No earth in the lighting

[pushrod]

Old rewireable fuses in CU, but no earth in lighting - all fittings are class2 - cables all still in very good condition. Can the CU can be upgraded in anyway without rewiring the lighting?

edit : can you get rcbo's that will fit rewireables in the same way that you can get retro fit mcbs?

 

[Darkwood]

I think its only possible when customer/cost issues arise but it must be addressed in the cert' you supply and the customer must be informed the potential hazards associated with no earthing, usually this tends to give them the insentive to find the extra cash.
If you dont change the board someone else will anyway, but if you cover your back in a certificate then any issues that arise after cant be brought back to you.
The eqiupotential earthing though is a must so if its missing then always include it in your price, but if its undersized again you can just test it and right it in your cert as undersized etc...Well i think the above is correct but no doubt someone will let me know if im wrong lol

 

[Spudnik]

Have a good read here:

http://www.esc.org.uk/pdfs/business-and-community/electrical-industry/BPG1_08.pdf


Note the bit that states: "A disclaimer does not
absolve the installer from responsibility."

 

[Darkwood]

Have a good read here:

http://www.esc.org.uk/pdfs/business-and-community/electrical-industry/BPG1_08.pdf


Note the bit that states: "A disclaimer does not
absolve the installer from responsibility."

A bit scary that you cant absolve yourself totally after following the requirements of the link you supplied but i believe if you do all it asked then any successful prosecution from a future incident would be unlikely as you did all you could. Thanks Jason its enlightened me about responsibilty issues just glad i dont do domestic anymore.

 

[Spudnik]

Must admit that i would walk away if the client wouldn't at least have a separate cpc installed.

The profit on the job isnt worth the risk, especially nowadays.

All IMHO.

 

[pushrod]

Must admit that i would walk away if the client wouldn't at least have a separate cpc installed.

The profit on the job isnt worth the risk, especially nowadays.

All IMHO.

Many thanks for the link Jason - really useful - have saved it . It's my own property, so if i understood it all, if i do the risk assessment and everything checks out, it is ok (although not the preferred option) to do a consumer unit change as long as LABC are notified. I really couldn't be doing with rewiring the lighting - the redecoration would be massive and it's not long since been done. Plus the boss (wife) would have a fit .

Will probably not do it for a year or so and then use it as an assessment for when/if i join a part P organisation.

Hi Darkwood , our paths cross again

 

[Matt Thornton]

Go onto the NICEIC website & download Bestpractice Guide aug07. It deals with lighting circuits without CPCs. You CAN connect that circuit as long as you fullfil certain provisions in the guide. Give a fair price & keep the cowboys out !!, cheers

 

[Spudnik]

Your choice Mr P.

There is of course the argument that "its been like that for years", so as long as there are NO class 1 fittings or switches anywhere then i dont see why not.

Yours is not the only property like this, and there are still many that will probably remain the same for many years to come.