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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.
Capture2.JPG
  • 0
    Sparkingchip:

    I assume that the socket circuits have been taken off the RCD side of the consumer unit leaving all the circuits without any RCD protection, rather than sorting out the problems within the installation. 


    I see what you mean. RCD was originally 18 mm to the left with the two MCBs to the right of it. Now there is nothing on the load side of the MCB, so plugging in tester to a socket definitely isn't going to trip it in a month of Sundays. So we have I&T with no inspection in the CU!


    DZ, where are you?


  • 0
    Basically it's presenting as a poorly maintained electrical installation and was in need of inspection and testing prior to repair and possibly upgrading. 


    The schedule of test results indicate the EICR is not fit for purpose. 


    You have probably wasted your £99 and need to get an electrician in to sort the installation out and prepare another EICR. 


    Post a picture of the observations and let's see if he had actually explained what the issues are. 


  • 0
    The Devil's in the cooker. (Quatermass).

  • 0
    Sparkingchip:

    Basically it's presenting as a poorly maintained electrical installation and was in need of inspection and testing prior to repair and possibly upgrading. 


    The schedule of test results indicate the EICR is not fit for purpose. 


    You have probably wasted your £99 and need to get an electrician in to sort the installation out and prepare another EICR. 


    Post a picture of the observations and let's see if he had actually explained what the issues are. 


     


    It certainly is just a load of rubbish, insulation readings across L and N never told place, r1+r2 for rings are wrong, apparently not a lot was tested. Looks like they just want to make money out of a board change. Then again for £99 what do you expect? 


  • 0
    I suspect the RCD is not even powered up and is off the busbar, it may be possible there’s nothing wrong with the RCD and has been removed because it kept tripping due to issues either a socket circuit or appliance that has not been sorted out.
  • 0
    The two main switches is not cause for concern one will be 24hr supply the other the off peak - at least both isolate in the same place so sort of regs compliant.


    Well spotted, I agree the labels suggest something is up and the RCD has been moved along at some point, or the original label writer was unable to count positions.


    A photo with the lid off would probably reveal more - it may indeed not trip on a plug in tester just because it is now just a decorative.feature and the sockets are not fed through it.



    Mike.
  • 0
    I am here.

    That is far from a competent EICR, it is being used to make money as usual. I suggest you write a review of this man pointing out that the EICR is not competent within the meaning of BS7671 and is therefore valueless. Did you agree to all those limitations in the inspection? If not he has not done the job at all! I would demand the £99 back as well because this is a ripoff. I presume the new quote is for a full set of AFDDs too, I'd like to see that for my "black" book pile.
  • 0
    What a waste of time that report is. Out of 13 circuits there are only 10 actual test results recorded on the sheet. I would definitely be asking for my money back as he tested nothing, and didn't spend any time looking for circuits, despite the board being quite well labelled up. Typical example of how the EICR has been used for job creation, he had already decided to replace the board before he even got out of the van
  • 0
    I think someone is "having a giraffe"
  • 0
    90 minutes is very comprehensive. ?

    Round here they do them over the phone!

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