UK Lighting circuit on a 32Amp ring main question

[DD6619]

First post and Newly qualified, been asked to complete an EIC/EICR on a property after previous electrician carried out the work but never gave a certificate for pretty much a full rewire.

I had a quick look when I popped round, and from what customer says, there is a 32Amp ring main for downstairs but which also controls the lights on the second floor. There’s no FCU anywhere.

My thinking is to try to find where they have been connected, but won’t be easy as there’s a lot of flooring down etc. then put lighting on there own rcbo. Is there anyway other way.

 

[nicebutdim]

First post and Newly qualified, been asked to complete an EIC/EICR on a property after previous electrician carried out the work but never gave a certificate for pretty much a full rewire.

I had a quick look when I popped round, and from what customer says, there is a 32Amp ring main for downstairs but which also controls the lights on the second floor. There’s no FCU anywhere.

My thinking is to try to find where they have been connected, but won’t be easy as there’s a lot of flooring down etc. then put lighting on there own rcbo. Is there anyway other way.

Have you confirmed that 2nd floor lighting is definitely fed from downstairs ring, regardless of what the customer tells you?

 

[DD6619]

Have you confirmed that 2nd floor lighting is definitely fed from downstairs ring, regardless of what the customer tells you?

Not tested it yet, but he flicked the rcbo off and it killed the lights to the second floor.

 

[ferg]

Once you have completed the EICR things should be a bit clearer.

That's what it is for, to identify faults that need to be rectified.

IMHO pointless to try and solve a problem before you know what it is.

 

[DD6619]

Once you have completed the EICR things should be a bit clearer.

That's what it is for, to identify faults that need to be rectified.

IMHO pointless to try and solve a problem before you know what it is.

Totally agree. Im just thinking about a way to fix it if it turns out that is the case that’s all.

 

[pc1966]

Totally agree. Im just thinking about a way to fix it if it turns out that is the case that’s all.

It will depend very much on what you find.

1. They have just put the light it to the RCBO for sockets, so easy to put another RCBO in.
2. As above, but you find some idiot has linked neutrals or done something weird for up/down lights. Need to find and fix borrowed neutral problem, or go to #3
3. It comes off the RFC at some point, then either wire back to CU to do it properly, or put in a FCU (or more likely, fuse-only so no master kill switch for lights)
4. Something else...

 

[littlespark]

If you’ve not been there, and customers are adept at getting the wrong words… I’d say the RCBO they turned off was actually an rcd on a duel split board. It’s likely the downstairs sockets and upstairs lights are in same side…. And vice versa.

It would have to be an idiot of an electrician to forget to run a feed for upstairs lights during a rewire and have to spur it from a socket circuit.

Check for other stupidity… like lack of smoke detectors, missing green sleeving, lack of ring continuity etc etc…


Can i also add that you cannot actually give an EIC on another persons works. As you didnt design and build... you dont know how the hidden parts are run... you didnt do all the calcs etc.

Even an EICR, you may need to watch out for recent changes in BS7671 regarding RCD protection on certain types of circuits... All depending on how recent this rewire was

 

[pc1966]

I’d say the RCBO they turned off was actually an rcd on a duel split board. It’s likely the downstairs sockets and upstairs lights are in same side…. And vice versa.

Good call!