c2 c3

On a condition report obviously the lighting circuit does not meet the 18th edition

(cable buried less than 50mm)

I'm assuming also no RCD protection, not in conduit or armoured cable…

But,  the regs themselves say you cannot fail a test due to the regs not being currently,met if they would have met the previous edition

Not really. It says it may well be safe for continued operation, but that implies some thinking about the detail of the situation as found during inspections

And, how can this then not be a C2?  and how could pretty much every old board not fail?

Well, I'd expect every installation pretty much to fail to meet something on the current regs.

That may or may not stop it being used.

The judgement you need to be qualified to make, is 

“ is it an immediate danger? ” >> C1

" is it likely  to become a C1 if something you think is very likely to happen, actually happens? >> C2

It it just a technical failure that is not a great risk given the way the installation is being used and   maintained ?  >> C3.

Now the same failure may be more or less serious in different settings - a classic is sockets not on RCD. In a location with lots of users, or damp, or poor control of what is being plugged in,  they are far more important, than on a socket supplying a few items of fixed equipment.

Now at least in my head, and other heads are available, the bar for C1 and C2 is quite bad, as they are ‘stop the job;’ levels of severity.

In your case, is the worry of folk nailing picture hooks into the wire ? - That would be more likely in a flat, say,  than in a commercial setting where someone is responsible for co-ordinating maintenance.

For your lighting in most environments a C3, elevate to a C2 only if cable damage or abuse is unusually likely to occur.

Mike.

On a condition report obviously the lighting circuit does not meet the 18th edition

(cable buried less than 50mm)

I'm assuming also no RCD protection, not in conduit or armoured cable…

But,  the regs themselves say you cannot fail a test due to the regs not being currently,met if they would have met the previous edition

Not really. It says it may well be safe for continued operation, but that implies some thinking about the detail of the situation as found during inspections

And, how can this then not be a C2?  and how could pretty much every old board not fail?

Well, I'd expect every installation pretty much to fail to meet something on the current regs.

That may or may not stop it being used.

The judgement you need to be qualified to make, is 

“ is it an immediate danger? ” >> C1

" is it likely  to become a C1 if something you think is very likely to happen, actually happens? >> C2

It it just a technical failure that is not a great risk given the way the installation is being used and   maintained ?  >> C3.

Now the same failure may be more or less serious in different settings - a classic is sockets not on RCD. In a location with lots of users, or damp, or poor control of what is being plugged in,  they are far more important, than on a socket supplying a few items of fixed equipment.

Now at least in my head, and other heads are available, the bar for C1 and C2 is quite bad, as they are ‘stop the job;’ levels of severity.

In your case, is the worry of folk nailing picture hooks into the wire ? - That would be more likely in a flat, say,  than in a commercial setting where someone is responsible for co-ordinating maintenance.

For your lighting in most environments a C3, elevate to a C2 only if cable damage or abuse is unusually likely to occur.

Mike.