electrical.theiet.org/.../

Clearly the person carrying out the inspection and test does not know the difference between a Departure and a Non-Compliance.

My copy of BS EN 50565-1:2014 says.

Hope this helps?

JP

JP just beat me to it. What exactly is the non-compliance? Has flex been used in fixed wiring?

BS 7671 only seems to refer to BS EN 50565-1 for "the description of light, ordinary and heavy duty types" of flexible cables. No other requirements of that standard appear to be 'called up' by BS 7671. As an EICR is done to the requirements of BS 7671 - so unless BS 7671 explicitly refers to requirements of other standards, those requirements are, I would suggest, not an EICR matter.

the code can't be negated

There must be some mechanism for challenging mistakes in any system...

   - Andy.

The query here is not that flexibles have been used - we all agree that that is permitted, I think. The question is what standards should the flexible cable have stamped on the side of it, and here it seems the warm fuzzy glow given  by seeing the right letters  in the jacket is not present.

However, on its own that is at most a C3 -  it's only a hard failure if the cable is in some technical way inadequate - perhaps it is mains wired in telephone wire, or aluminium cored network cable, or just a normal flex but the cross-section is not compatible with the load current, or it fails an insulation check, or is unsuited to the location.

If none of these is true then It is possible that the inspector is not functioning correctly, and should be replaced.

Mike.

Tolly said:

"Flexible cable has been used to wire installation which is a departure from BS EN 50565-1:2014".

However, 7671 permits the use of flexible cables in fixed wiring, as discussed in issue 95 of Wiring Matters. 

Just because BS 7671 permits the use of flexible cables, it doesn't mean they are suitable for use everywhere and anywhere.

Without further information (i.e. specific circumstances of the use of the cables), no-one can say whether the EICR coding is correct or not (although Code C2 is quite serious, one would assume it's a real problem??). Specifically, BS EN 50565-1:2014 says;

• (4.4.5) Flexible cables shall not be used as fixed wiring unless they are contained in an enclosure affording mechanical protection, with the following two exceptions:
   - final connection to fixed equipment when the duty type of the cable is at least ordinary duty or higher;
   - fixed installations in temporary buildings when the duty type of the cable is heavy duty.
  But BS 7671 does not define 'fixed wiring', nor does BS EN 50565-1, and nor does IEC 60050 ... and 4.4.1 of BS EN  50565-1 requires flexible cables to be used to connect mobile equipment (is this 'fixed wiring' ... who knows?). To be fair, BS 7671 does define 'fixed equipment' (and since wiring is electrical equipment, I suppose that might do). Again, caravans seem OK wired in H03 and H05 ?
  
• (4.4.6) Flexible cables shall not be installed in plaster
•  (4.4.10) Thermoplastic covered cables shall not be used for welding, this includes both industrial arc welding and hobby welding.
  Although my arc welder came with a thermoplastic mains cable fitted ... so it's OK for the equipment, not the installation?
  
• (4.4.11) Flexible thermoplastic cables are not suitable for permanent use outdoors.
  Although H05VV-F seems to be supplied with most caravans and motor homes and seems to do OK ... but I guess it's not "permanent"??

As Graham mentions, the choice of  H coding of cable types can be important, and it can cause confusion to the unwary - but there is a pattern and I find a table similar to this one  to be helpful. Note that Neoprene (PCP PolyChloroPrene) and PVC PolyVinylChloride both generate nasty fumes in a fire, but PCP is much tougher against abrasion and cuts, and also lasts much better under UV light than PVC - which is usually cheaper.  Thermally both are very much the same, so current ratings are unchanged.

That's the crux of my issue - if the use of flexible cables in the given scenario is acceptable, then what to do about remedial work? Seems a shame to have the upheaval of replacing them, if they're acceptable, but that leaves a C2 unresolved, on paper at least. 

Yes, but you still have not told us how the flexible cables are being used. How are they installed, how big are they, and what current are they expected to carry?

If you want to keep the cables and cannot get the EICR amended, you will to get another one. If you do remedy the non-compliance, you will need an EIC or MEIWC to demonstrate that the work complies.

Here's a couple of pictures that have been supplied (the lack of earthed switches is yet another issue).