richardg
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Hi and good evening to all, I have just completed my 4th domestic EICR and I love the challenge discovering how someone has wired a system and how its been tampered with over the years. Having passed my 2394 2395 I feel I know enough theory but lack the expertise and would love some feedback from the experienced elders!
My lastest EICR was on a 4 bedroom victorian house wired 15-20ish years ago with no certs available.(Hager split load) The inspection lasted around 6 hours and flagged up some interesting results. First of I would like to list the order I approached the house.
1)Talk to owner establish history-type of use before they bought it and additions or faults they know about. Lock dogs away!
2)Determine locations of CCU and gas water services.
3)Visual inspection of CCU type and quantity of circuits. (decipher some scribbles)
4)Walk around property to visually check circuits + fittings + VSE - agree LIM's with owner
5)record circuits on paperwork and determine max Zs of each circuit
6)Let the owner know electrics will be off. Find out if labels on CCU match circuits by isolating a circuit at a time
7)Safely isolate whole system followed by a visual check of 50% of sockets and lights and switches - increase if problems found
8)Ze test and equal-potential bonding + polarity of incoming supply +all mcbs in line phase only + PSSFC PEFC
9)link out busbar and earth to perform R1+R2 on radial circuits (testing at furthest point if known) check polarity
10)ringmain end to end test then method 2 using a wander lead for R2 reading
11)insulation test on whole install if possible aware of any LIMs and VSE
12)Zs on each circuit and socket
13)RCD test followed by Ramp and functional.
14)replace all VSE equipment
AS experienced elders do you concentrate on one circuit at a time or perform each step on all circuits?
Having read many of the posts concerning EICR's some people state the wiring should not be disturbed - step 10 would then be impossible. What are your thoughts?
Having bought the new megger which can perform R1+R2 on a energised circuit would this be acceptable when the lovely inspectors come out to watch me?
The inspection progressed quiet smoothly until I found 2 circuits with no terminators (old shower and immersion heater removed with the circuits still energised) Then a broken ring popped up so I noted on TestS open r1 r2 rn.
Then the fun really started when the owner mentioned the light bulbs keep blowing regularly. At the switches R2 was fine but showing open at the light fittings. Noted on TestS. When the system was re-energised I performed the Zs at the light switches as no CPC at fitting. I doubled checked with my tester and found the light phase was showing 123Volts and voltage also showing on the neutral. How would this be possible? In series with other lights?
When performing a EICR and you find a fault do you dig around or just note it down and pass on your recommendations.
The owner has asked me to come back and rectify the problems, do you normally charge an investigation fee to determine the faults and then a separate quote to perform any remedial works?
Looking forward to your replies .:wink5:
My lastest EICR was on a 4 bedroom victorian house wired 15-20ish years ago with no certs available.(Hager split load) The inspection lasted around 6 hours and flagged up some interesting results. First of I would like to list the order I approached the house.
1)Talk to owner establish history-type of use before they bought it and additions or faults they know about. Lock dogs away!
2)Determine locations of CCU and gas water services.
3)Visual inspection of CCU type and quantity of circuits. (decipher some scribbles)
4)Walk around property to visually check circuits + fittings + VSE - agree LIM's with owner
5)record circuits on paperwork and determine max Zs of each circuit
6)Let the owner know electrics will be off. Find out if labels on CCU match circuits by isolating a circuit at a time
7)Safely isolate whole system followed by a visual check of 50% of sockets and lights and switches - increase if problems found
8)Ze test and equal-potential bonding + polarity of incoming supply +all mcbs in line phase only + PSSFC PEFC
9)link out busbar and earth to perform R1+R2 on radial circuits (testing at furthest point if known) check polarity
10)ringmain end to end test then method 2 using a wander lead for R2 reading
11)insulation test on whole install if possible aware of any LIMs and VSE
12)Zs on each circuit and socket
13)RCD test followed by Ramp and functional.
14)replace all VSE equipment
AS experienced elders do you concentrate on one circuit at a time or perform each step on all circuits?
Having read many of the posts concerning EICR's some people state the wiring should not be disturbed - step 10 would then be impossible. What are your thoughts?
Having bought the new megger which can perform R1+R2 on a energised circuit would this be acceptable when the lovely inspectors come out to watch me?
The inspection progressed quiet smoothly until I found 2 circuits with no terminators (old shower and immersion heater removed with the circuits still energised) Then a broken ring popped up so I noted on TestS open r1 r2 rn.
Then the fun really started when the owner mentioned the light bulbs keep blowing regularly. At the switches R2 was fine but showing open at the light fittings. Noted on TestS. When the system was re-energised I performed the Zs at the light switches as no CPC at fitting. I doubled checked with my tester and found the light phase was showing 123Volts and voltage also showing on the neutral. How would this be possible? In series with other lights?
When performing a EICR and you find a fault do you dig around or just note it down and pass on your recommendations.
The owner has asked me to come back and rectify the problems, do you normally charge an investigation fee to determine the faults and then a separate quote to perform any remedial works?
Looking forward to your replies .:wink5:
