Holiday Flats - electrical test - consumer units - supply cables - very worried!!!!

[john999uk]

I have a semi detached block of 5 holiday flats and the one I live in. When renewing the insurance a lot of companies want an electrical installation safety test certificate. So I have been reading up and it looks like I need to get tested asap.
I am worried I might need a complete rewire and new incoming supply.
Basically 100amp supply fuse (never blown in 7 years), to meter then to a 6 way consumer unit with 6 x 40 MCB's. Then to each flat. Each flat has 4 way consumer unit. 1x 9Kw cooker, 1x 7.5Kw shower, 1 ring and 1 light circuit. All on rewireable fuses and no RCD!!!

I have a couple of electricians coming early next week but I am worried about potential cost and remedial work might be required.

Can you tell me if the cabling, earths, and fittings pass their respective tests am I just looking at changing the 6 consumer units for modern ones with MCB's and RCD's.
Any ideas if I will have to have a new, maybe 3 phase supply?

I am very worried at the potential expense as I was not expecting it.

Can anyone help by suggesting what work might be required and how to tell a good electrician against a bad one?

Thanks for any help you can give.

 

[High Tower]

Re: Holiday Flats - electrical test - consumer units - supply cables - very worried!

It all depends what your insurance company requires, what you have described so far does not comply with the current regs......BUT..... the regs are NOT retrospective, so as long as certain things such as supplementary bonding are correct then the inspections should be worthy of a "satisfactory result" al be it with a few code 3 reports which represent a finding of: "does not comply with current regs and requires improvement". If your insurance just require a "satisfactory pass" then you may have to do very little. if they require a clean pass with no advisory codes then you are looking at a considerable cost.

I must add this is only indicative of what you have told us in your OP, any other issues such as broken accessories, cracked fittings, exposed conductive parts or poor test results will have to be rectified at your cost before any certificate can be issued.

If you are responsible for paying accommodation then it is always advisable to have regular ongoing maintenance of the electrical installation as it always works out cheaper in the long run.

 

[john999uk]

Re: Holiday Flats - electrical test - consumer units - supply cables - very worried!

Thanks very much for the post. I understand that giving advice/commenting on can only be based on what I posted but at least you confirmed that the regs are not retrospective provided certain things are satisfactory.
Must admit that the insurance company we have gone with don't require the cert but I want to be as safe as possible within reasonable costs. So thinking sooner we find out what is required sooner we can schedule remedial work.
The other insurance companies don't state on their policy documents what sort of pass they require so I will have to try and clarify that with them.
What is "supplementary bonding"?

Thanks again for all your help.

 

[High Tower]

Re: Holiday Flats - electrical test - consumer units - supply cables - very worried!

Thanks very much for the post. I understand that giving advice/commenting on can only be based on what I posted but at least you confirmed that the regs are not retrospective provided certain things are satisfactory.
Must admit that the insurance company we have gone with don't require the cert but I want to be as safe as possible within reasonable costs. So thinking sooner we find out what is required sooner we can schedule remedial work.
The other insurance companies don't state on their policy documents what sort of pass they require so I will have to try and clarify that with them.
What is "supplementary bonding"?

Thanks again for all your help.

Supp Bonding is the earth bonding of pipe work on central heating systems and bathrooms to name a few, its not required in most circumstances if you have a RCD, however as you do not, it is. so it needs to all be present and correct. It should not be confused with your main protective bonding conductors on the water main and gas main as these are always required.

 

[john999uk]

Re: Holiday Flats - electrical test - consumer units - supply cables - very worried!

Thanks very much. I very much doubt our supp bonding is correct so I guess I will have to get RCD's added or is it not that simple?

Once again thanks very much.

 

[MDJ]

Re: Holiday Flats - electrical test - consumer units - supply cables - very worried!

Best wait for the 2 sparks you have coming to take a look John, hopefully all won't be too bad, fingers crossed you may be okay and although will need to spend some money you may not require a rewire, what size cables are the sub-mains on the 40 amp rewireables?

 

[High Tower]

Re: Holiday Flats - electrical test - consumer units - supply cables - very worried!

Bonding can be added its not a problem, but a RCD may be the best course of action, im afraid that that's about all i can surmise and assume from your post, the rest is down to the electrician that you choose. feel free to come back if there is anything that your not sure about when they do your EICR.

 

[Farmelectrics]

Re: Holiday Flats - electrical test - consumer units - supply cables - very worried!

​full eicr hope it's not to much but it wants bringing up to date better to get it put right than someone getting hurt and taking you to court

 

[Guest55]

Re: Holiday Flats - electrical test - consumer units - supply cables - very worried!

i know a good spark in Blackpool.
his names Fred.
;-)

 

[john999uk]

Re: Holiday Flats - electrical test - consumer units - supply cables - very worried!

Thanks everyone. Don't worry I will get it tested and any remedial action taken asap. Don't want to put customers at risk or myself for that matter.

Biff do you want to quote? Hope that isn't against forum rules?

 

[Guest55]

Re: Holiday Flats - electrical test - consumer units - supply cables - very worried!

Biff do you want to quote?

thanks but im busy on a out of town contract.

 

[davelerave]

Re: Holiday Flats - electrical test - consumer units - supply cables - very worried!

not familiar with bs7671 but it doesn't sound that great to me
100amp SP supply feeding 6 units with shower,cooker and ring-that's a helluva lot
and no rcds on the instantaneous showers

 

[john999uk]

Re: Holiday Flats - electrical test - consumer units - supply cables - very worried!

Thanks very much everyone. Not sure how big sub-mains on the 40 amp rewireables are. Can't see them as they are behind the fuseboard.

Must admit that I am really concerned by the 100amp incoming as that would require digging up concrete etc. I assume the alternative is 3 phase?

 

[ayjay]

Re: Holiday Flats - electrical test - consumer units - supply cables - very worried!

it would cost a fortune to replace the single phase 240 supply to a 3 phase 415 volt supply john, and thats supposing there is availability anyway
it all has been ok so far with a 100amp supply then theres no probs
100 amps is a LOT!
i would definatly install a 30ma rcd within EACH unit (i live in one myself)
but better still install new consumer units with dedicated rcbo,s on power circuits, not the lighting
andy

 

[john999uk]

Re: Holiday Flats - electrical test - consumer units - supply cables - very worried!

Electrician visited today to have a look to enable him to quote for a EICR. Just on a visual look he says I need a new 100amp 3phase supply. Then 6 (6 flats) switch fuses next to new supply, then 16mm cable to each flat, then new consumer unit with mcb and rcd in each flat. That is providing that the fittings, cables and measurements are all OK within the flats.
It's 4 floors inc basement so long cable runs that will be done in 2 runs (front and rear of building). I am happy to do cable route preparation (getting floor boards up and making route for cables). I believe that the street mains supply is about 7 meters from current fuse board.

Anyone care to guess at a cost?

Cheers.

 

[tony mc]

Re: Holiday Flats - electrical test - consumer units - supply cables - very worried!

Brace yourself for the DNO' s cost re the 3 phase supply!

 

[john999uk]

Re: Holiday Flats - electrical test - consumer units - supply cables - very worried!

Oh no. Electrician 'guessed' at over £1000 for DNO 3 phase but 'didn't really know'. Any guesses at what that might cost? Is it possible/better to get trench dug myself or get DNO to do digging, if that is something they do?

 

[High Tower]

Dig any trenches across your own land yourself it will make it much cheaper!.
But you will need their guidance as to route, depth, with, preparation and ducting spec first.

Last 3ph conv I was involved in about a year ago was £3k

 

[Guest55]

Re: Holiday Flats - electrical test - consumer units - supply cables - very worried!

the elecy board will charge you between £6,000- £10,000 to convert to 3 phase depending on the level of work.
the fact that your main service fuse hasnt blown suggests you might not need it

 

[john999uk]

Re: Holiday Flats - electrical test - consumer units - supply cables - very worried!

OH sugar....... As for the current 100amp supply, although it has not blown I don't think it should really be supplying 6 electric cookers, 6x7.5kw showers not to mention 6 microwaves, 7 rings mains, 7 light circuits, 1 immersion heater to mention non of the potential loads!!! God knows why it has never blown. I know that diversity plays a part but 100amp supply with a potential for over 4 times that!!!!!!!

Anyone know if I can have a 3 phase supply fitted and still retain the single phase? Ideally so I can move 1 flat at a time over to the new supply? Otherwise it is going to be a night mare with no power till all main subs and new CU's are put in. Not to mention any additional work required that can't be seen until test.

This getting to be a nightmare....... Why hasn't the gov mandated that EICR's be carried out as part of a Home Information packs. Not that would have helped me

Cheers.