Putting right DIY Consumer unit change....

[dlewis_DE]

Hi All,

I have recived a call from a guy who has installed a 10 way duel RCD consumer unit as a DIY project and can now only get the up and down light MCB's to switch on. If he attempts to eneregize sockets, cooker and shower etc, one of the RCD's trips. As we all know it probably going to be a borrowed neutral or doggy appliance, or some thing like that...

He know's that he shouldnt have changed the unit himself as he was no were to be seen when i went round to have a look.... since then he has asked if i can fix the problems and issue a EIC.

I'm reluctant to do so and only going to fix the problems then offer to carry out an Electrical installation Condition report.

Who know's what else he has messed with?

Has anybody come across this before and what would you do?

Cheer all

dave Lewis

 

[Guitarist]

I'm assuming he had a old rewireable fuseboard prior to this project, with no RCD?
Have you separated the cables in the CU and carried out IR tests on them?
If you were to remove the CU, reinstall it as you see fit, and carry out a full spread of tests, then you could give him an EIC based on that.
My advice here is to tell him that you will carry out testing to ascertain the causes of the RCD trips, for a fee. If you find it all acceptable and can sort out the issues, then you will refit the CU and can issue him a cert, along with notifying the job. This will cost him though, so make that clear from the outset.

 

[Octopus]

If you were to remove the CU, reinstall it as you see fit, and carry out a full spread of tests, then you could give him an EIC based on that.

This is the way to proceed IMHO. Charge him at least 1 day's time and you can do the EIC and LABC (I assume you are registered)

Plus obviously adding bonding, etc ,etc

 

[malcolmsanford]

I would be charging him the same as I would do if he had asked me to the actual CU change. The only difference here is you won't have to give a warranty or pay for the parts, he as done most of the donkey work of taking the old one off and fitting the new one.

So I would do my normal testing, and an EIC to cover the CU change

 

[trev]

a borrowed neutral or doggy appliance, or some thing

Is the install really ruf ruf ruf?
Sorry Dave, couldn't resist mate

 

[sparks1973]

test between neutral bars using IR test at 250V.....it sounds like a crossed neutral at the C/U to me as you say both lighting circuits are holding and its usually the landing light that has the shared neutral issue....

 

[growler]

i think you will find the problem is being caused by his mrs vibrator being plugged into the mains.

 

[sparks1973]

i think you will find the problem is being caused by his mrs vibrator being plugged into the mains.

thought they were ELV....

 

[growler]

thought they were ELV....

no this one is a monster !

 

[sparks1973]

no this one is a monster !

LI-ION?...no memory effect.....

 

[alarm man]

no this one is a monster !

the wife or the vib:goofy:

 

[dean.diy]

three phase then.

 

[ruston]

Come come gentlemen , behave yourselves.

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Come come gentlemen , behave yourselves.