EICR coding for upside down accessories?

[Web84]

Hi,

I've gone in to a job as a 2nd opinion on a EICR done by a previous contractor. One of the issues was a C2 for an upside shower switch. It's a neon switch so although its not fitted right it's still obvious when it's on or off.

I've got same issue on with an upside down socket outlet.

Any advice?

 

[westward10]

Is there a particular reason they are mounted that way.

 

[Web84]

Socket... pass no obvious reason, the shower switch looks like it was fitted like that as it suited the length of the cables to reach the Neon side of load (load is too short to reach other side if switch if that makes sence)

 

[Julie.]

What regulation is being broken by not having the orientation the same as normal?

Most socket outlets for example aren't marked top/bottom, nor is it in the instructions, it's merely convention that dictates earth to the top. In reality if the outlet is close to a worktop or something, it makes more sense to be "upside down" as then the flex isn't bent sharply - especially with moulded plugs and their long strain relief.

If it doesn't break a regulation it shouldn't be a C2!

The switch may have a top/bottom - so in theory it isn't fitted in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, but that's all, certainly not a c2 for me. (The only orientation that's mandatory is the fireman's switch I think)

 

[telectrix]

mounted upside down wouldcomply with the current industry standard of "up for on".

 

[James]

If it has on and off marked on the front, you could argue that the text is illegible

 

[DPG]

What about things dropping into the plugtop via the cable entry hole?

 

[Strima]

I'd best go unplug my kitchen island sockets then...



And I'd best rip out any vertical PDUs I find in any racks...



What a complete load of ?

 

[pc1966]

In other countries is it common to have up as on, not down as we do. Also with two-way lights it depends on the other switch!

Personally I would not accept that for work done for me because it is a stupid thing to do here, but I can't really argue it is unsafe.

 

[DPG]

I'd best go unplug my kitchen island sockets then...

View attachment 64276

And I'd best rip out any vertical PDUs I find in any racks...

View attachment 64277

What a complete load of ?

Was just a point I thought I'd raise for discussion.

 

[brianmoooore]

It's not a C2, it's not even a C3. It's just another case of, at best, an electrician who is ignorant of the regulations, or, more likely, a dishonest electrician touting for unnecessary work.

 

[Strima]

Was just a point I thought I'd raise for discussion.

Wasn't aimed at you mate, just responding to the OP.

And having them upside down stops the electricity from falling out saving money in the long run... ?

 

[Julie.]

I'd best go unplug my kitchen island sockets then...

View attachment 64276

And I'd best rip out any vertical PDUs I find in any racks...

View attachment 64277

What a complete load of ?

Exactly, the only requirement is that it should be clearly identifiable between on and off,

Or in your example above - 0 (no elastictrickery) or -ve elastictrickery

?

 

[UNG]

This EICR coding is becoming farcical and I wonder how much more farcical it can get
Just before Christmas I was asked to look at an EICR that had coded unswitched sockets as a C2 because of no isolation

 

[Marvo]

If there's no air vents on or in the accessories and no manufacturers indication then I wouldn't see any reason they couldn't be mounted in various orientations as long as the users/owners are happy. If it's a room thermostat with air vents it could affect it's operation and accuracy. I guess same with circuit breakers that are vented top and bottom, mounting them sideways could affect the tripping curve slightly due to less air flow through them...in theory at least.