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Brand new and green
Former Community Member
Hi, I'm training to become fully qualified so know very little at the moment (just a domestic installer right now). I looked at my electrics and can see two lighting circuits not on either of my RCD's. I know this is not safe and wonder why, if I have two RCD's, are the lighting circuits not on them and also can I just add them to the busbar on each of the RCD's?
Hi, I'm training to become fully qualified so know very little at the moment (just a domestic installer right now).
Sorry, I’m struggling to accept that statement without wincing.
Have we frightened off RedSpark99?
I did wonder how one could be a domestic installer whilst knowing "very little" 'cos I think that we need to know quite a lot.
If there was a split board with only 1 RCD, I would expect the lighting to be on the unprotected side; but with 2 RCDs, it seems odd to have any unprotected ways. That is unless it is a "high integrity" set up in which case RCBOs might have been used.
I am puzzled. If RedSpark99 is still interested, a photograph might help.
I did wonder how one could be a domestic installer whilst knowing "very little" 'cos I think that we need to know quite a lot.
Agreed. I'm also a little dubious of the "fully qualified electrician" tag - there's such a wide scope to electrical work these days - from domestic to industrial, HV to building automation, Fire Alarms to heating systems (not to mention the dainty electronics inside many boxes these days), that it would be a rare beast indeed who was qualified in everything. It's just a matter of being competent in your chosen field & activity - however small or large you choose that to be.
I know, the IET are just as bad as the rest of them ?
Domestic Installer (England and Wales only)
Since the introduction of Part P of the Building Regulations (Electrical Safety-Dwellings) the definition of Domestic Installer has been established. In the electrical industry Domestic Installers are not considered to be electricians; they are not required to undergo the 4 years’ training an apprentice has to. However, many electricians are registered Domestic Installers.
A Domestic Installer is generally expected to have at least a minimal understanding of installing new electrical installations and be familiar with the current requirements of BS 7671. The level of experience that a domestic installer may have varies very broadly. Many domestic installers are fully qualified electricians and have a wealth of experience in the electrical industry. However, there are also many who have not completed an apprenticeship or gained the equivalent qualifications and experience as an electrician. In fact, there are centres that provide training for people new to the electrical industry with no prior experience whatsoever. To register as a Domestic Installer two qualifications are generally required:
Current Level 3 Award in the Requirements for Electrical Installations (17th Edition), and either
Level 3 Award in the Initial Verification and Certification of Electrical Installations, or
Level 3 Award in Approving Electrical Work in Dwellings in Compliance with Building Regulations.
These qualifications can be achieved relatively quickly with a recommended learning period of around 100 hours in total. That could be as little as 3 weeks depending on centre requirements and prior experience.
Domestic Installers will also be expected to provide evidence of work that they have carried out to demonstrate competence to an assessor from the scheme provider. The Domestic Installer generally chooses an installation that he or she would like to be inspected and makes the necessary preparations for the assessment.
