Fail EICR because of partial RCD protection

I thought new regulations only apply to new installations from the time they are introduced.

Generally the regs apply to work done, at the time it was done. So if you had a new addition to an old installation, the new work should comply with the current (new) regulations, even though the rest of the installation remains to the older standard.

For a periodic inspection (which results in an EICR) normally it is the current regulations that are used as a benchmark, regardless of the age of the installation. However not every non-conformity with the current regulations should result in an "fail" (unsatisfactory) result. Different things are graded differently - for instance a simple lack of 30mA RCD protection for domestic lighting circuits or soft sheathed cables concealed in walls would typically be coded C3 and not of itself result in an unsatisfactory outcome. However it's not always straight-forward - for instance the lack of RCD protection to bathroom lighting combined with a lack of supplementary bonding may result in a C2 (and an unsatisfactory outcome). So it not easy to say at a distance whether your inspector was entirely wrong or not (although I'd suspect a lack of clarity in explanation at the least).

There is indeed industry standard guidance on such matter - I'll try to dig it out when I've a bit of time unless someone else gets there first.

   -  Andy.

https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/professional-resources/best-practice-guides/#g4

Have a look here for a guide.  Best practice guide 4 is the one you want for an EICR. This is basically what we should be working to.

Gary

X LI said:

I’m confused about whether older houses need to meet the latest standards, because if so, wouldn’t every landlord with an older property have to replace their CU?

Potentially yes. Have you read the other recent thread about failing an EICR for lack of RCD protection?

The system does not quite work this way, but IMHO, it is inappropriate to keep issuing C3 for the same item. In a sense the inspector is saying, "I shall pass you today, but please get it fixed before the next inspection."

Parliament, in its wisdom, has decided that privately let properties must have a safe electrical installation.

Frankly, £640 including the EICR is very reasonable. Deduct the cost of the EICR, deduct income tax, and it does not amount to much for 5 years' peace of mind. Look at it as an investment, just like replacing an outdated kitchen appliance.

There is one alternative solution, which I do not recommend, but the immersion and garage circuits probably do not need RCD protection, so the CU could be rearranged.

Your lighting for your wet rooms are not Rcd protected this is one reason why I would put a c2 on your EICR cooker aswell  c3 on the Rcd type on other circuits 

You don’t need to change the board but will need to address the circuits that’s not Rcd protected most likely cheaper to upgrade fuseboard then changed the mcb’s to RCBOS 

Chris Pearson said:

but the immersion and garage circuits probably do not need RCD protection

Unless they're wired in T&E concealed in a wall <50mm deep ... which perhaps likely?

   - Andy.

Fair comment!

I would be interested to know why the previous inspector recommended a retest after only 3 years. 

Gary

It is what at the time was known as 'split load' or 'split board'.

The  other thing that would quite likely raise hackles now is it being a plastic bodied CU.

Is this the only non compliance with the whole installation or are there others ?

Another ugly fix might be to accquire and install a second RCD beside or  place of the main switch forming 2 RCD protected groups that may need some lighting circuits to share to make room.

 But again its a sticking plaster solution, longer term the whole CU will need to change to meet current regs. I suggest getting one with more ways so there is room for the likely upcoming solar power heat pump etc that will be needed in the coming decades.

Yes. in the modern world of domestic consumer units they seem to last about 25 years - not due to technical failure,  usually, just to the onward march of the no and type of things folk plug in.  ;-)

It used to be longer, in the early 1970s our predecessors  were taking out boards installed in the 1930s.

Mike.

The general guidance for a plastic CU is just a note if it isn't installed in a sole means of escape route or under the stairs. So not even a C3 recommend improvement.

Gary