A couple of questions RE the REGS

cashnotakite · Jun 5, 2010

I recently have made the move into the Domestic Electrical side having spent most of my working life in an Industrial background. Because of this there are a few things legally I am not sure of. Any help is appreciated.

Apologies in advance if this was in stickies but I could not find.

1)
If I have to do a periodic test on a fuseboard and there is a problem i.e. no main water bond/no RCD protection for bathroom or the 50mm rule on buried cable etc etc etc

- do I then test the board anyway and add immediate recommendation codes to rectify?

- OR instantly fail circuit or whole installation?

2)
If I have to do any installation on an existing board i.e. a new circuit, would I have to install a new board if there was no RCD protection at all (or get an RCD / RCBO)?

and if there was partial RCD protection on fuseboard but an existing circuit that needed RCD protection and not been placed on protected side is it my responsibility to change the circuits around as I would have been the last person to have worked on the board?

Lastly, is there anywhere in the REGS / OSG / HSWA that this is laid out in black and white?

This is all very confusing to someone who has spent most of their life metal munching

Sorry about the long question, thanks in advance!

Notsosmart · Jun 5, 2010

cashnotakite said:
I recently have made the move into the Domestic Electrical side having spent most of my working life in an Industrial background. Because of this there are a few things legally I am not sure of. Any help is appreciated.

Apologies in advance if this was in stickies but I could not find.

1)
If I have to do a periodic test on a fuseboard and there is a problem i.e. no main water bond/no RCD protection for bathroom or the 50mm rule on buried cable etc etc etc

- do I then test the board anyway and add immediate recommendation codes to rectify? Yes

- OR instantly fail circuit or whole installation? Not unless the installation is in a dangerous condition.

2)
If I have to do any installation on an existing board i.e. a new circuit, would I have to install a new board if there was no RCD protection at all (or get an RCD / RCBO)? No, only the circuit you have worked on. But backed up by PIR recommendations first.

and if there was partial RCD protection on fuseboard but an existing circuit that needed RCD protection and not been placed on protected side is it my responsibility to change the circuits around as I would have been the last person to have worked on the board? No, as the installation was probably ok for the edition of the regs at the time of the installation.

Lastly, is there anywhere in the REGS / OSG / HSWA that this is laid out in black and white? (I think)niceic 'guidance on inspection and testing' has relevant info. (I must dig it out someday)

This is all very confusing to someone who has spent most of their life metal munching
Sorry about the long question, thanks in advance!