Moving CU - what cert'ing is required?

[Shooby]

Hi folks.

Bro needs to have his CU moved (and replaced as it's an oldie) by around a metre as he's having a wall section taken down where the current sunken CU is installed. He's had a couple of sparkies out to quote and one says he'd need to test all the circuits before he reconnects them to the new CU, so suggested he have this testing done beforehand as it would highlight any issues that would need extra work before he moves the CU.

The other sparkie says that certification ain't needed for a CU replacement; if the circuits are currently working ok, it'll make no difference when they're moved to the new CU - in fact the new CU should, if anything, add an extra level of protection.

Needless to say, bro is liking the sound of the second sparkie since the first guy quoted nearly £400 just for the testing (this is a one bedroom flat with only 4 MCBs), so this almost doubled the whole cost.

What's the correct situation regarding certification?

Another job bro wants doing is to have his old R80 ceiling lights replaced with LED equivalents and, to give the 2nd sparkie (no CU cert guy) some credibility, he pointed out that one ceiling light in the bathroom was too close to the bath/shower and if my bro wanted this replaced with an IP unit (as he should), he would provide certification for this. Ie - he's not avoiding certification, only carrying it out where it's technically required.

Thoughts, please? Thanks.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

1st sparks is spot on, full test, electrical installation cert and registered with BC. Ditch the second chancer.
However £400 just for the test on a small flat is steep, probably half-ish that for the test alone

 

[Octopus]

An EIC minimum ... and if it’s an older style cu then replacing it is probably worth considering, then part p certificate is required too

Anyone saying a certificate isn’t required is not to be trusted imho

Get more quotes and I would say a rcbo board should be installed.

 

[telectrix]

for the CU replacement, a cert. (EIC) is required. some testing should be carried out prior to fitting, but £400 is a pi$$take. i would estimate £300 -£400 all in as long as there were no issues that needed attention.

 

[suffolkspark]

get a third quote the first guy sounds expensive, the second guy is wrong.

a full test of the house before replacing a board is best practice as we have to ensure what we put back into service is safe. you should then get an EIC for fitment of the new board, and it will need to be registered with your LABC

 

[davesparks]

Yes the work needs inspecting and testing once completed and an electrical installation certificate to be issued.

There is no regulatory requirement to carry out a condition report (EICR) or other testing before starting the job, however any sensible electrician will carry out some testing beforehand to ensure that they won’t run in to any problems when the new CU is fitted and energised.

 

[suffolkspark]

how do you ensure that the circuits you are re-energising are safe to do so without doing testing or carrying out an EICR?

 

[buzzlightyear]

He's had a couple of sparkies out to quote and one says he'd need to test all the circuits before he reconnects them to the new CU, so suggested he have this testing

The other sparkie says that certification ain't needed for a CU replacement; if the circuits are currently working ok

or you could go down the pub and get Charlie p** head to quote you .

 

[SparkyChick]

how do you ensure that the circuits you are re-energising are safe to do so without doing testing or carrying out an EICR?

Just turn it on... if the MCB holds and the RCD doesn't trip it's all good

*BANG!!!!*

 

[telectrix]

Just turn it on... if the MCB holds and the RCD doesn't trip it's all good

*BANG!!!!*

I told you you'd pick up bad habits if you stayed on this forum. .

 

[buzzlightyear]

Another job bro wants doing is to have his old R80 ceiling lights replaced with LED equivalents and, to give the 2nd sparkie (no CU cert guy) some credibility, he pointed out that one ceiling light in the bathroom was too close to the bath/shower and if my bro wanted this replaced with an IP unit (as he should), he would provide certification for this.

would you trust a butcher to take you car engine out and put it back !

 

[Dave OCD]

Only if he provided free sausages and a couple of pork chops.

 

[Midwest]

for the CU replacement, a cert. (EIC) is required. some testing should be carried out prior to fitting, but £400 is a pi$$take. i would estimate £300 -£400 all in as long as there were no issues that needed attention.

Yeah but you've knocked off the CU bits from someone else, so us can't compete with the 300 quid thing.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Yeah but you've knocked off the CU bits from someone else, so us can't compete with the 300 quid thing.

Funny that.. tidied the van today and i got enough surplus breakers from pre loaded boards on other jobs, a couple of rcds and main switches from other jobs that i only need a metal enclosure and i got me some ready to go CU's, will bring the price down on my quotes...

 

[Octopus]

^^ or more sensibly, increase your profits ....

 

[Midwest]

Calm down you lot the OP is only asking.

 

[Midwest]

Calm down you lot the OP is only asking.

Funny that.. tidied the van today and i got enough surplus breakers from pre loaded boards on other jobs, a couple of rcds and main switches from other jobs that i only need a metal enclosure and i got me some ready to go CU's, will bring the price down on my quotes...

What are you mad?

 

[mhar]

Did the same last week, 1 bed flat, pre-test, move cu (easy move) and joint cables, certify and notify. 4 x rcbo cu. £425

 

[Shooby]

I'm kinda detecting some consensus on here...

Thanks, gents - points noted.

I'll pass on the info to my bro that a test cert and notification to the LABC is required.

That's sounds very reasonable, mhar, but bro is in London and that usually means double or more

 

[MDJ]

I did my own myself, and it didn't cost me anything lol, but legally you will need a certificate and part p notification, what is happening about the meter seals?