Cirrus your last post is bang on mate, it's all down to how you explain in laymans terms what is needed to the customer & like you say when you mention testing & certificates their eyes light up.
It's amazing how many people I'm now getting on the phone asking if I can issue a certificate for some work they've had done by someone else, I must be averaging 2 a week at the moment, so i suspect that the local BCO is on the case & chasing uncertified work.
The 17th edition........why all the fuss, when you look at it what has actually changed?
(1) RCD's well most sparks I know have been fitting them as matter of course for socket outlet / shower circuits for the past 4-5 years even though they weren't a requirement in some cases going by 16th, but they went in all the same. (so no real change there).
(2) change to testing. again you should have been doing this anyway, the only bit thats changed are various values.
(3) Supplimentary bonding. Couldnt be better for the muppets that didnt understand it, put in equipotential bonds & bin the supplimentary.
(4) Changed layout of the regs (heard lads whine about this at the counter). well if you cant find anything in the regs you need a new line of work, the numbering system is simple to follow.
(5)
EEBADS to
ADS why complain it's a name change, more of a name drop really.
(6)
Direct contact to
basic protection. couldnt be simpler, what is the most basic protection in the electrical world "INSULATION" what does insulation stop you doing, thats right comming in to direct contact with live parts.
(7)
Indirect contact to
Fault protection. self explanitory now
(8) Bathroom zones. we are now down to 2, again something to make the life of electricians a little easier.
(9) New sections in the regs. a good thing it tightens up & give some clarity on such things as ufh, pv systems & of course dodgems
amongst other things.
What I'm trying to say is, yes there are lots of changes but they do seem to be in the favour of making our lives as electricians a little easier, but some of the changes you will have already put into practice long before the regs were changed. Why because if enough people do things a certain way it will become the norm (rcd's on sockets for example).
Extra cost for doing work to 17th
. What extra cost (unless you are running everything in earthed galv tube) if you are paying over the odds for 17th cu's or rcbo's might I advise you to shop around, I'm getting 17th cu's for pretty much the same cost as i was paying for a splitload unit.
I make a point of explaining to customers that they will be getting a quality job to the latest regulations by a qualified/approved electrician, they then (to date) have no problems with the quotes.
CU changes are all ways precceded (16th & now 17th) by a quick test of existing circuits so any potential problems come to light then, again a truthful explanation in terms the customer can understand does the trick (I've got 2 next week that have faults on rings that I have to repair before cu changes..cost to customer £35ph + parts).
A. Its here, it aint gonna go away - stop your sniveling and whinging, start acting like the qualified tradesmen that you puport to be and GET ON WITH IT
B. Its the customers job to whinge about the cost, and its its your job as the expert to explain to them why things have to be done the way they have to be done - even if you dont neccasarily agree with the rules
C. Accept that rules are rules. Did you comply with the 16th edition? Did you comply with the 15th edition? Yes? Then what the hell makes you think the 17th is any different? If you are an installation electrician, then the rules governing your trade are laid down in BS7671. Plumbers and gas fitters have their rules. Lawyers and doctors have thier rules. Everyone, in every line of work has freekin rules. And BS7671 lays down your rules. If you are an electrician you follow your rules. And if you dont, you are NOT an electrician, just another cowboy.
D. I remember when the 16th came out- whinge, whine, moan, then get on with it. You've whinged, whined and moaned, and soon you will pull you boots up, accept the rules will not be changed for another 15-20 years and start acting like proffesional tradesman instead of pouting kids who lost their dummys
Couldn't agree more Shakey me old mucca.
Walking from a cu change
give a price for all the work needed...if they dont take the quote so what you've lost nothing.