Searching for regs

[MFS Electrical]

Hi all, daft thing to be doing at this time on a Saturday night I know but is there a reg that specifically says we must bring the installation or part of it up to the current standards if we alter it?

Also is there specifically a regulation stating that earth bonding must be upgraded or installed when changing a consumer unit
or is this just implied/best practice?

 

[Andy78]

The regulations are not retrospective and installations do not have to be brought up to current standards. This is in the introduction.

132.16 requires that the installation be adequate and safe for any alteration or addition including earthing and bonding. This does not mean they need to be brought up to the current standard.

The regulations in general apply to all new work, but not all parts of existing installations.

 

[MFS Electrical]

The regulations are not retrospective and installations do not have to be brought up to current standards. This is in the introduction.

132.16 requires that the installation be adequate and safe for any alteration or addition including earthing and bonding. This does not mean they need to be brought up to the current standard.

The regulations in general apply to all new work, but not all parts of existing installations.

This is exactly the reg I’m after I think I haven’t been clear as to what I meant by bringing the installation up to current standards... what I was meaning was for example sticking in an RCBO in place of an MCB when you add in extra sockets etc

 

[Andy78]

This is exactly the reg I’m after I think I haven’t been clear as to what I meant by bringing the installation up to current standards... what I was meaning was for example sticking in an RCBO in place of an MCB when you add in extra sockets etc

Ok, so in that specific example we can start with 132.16, verifying the earthing and bonding are adequate before we start work. All equipment to be used, CU and associated existing wiring and containment if any, are suitable for continued use.

RCD additional protection should be provided for sockets that you add, but not all existing sockets on that circuit need comply. Sometimes RCD protection at the circuit origin can be easiest though. All new work would need to comply with all general rules in BS7671

 

[MFS Electrical]

RCD additional protection should be provided for sockets that you add, but not all existing sockets on that circuit need comply.

As in most cases would the cable feeding the new sockets and the method of protection ie RCD spur etc so most of the time sticking in an RCBO would be the best way forward

All new work would need to comply with all general rules in BS7671

And so when replacing a consumer unit having altered the characteristics of each circuit care must be taken to ensure that there are no latent faults or dangerous situations which may be present in the installation.

 

[Wilko]

Hi - along with @Andy78’s Reg 132.16, I will add Reg 110.1.2 (vi) which says “the Regulations include requirements for : (vi) additions and alterations to installations”. To me, this confirms the alteration must be to the current regulations.