scratch, then you can FI them, but IMHO not before.


    The next bit depends upon whether the landlord or owner occupier is available or not.


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  • 0
    Sparkingchip:

    Had I inspected and tested this flat it would be classed as unsatisfactory and I would state it needs further inspection and testing code FI because fault finding and any remedial work required is not part of the job of preparing an EICR.


    Let's forget the fact that you would need to do 4 of these in a day to make a half-decent wage and pretend that you are doing it for a reasonable fixed price. That is unless, of course you are happy with the EICR as a loss loser on the basis of the profit on remedials.


    So you start with your walk around and everything looks reasonably neat and tidy. You are a bit puzzled by the circuit labels, but all is revealed when you have isolated and taken the lid off the CU. We don't actually know what is there, but let's say that the RCD is simply blanking off a couple of ways. What next?


    I think that at the very least have to do your ring tests, IR, and Zs for those two rings. If they are not up to scratch, then you can FI them, but IMHO not before.


    The next bit depends upon whether the landlord or owner occupier is available or not.


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