EICR Query

A domestic installation is partly wired using flexible cables. These flexible cables have been coded a C2 on a recent condition report, the inspector noting in section K of the report:

"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. 

Replacing them seems pointless, but the code can't be negated, so how should this be handled in the remedial work?

Thanks.

Parents
  • 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.

Reply
  • 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.

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