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Question about Who can do what and minor works certs

Former Community Member
Former Community Member
I have a couple of questions regarding small electrical works in a house, who can do them and whether a minor works cert is needed.

 

im trying to nail down an answer to the following. 


i) Can a plumber / non-electrician  replace a broken immersion heater in a water cylinder. i.e. unwire old one from the fused spur and wire in new one to fused spur? Is an qualified electrician needed? Is a minor works cert needed?


ii) With regard to replacing a like for like electric shower in a bathroom that has broken….can a plumber / non-electrician do this? Or is a plumber needed for wet part and electrician for electric side. Again, is a minor works certificate needed.


iii) With regard to replacement of a central heating component such as a zone valve or cylinder stat….is a minor works cert needed ? Can this work be undertaken by a plumber / non-electrician?


I’m trying to work out what plumbing works can be undertaken by anyone / a non-electrician and what works require both trades.


in the plumbing / heating trade there is cross over. 


Many thanks for your time
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  • 0
    Thank you for an interesting question. It brings to mind the strict trade demarcations which were so damaging to industry in the sixties.


    I would happily have done any of those at home before I had any electrical training, but that is not the same as doing it for trade. If there is any possibility of doubt, take photographs before you disturb anything.


    Immersion heater: why go so far as replacing the flex if it appears to be sound? If a tradesman, EAWR 1989 apply, so you have to be clear about safe isolation when you open up the FCU. A diligent electrician would check Zs and RCD function on completion. However, that should have been verified when the circuit was installed and unless there are obvious signs of damage, it may be assumed that the rest of the circuit is sound. Turning the question on its head, are we clear that an electrician could remove an immersion heater safely, especially with a non-vented system?


    Shower: pretty much the same considerations apply.


    Cylinder stat: very easy. Just ensure that the wires go to the same terminals as previously. Functional test only on completion.


    Zone valve: rather more complex. They usually come with a multicore flex attached and you need to know your way around an S-plan (or other) junction box.


    If in trade, make sure that your insurance covers the proposed work.
Reply
  • 0
    Thank you for an interesting question. It brings to mind the strict trade demarcations which were so damaging to industry in the sixties.


    I would happily have done any of those at home before I had any electrical training, but that is not the same as doing it for trade. If there is any possibility of doubt, take photographs before you disturb anything.


    Immersion heater: why go so far as replacing the flex if it appears to be sound? If a tradesman, EAWR 1989 apply, so you have to be clear about safe isolation when you open up the FCU. A diligent electrician would check Zs and RCD function on completion. However, that should have been verified when the circuit was installed and unless there are obvious signs of damage, it may be assumed that the rest of the circuit is sound. Turning the question on its head, are we clear that an electrician could remove an immersion heater safely, especially with a non-vented system?


    Shower: pretty much the same considerations apply.


    Cylinder stat: very easy. Just ensure that the wires go to the same terminals as previously. Functional test only on completion.


    Zone valve: rather more complex. They usually come with a multicore flex attached and you need to know your way around an S-plan (or other) junction box.


    If in trade, make sure that your insurance covers the proposed work.
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