retro fitting rcbo's into a non amd 3 board

hot rod · Sep 19, 2016

Thanks for your opinions/guidance guys, i think i may have been too stuck with the routine of noting 'non compliances to current edition' that was a C4 from the old periodic inspection reports!!!!!!!
so.....generally you wouldn't note the plastic consumer unit provided it is in good serviceable condition etc?

happysteve · Sep 20, 2016

The Electrical Safety First Best Practice Guide 4 (issue 4) has clear guidance on coding (or not) plastic CUs:

Page 16, example of C3:

For inspections carried out after 1January 2016 - Presence of a consumer unit or similar switchgear made from combustible material (e.g. plastic) that is not inside a non-combustible enclosure and which is:

Located under wooden staircase, or
within a sole route of escape from the premises

(Note: If unsatisfactory connections are found during inspection, this would warrant a code C2 classification to be recorded)

Page 17, Items worthy of note that do not warrant a classification code (These comments would not appear on the EICR):

For inspections carried out after 1January 2016 - Presence of a consumer unit or similar switchgear made from combustible material (e.g. plastic) that is not inside a non-combustible enclosure and which is NOT:

Located under wooden staircase, or
within a sole route of escape from the premises

(Note: If unsatisfactory connections are found during inspection, this would warrant a code C2 classification to be recorded)

The following list of FAQs is also useful: Inspection, testing, certification and reporting - http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/electrical-professionals/wiring-regulations/inspection,-testing,-certification-and-reporting/

ETO · Sep 20, 2016

More of a space issue. Getting rcbos in older boards can be a pain. Also if there is no sup bonding in the bathroom and a shower in place with no rcd protection, this would be a c2. So there are still cases were not having an rcd can result in a eicr fail. I hate doing work for landlords. Most of them just want the bit of paper saying it's safe with out actually caring if it is or not.