Tests for replacement consmer unit

[Jon_]

Could you tell me whether most of the tests carried out for a Domestic Electrical Installation Report would have to be repeated if a replacement consumer unit is subsequently fitted?

 

[Deleted account]

Could you tell me whether most of the tests carried out for a Domestic Electrical Installation Report would have to be repeated if a replacement consumer unit is subsequently fitted?

If it was you who carried out the EICR a few days previous I would use the same reads, however I would redo Zs and obviously any any new residual current device tests.

 

[westward10]

Yes. Continuity of cpcs/ring final conductors/ main protective bonds, insulation resistance, polarity, Ze/Zs, rcd/rcbo tests.

 

[Pete999]

Could you tell me whether most of the tests carried out for a Domestic Electrical Installation Report would have to be repeated if a replacement consumer unit is subsequently fitted?

Look at Best practice guide no 1 for a CU change
Earthing and bonding continuity
Global IR test need L/N to Earth is acceptable
RFC continuity
Polarity

 

[stummish]

I'd retest ze, ring continuity, zs for each circuit and obviously any new rcds. If you feel you have to retest insulation then something has gone very wrong with the new install.

That being said, if someone else had done the eicr I'd do a full retest. Some EICR's are tested using eyeballs and imagination, not test meters!

 

[Specialist]

Oh heck, are we supposed to use test meters ?

 

[1Justin]

Full test IMO is the only way. On old houses needing a CU, it's normal to find lots of faults. Open rings, reversed sockets, no CPC, borrowed neutrals, nails in cables, no bonding, inadequate earth, mice...Just so many problems... I have spent a week doing CU on 2 bed houses before.
It pays to spend long enough beforehand to tell customer up-front what to expect, then build that into quote with a further contingency for unknown faults . I tend to try to do 80% of the tests with the old CU in place, ideally the day before. Also get all major faults fixed then, because once new CU is in, you'd have otherwise A) connected in faulty circuits, or B) maybe lost the will of the Customer to pay more, since they see the shiny unit and assume it's done. -Puts you in a spot.
Doing it up-front means that where it's really bad, I can tell them without first having destroyed the old set-up. Basically an EICR every time, but without the paperwork (since that's all built in to the subsequent EIC ). Working alone, where circuits need extending (really common), new tails/EC/bonding etc (really common) , and faults fixed (nearly always necessary, sometimes taking ages..), there's just not enough hours in a day to do it all and switch it on the same evening knowing it's safe. - It's just not worth the risk of getting caught short at 9PM after a tough twelve hour day.
I nearly never do a CU in 1 day, and only connect one in when I am 80% sure of all the tests results already, making finishing the testing and sealing possible the same day.

 

[Rpa07]

Good post @1Justin - I spent 4 hours testing an old installation and noting my readings then labelling in order to have an easier time of changing the CU this week. Left it working with a couple of circuits, that didn't need to be on there to function, disconnected until new CU.
I don't think that many things are as quick as you think they will be, double the time you think and you'll be closer.

 

[stummish]

I assumed testing before, I think the op meant: testing first, cu swap, after cu swap was a full test necessary. But always test first.

 

[Pete999]

Downloads

I assumed testing before, I think the op meant: testing first, cu swap, after cu swap was a full test necessary. But always test first.

The OP is asking WHAT test he should do before swapping the CU

 

[stummish]

Domestic Electrical Installation Report would have to be repeated if a replacement consumer unit is subsequently fitted?

I took that to mean testing had already been done previously.

 

[Specialist]

To be honest, so did I. To me it seemed like EICR had been done, CU needs changing out & he wanted to know if he had to do it all again afterwards.

 

[Pete999]

Alright Alright I give in

 

[stummish]

Sorry @Pete999 you have to be wrong at least once in your life. Maybe one day, I hope I can be as right as often as you!

 

[Specialist]

Sorry Pete

 

[Pete999]

Sorry Pete

For what?

 

[Rpa07]

I sorry as well just for solidarity!
No idea, I just going with da flow!

 

[stummish]

Now now calm down everyone, I can hear @Specialist and @Rpa07 getting ready to sing kumbaya. Someone stop them before its too late!

 

[Pete999]

Yep pack it in already.

 

[Specialist]

For what?

Seems I lost part of my post, & didn't check it. Can't remember now what I was sorry for.
We'd Just had the Police at the door again & my heads gone

 

[Specialist]

Now now calm down everyone, I can hear @Specialist and @Rpa07 getting ready to sing kumbaya. Someone stop them before its too late!

Your only Jealous

 

[stummish]

@Specialist I'll play triangle? Pretty please?

What have you done for the police to come round? Be honest now, did you install a cu without testing first?

 

[Pete999]

What have you been up to then?

 

[Specialist]

Honestly guys, absolutely nothing. We've got another druggie ----- living next door again, she phones the police regularly with stories about being attacked or threatened. This time she told them that someone had tried to kick in the back gate overnight.
I know most of the local shift by name, they've been back & fore for 3 years,
So they come to ask if anything has happened each time or is it just another story.

 

[Pete999]

Honestly guys, absolutely nothing. We've got another druggie ----- living next door again, she phones the police regularly with stories about being attacked or threatened. This time she told them that someone had tried to kick in the back gate overnight.
I know most of the local shift by name, they've been back & fore for 3 years,
So they come to ask if anything has happened each time or is it just another story.

Nice neighbors then?

 

[Specialist]

Wonderful mate, first 4 years the neighbours were brilliant.
Since then we've had a Fake hardman, Drug dealer dealing from there, Druggie prostitute than ran her trade from there.
Druggie car thieves (Police there daily, 7 times new years eve) & now this druggie lunatic.
Anyone got any Semtex ?.

 

[Octopus]

Shame the op didn't have the decency to update the thread when he was reviewing it a short while ago!

So did the op do the EICR a week ago

Or

Did somebody else do the EICR 3 years ago

 

[Midwest]

Wonderful mate, first 4 years the neighbours were brilliant.
Since then we've had a Fake hardman, Drug dealer dealing from there, Druggie prostitute than ran her trade from there.
Druggie car thieves (Police there daily, 7 times new years eve) & now this druggie lunatic.
Anyone got any Semtex ?.

I mean that's gotta be pants, worst I got is my neighbours security light going off all hours, I and I installed it

 

[Specialist]

A Dislike from Midwest, not normal. What didn't you like about what I wrote ?

 

[Midwest]

I mean that's gotta be pants, worst I got is my neighbours security light going off all hours, I and I installed it

That

 

[Specialist]

Sorry maybe just a bad day but don't get it, is it that for some reason you think I was lying ?.

 

[Rpa07]

I'm with Midwest when he 'dislikes' that you have bad neighbours and your family are affected because of it. There should be a sympathy button.
Solidarity of sparks

 

[Specialist]

Thanks for clearing that up rpa & apologies Midwest for taking your rating the wrong way. Unfortunately seem to be doing a lot of that lately.
By the way, the solidarity is much appreciated.

 

[Specialist]

Aah well, so much for my hopes of a quiet night.
Police & Ambulance are there again.

 

[Rpa07]

There's no button @Specialist to explain how we feel. Hope it settles down. A gentlemans home should be his castle but you shouldn't have to use the fortresses just to live your life. Ear plugs and bed (just like the missus)!

 

[westward10]

Any holiday cottages in Neath

 

[Specialist]

Any holiday cottages in Neath

Aye there's a few mate, appreciate the thought

 

[westward10]

Sounds like a bad situation you have there.

 

[Specialist]

There's no button @Specialist to explain how we feel. Hope it settles down. A gentlemans home should be his castle but you shouldn't have to use the fortresses just to live your life. Ear plugs and bed (just like the missus)!

Thanks Buddy, I appreciate your thoughts. These skanks have the Police tied in knots at the minute, they're apparently housed under the Mental health protection act & have Social services on their side.
Appears they can pretty much get away with just about anything, Police arrest them then the taxpayer forks out for lawyers.
Had a gentle warning from the Police not to do anything to them, if I do then CPS won't hesitate to prosecute.
I just love the fairness of the British justice system.

 

[stummish]

I feel for you @Specialist , not a great situation.