RCD Protection For Old Installations

AJJewsbury: 
 

So, have the Government made the IET and BSI responsible for setting the standards?

 

As for the OP's situation, it doesn't seem that difficult to me (although I may be missing something). There are plenty of industry guides to refer to (some of least I'm sure have been prepared with IET co-operation).  I think (but to check) that most list the ommission of 30mA RCD protection as:

• for sockets (≤32A) - C2 if they're likely to supply equipment outdoors, C3 otherwise
• for cables concealled in walls - C3
• for domestic lighting circuits generally - C3
• for bathrooms - C3 if any required supplementary bonding is present & correct, C2 otherwise,

(occasionally c.p.c.s. and/or main bonding can satisfy the requirements for main bonding explicit supplementary bonding conductors)

So as long as you end up with no C2s (or C1s or FIs) you can issue an EICR with a satisfactory.

To my mind there should be no difference between an EICR produced for a rented properly as to any other produced to the same version of BS 7671. BS 7671 doesn't change between private rented and anything else, so neither should the corresponding EICR. 

   - Andy.

I did not see any supplementary bonding there. Which makes it C2 in this case. 

Sparkingchip: 
 

First off, there has to be accessible tails to insert an upfront RCD, within flats this is rarely possible as they are usually concealed. 

Secondly, regardless of if you are inserting an upfront RCD into the tails or replacing the fuse board there may well be issues with isolation whilst working. 

Next there is the lack of segregation of the installation, one small issue takes everything out. 

Also whilst agreeing an all RCBO consumer unit may be over the top, who is going to sign the disclaimer for omitting a surge protection device?

Exactly right, tails are away in the riser with all meters tightly fitted to the trunking, so not really an ideal setup for upfront RCD. 

GTB: 
 

Sparkingchip: 
 

There are no set rules, so you have to make a decision and be able to justify your reasons for coding it as you did.

So, is it a house with a garden and driveway where people may be using electrical gardening tools and equipment or washing a car with an electric pressure washer?

Is it a flat without access to any outdoor areas?

 

 

Karolis what experience do you already have of carrying out EICR's? Have you just done a handful, hundreds or thousands? have these been in residential premises, landlord premises, commercial, industrial etc? Have you attended any formal inspection and testing courses?

So forget you are doing for now this EICR on this landlords property. And you were inspecting an commercial or industrial property with the exact same age of installation, method of installation and protection methods, how would you code that installation?

GTB

 

More of a handful,  I do not practice now full time as an electrician anymore, so doing just some odd jobs when requested. I`ve done mostly domestic, a few landlord, and a couple of commercials, but mostly new or with rcd protection installations. This is the first one where the line is so thin to distinguish the best outcome. 

Yes, I have 2391. 

No commercial or industrial of the same age. 

Domestic of the same age yes, but still it had RCD fitted, in a split board, with couple spare slots. The board in question does not have even one slot left.

Do you have PII should there be a claim against your decision?

Regards

BOD

Since there is no supplementary bonding in the bathroom, then essentially just lighting circuit could be upgraded to RCBO and sockets coded C3, as they are not used for anything outdoors and Zs readings are good, connections on 4 sockets that I`ve opened were solid, just a bit of contact resistance as they are quite old, so took time to get good readings. 

just a bit of contact resistance as they are quite old, so took time to get good readings. 

Would the user, under fault conditions, have the luxury of several attempts?

Regards

BOD

perspicacious: 
 

Do you have PII should there be a claim against your decision?

Regards

BOD

What does that mean exactly? 

Karolis Meskunas: 
 

perspicacious: 
 

Do you have PII should there be a claim against your decision?

Regards

BOD

What does that mean exactly? 

If you are installing i.a.w. somebody else's design, you just need public liability insurance - let's say in case a plumber trips over a cable and falls downstairs.

However, if you are designing or expressing any sort of professional opinion, it is wise to be insured in case you mess up.

Chris Pearson: 
 

Karolis Meskunas: 
 

perspicacious: 
 

Do you have PII should there be a claim against your decision?

Regards

BOD

What does that mean exactly? 

If you are installing i.a.w. somebody else's design, you just need public liability insurance - let's say in case a plumber trips over a cable and falls downstairs.

However, if you are designing or expressing any sort of professional opinion, it is wise to be insured in case you mess up.

Sorry, just the abbreviation got me confused, got those!