retro fitting rcbo's into a non amd 3 board

[westward10]

Not the OP but some people see a plastic CU and think it is about to self combust. As long as all terminations are sound it is up to you if you C3 it. As for fitting rcbos this will obviously give increased protection but the urgency if any will depend on the circuit designation. Fitting rcbos in an old Starbreaker board may be tight.

 

[hot rod]

hmm.... i'd always interpreted that ANYTHING not conforming to current regs should be noted as a C3, but as you say, it does state 'improvement recommended', and the guidance says that these items being noted would 'improve the safety of the installation', perhaps i'm being a little too paranoid, i try and be thorough and note everything!

 

[telectrix]

id be installing a 30ma rcd just before the fuseboard to save money in that instance.

COBBLERS.

 

[westward10]

hmm.... i'd always interpreted that ANYTHING not conforming to current regs should be noted as a C3, but as you say, it does state 'improvement recommended', and the guidance says that these items being noted would 'improve the safety of the installation', perhaps i'm being a little too paranoid, i try and be thorough and note everything!

Nothing wrong with noting everything it is what you should be doing. The lack of additional rcd protection must be assessed on the day no one can foresee the future, to see the possible risk it poses due to their absence unless it is obvious, such as one supplying an external socket.

 

[123]

hmm.... i'd always interpreted that ANYTHING not conforming to current regs should be noted as a C3, but as you say, it does state 'improvement recommended', and the guidance says that these items being noted would 'improve the safety of the installation', perhaps i'm being a little too paranoid, i try and be thorough and note everything!

That's almost every installation designed from 2015 and previous that will get a C3 then. An EICR isn't about what meets the current regs...it's about assessing the condition of the Installation for safety and continued use, using BS7671 as your reference.

I fitted my last plastic CU in July this year...it was for an unoccupied rewire that had a 3 year gap between 1st fix and 2nd fix, I've another sitting from 2011 but if and when they are finally ready will be pushing for an AMD 3 board as I much prefer them and they are now whats readily available.

 

[westward10]

What exactly is an AMD3 board, is it like a 16th Edition board that was.

 

[westward10]

id be installing a 30ma rcd just before the fuseboard to save money in that instance.

What about discrimination with the existing rcd.

 

[123]

What exactly is an AMD3 board, is it like a 16th Edition board that was.

It's merely a reference term for it - used to be 16th Edition Board, then 17th Edition boards (essentially Dual RCD boards), there are 17th Edition Testers (generally MFT's with Auto RCD tests), and now AMD 3 boards (either Dual RCD or Straight for RCBO's) that are Metal Clad with a silly door front for them.

Not that different to the term PAT Testing, totally wrong, but what's commonly known.

 

[westward10]

It's merely a reference term for it - used to be 16th Edition Board, then 17th Edition boards (essentially Dual RCD boards), there are 17th Edition Testers (generally MFT's with Auto RCD tests), and now AMD 3 boards (either Dual RCD or Straight for RCBO's) that are Metal Clad with a silly door front for them.

Not that different to the term PAT Testing, totally wrong, but what's commonly known.

Yeah I know was being fasceacious, soon be seeing ads for 18th Ed testers.

 

[hot rod]

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?