testing and certs after emergency call outs

[em1]

hi all was just wondering if you were to get a call out early hours int he morning say it was a dodgy light fitting tripping the rcd, if you then changed that fitting (in a bedroom) would you then be required to do a full test on that circuit? and what if the main bonding wasnt up to scratch would i just note that on a MWC,

also another situiation if you found a dodgy socket and changed that and the circuit wasnt rcd prtected what would you then have to do if you didnt have an rcd or rcbo to fit?

would you just leave that circuit isolated until you could get it protected or is it ok to leave it unprotected until an appointment was made say the next evening?

just thinking of doing part time self employed call outs alongside my current job and doing a bit research as to what would be expected of me

cheers

 

[Guest111]

If replacing a socket like for like then as far as I am aware there would be no need to fit rcd, that only applies if you were altering the circuit.

 

[Octopus]

Like for like replacements do not require a cert unless its the replacement of a breaker or rcd

 

[em1]

Like for like replacements do not require a cert unless its the replacement of a breaker or rcd

so would you not provide MWC or test the circuit afterwards?

i was told in that case you were the last person to work to that circuit and would have a hard time proving it wasnt faulty at the time of you working on it if somthing was to happen

 

[somersetsparks]

Surely thats up to you, you are not obliged to, I wouldnt't because I hate paperwork, however some customers would probably find it very professional and be happy to have something in writing

 

[markc123]

so would you not provide MWC or test the circuit afterwards?

i was told in that case you were the last person to work to that circuit and would have a hard time proving it wasnt faulty at the time of you working on it if somthing was to happen

Under GN3 then maybe you're 'supposed' to issue a MWC with everything you do - however this never happens. When its like for like i never issue a cert, just go in get the job done get cash in hand and then get ureself home for a brew.

Just make sure you never fit a metal light fitting if there isn't an earth at the lighting point - in a case like this, the like for like would be a plastic fitting regardless if the one coming down is metal or not.

Your last point...'you were the last person into do the work' ...you haven't issued a cert, so good luck on the customer proving you were ever there in the first place - unless of course you produced an invoice. Just make sure like for like is cash in hand jobs a good'n.

 

[Octopus]

Listen matey, I am NOT going to be issueing MWC's for like for like replacements when NOTHING is done to irradicate the cowboys in this country!

GN3 or not its a waste of time and paper

and like for like can be done by any tom, dick or harry - will they issue a MWC?

 

[em1]

so say if its like for like do i not need to worry about anything else about the instalation or do any testing or produce a MWC?

i mean i would normally check everything out to make sure sockets arent spured off spurs and making sure lights are earthed etc, but if its 4 in the morning i wouldnt fancy taking bulbs out or appliances for Ir tests and testing rings thoroughly etc

 

[Octopus]

A cursory Zs at the point is good practice and not it on your invoice.

DO you anticipate many calls then?

 

[markc123]

so say if its like for like do i not need to worry about anything else about the instalation or do any testing or produce a MWC?

i mean i would normally check everything out to make sure sockets arent spured off spurs and making sure lights are earthed etc, but if its 4 in the morning i wouldnt fancy taking bulbs out or appliances for Ir tests and testing rings thoroughly etc

If you went to replace a light fitting you'd start checking everything else whilst you were there? Just get in change the light and get out, 10mins work and charge an hour

Issue a MWC if you really want, its up to you - everyone else including myself wouldn't - just wasting your time to be honest.

And another little point, if a client rang me up at 4am to replace a light they could wait untill 8am - F going out at that time when its not an emergency.

 

[em1]

If you went to replace a light fitting you'd start checking everything else whilst you were there? Just get in change the light and get out, 10mins work and charge an hour

Issue a MWC if you really want, its up to you - everyone else including myself wouldn't - just wasting your time to be honest.

And another little point, if a client rang me up at 4am to replace a light they could wait untill 8am - F going out at that time when its not an emergency.

but what if youd replaced a socket and that socket ended up being spurred off a spur or the ring or if it was a radial on a 32A for example? or would it not matter becasue your only changing a fitting? just tryin to get to grips with what im required to do , and the 4am thing was an example and like i said im planning on doing emergencies only alongside my current job so wouldnt mind being called out in the night for some extra cash, it could be a pentioner who needs lights or power sorted and i couldnt wait til the morning coz id be at work

 

[markc123]

We we're talking about like for like replacements...now we're getting abit deep. If that scenario was the case, then obviouslly you'd inform the customer - and no doubt they wouldn't like what you were about to tell them / quote them, and you'd be walking straight back out the door without doing anything. Wasted journeys do unfortunatley happen.

 

[em1]

We we're talking about like for like replacements...now we're getting abit deep. If that scenario was the case, then obviouslly you'd inform the customer - and no doubt they wouldn't like what you were about to tell them / quote them, and you'd be walking straight back out the door without doing anything. Wasted journeys do unfortunatley happen.

your saying in that case you would inform the customer, how would you of known if youd never bothered to check wether the circuit was ok and just changed the fitting, all im worried about is that if i did just change a fitting and leave i could of just been the last person to work on a circuit that could potentially be dangerous therefore would be part responsible , wouldnt i ?

nd murdoch im not your matey and im only asking questions for advice not to be talked down to and in no way am i asking everyone to produce MWC for changing fittings im just curious as to what everyone else does to so keep your hair on .

what about if you changed a socket in a kitchen so it was notifiable, would you then test the full ring and check earthing and so on as you would have to confirm that on minor works ?

im not after arguments hear im just asking people with alot more experience on the subject than me, im trying to find answers im not insisting people arent doing their job properly

 

[Octopus]

your saying in that case you would inform the customer, how would you of known if youd never bothered to check wether the circuit was ok and just changed the fitting, all im worried about is that if i did just change a fitting and leave i could of just been the last person to work on a circuit that could potentially be dangerous therefore would be part responsible , wouldnt i ?

nd murdoch im not your matey and im only asking questions for advice not to be talked down to and in no way am i asking everyone to produce MWC for changing fittings im just curious as to what everyone else does to so keep your hair on .

what about if you changed a socket in a kitchen so it was notifiable, would you then test the full ring and check earthing and so on as you would have to confirm that on minor works ?

im not after arguments hear im just asking people with alot more experience on the subject than me, im trying to find answers im not insisting people arent doing their job properly

Replacing a socket in the kitchen is not notifiable

 

[Heisenberg]

I'm with Murdoch on this one. Like for like, no MEIWC, just a Zs.

If you decide to issue a MEIWC, given that IR testing is required, you might find yourself needing to start pulling out built-in appliances, hunting for hidden loads etc.
Can turn a quick job into a nightmare fast.

 

[Knobhead]

You can give the customer a deckle edged scroll if you want. 99.9% won’t even know what it is!

 

[trev]

The one thing that you are going to do is a Zs test to prove what you've done works. At stupid o clock your client doesn't want you there a second longer than you have to be so you get in get it done and get out, if you want to do a full spectrum of tests you make an appointment for a better time then your butt is covered every which way.

Which bit of South Shields (god's own country) are you from mate?

 

[em1]

The one thing that you are going to do is a Zs test to prove what you've done works. At stupid o clock your client doesn't want you there a second longer than you have to be so you get in get it done and get out, if you want to do a full spectrum of tests you make an appointment for a better time then your butt is covered every which way.

Which bit of South Shields (god's own country) are you from mate?

Whiteleas mate, and you ?

 

[Guitarist]

If you're relying on call-outs to supplement your income then you are in for a nasty surprise. Very few people will get you out in the night, and those that do will usually rely on someone they already know or have been recommended.
What are you planning to do if you get to a fault and it turns out that notifiable work is needed to sort it? Are you part P registered, or will you simply tell them you can't do the job and to get someone else?
Finally, no offence, but you seem very unsure of what is required in a domestic situation regarding notification/certification/testing. I'm sure that you are very well qualified in the electrical field you are in, but trust me, it's a different ballgame dipping your toes in domestic work...I found that out the hard way when I moved from being an industrial electrical engineer. Very few installs are compliant and no 2 properties will be the same. Believe me, working in an environment where things are done properly is a breeze compared to what's out there in peoples' homes...
If you are serious then get yourself a copy of the regs (if you don't already have one), the on-site guide, electricians guide to the building regs, plus GN3 & GN8.
As a side note, like for like is all fine and dandy unless manufacturers instructions specify something different such as fan replacements. Most of these now need 3 amp protection regardless of whether there is one there already.

 

[Geoffsd]

Why is it called 'common' sense?