SPD on EICR today with 2 red indicator lights

type 2 domestic FUSEBOX SPD on EICR today with 2 red indicator lights  the older range ( new range has one SPD )

I was of the opinion to C3 what do all reckon ?

regards

  • Yes, nothing more than a C3. No danger to people or livestock, unless its in a hospital or other environment where surges could take out essential equipment, could be rather annoying if electronic kit got zapped during a surge. If there were to be very expensive electronic kit there, it shouldnt be protected by a single SPD anyway. Inform the customer, give them a price to repair it.

  • In my opinion the absence of a surge protection device (SPD) is classified as a C3 fault in an EICR. There are questions there i.e what protective devices are installed in the CU (RCBO's ,AFDD's ?) and where the property is located , close to open field , rural area etc. Have you performed the testing of circuits installed in that CU including the protecting devices in order to establish any unusual activities like transient overvoltage since the SPD has blown off? In my opinion, either there have been a surge for the spd to blow off or it simply decided to fail. Although this condition is not immediately dangerous, it is strongly recommended for improvement.

    The current edition of the IET Wiring Regulations, BS 7671:2018, states that unless a risk assessment is carried out, protection against transient overvoltage shall be provided where the consequence caused by overvoltage could:

    • Result in serious injury to, or loss of, human life; or
    • Result in interruption of public services and/or damage to cultural heritage; or
    • Result in interruption of commercial or industrial activity; or
    • Affect a large number of co-located individuals.
  • states that unless a risk assessment is carried out, protection against transient overvoltage shall be provided

    Other way around I think ,. (and I think your list has missed a corrigendum/amendment or two) - where an overvoltage could result in serious injury or loss of human life, or significant financial or data loss then SPDs must be provided - only in other cases may they be omitted (by the owner of the installation declaring the risks are acceptable).

       - Andy.

  • Be careful that the module gets replaced with the right sort there are the SPD T1 and T2- from memory the two windows one has a gas tube between the N and E, not a MOV, and is preferred for TT installations. To trip both is impressive, or two independent events some time apart.
    They are marketed as if you can change the plug-in module, leaving the wiring intact, in practice finding anywhere selling just the bare modules seems to be rare.
    Mike.

  • In my opinion the absence of a surge protection device (SPD) is classified as a C3 fault in an EICR.

    I disagree - they are not required in every installation.

    However, I would suggest that a distinction should be made where one is fitted, but has blown. At the very least, the customer needs to be informed. It could just be an observation with no code, but you choose what is best for you.

  • Be careful that the module gets replaced with the right sort

    All the ones I've fitted recently seem to have some kind of keying - often an odd shaped peg that fits into a similarly odd shaped hole in the carrier. They do look a little flimsy though.

       - Andy.

  • That was the reply from the question raised if there will be a C3 code for the blown SPD in this instance.

    When I can agree that in some installation the SPD is not required, you will see in all new builds apartments and dwellings the SPD installation comes as standard installation in CU.