Will this old consumer unit pose any issues with an upcoming EICR?

[Neptune]

I've had invaluable advice from this forum in relation to EICR's and clarifying my understanding that just because the consumer unit is "old", it does not need to be replaced. Since then, I had the EICR carried out at my rental property. This went to plan.

I am now scheduling my next EICR on a separate property and this has an even older Consumer Unit but everything works and seems safe e.g. no cracked fittings or exposed cables from my pre-inspection checks.

My question: will this type of Consumer Unit be okay to produce a satisfactory EICR?

Thanks in advance.

 

[pc1966]

But is it leaking it because of an insulation fault, or because that's just what it does when it is working as designed?

Generally anything measuring less than 1M L+N to E or so at 500V would be condemned as faulty by usual fixed wiring or PAT criteia, so you would only expect to see any significant leak "by design" in specialised cases (that don't just plug in via a 13A socket).

 

[Soi disant]

I still can't work you out Soi. I reckon another two porters and I'll have you sussed though.

There's not really anything to work out or suss, though.

 

[Neptune]

Pete

Despite agreeing with you that a complete new satisfactory EICR isn't stipulated in the legislation I'm finding that Letting Agents ask for it , they don't grasp this properly and it's easier to just do it I find, after all you already have all the test results.

The electrician will provide this as part of the board replacement.

 

[Neptune]

This is undoubtedly true but, from a customer's perspective, one circuit out is always going to be much less inconvenient than six - even if it only happens once in 10 years.

I've dealt with a total of two RCD tripping incidents at home. One was caused by an oven element failing and caused almost no inconvenience. The other incident involved repeated trips, which caused the loss of all hot water and I couldn't get a competent electrician to investigate, before finally fixing the problem myself.

Incidentally, it was the latter issue that spurred me (no pun intended) towards the idea of trying to retrain in the industry.

Why is this cited as such an inconvenience? Yes, all the MCB's controlled by that RCD will initially trip but wouldn't you then switch them back on one-by-one to locate the faulty circuit and then just leave that single one out of action until the fault is fixed?

 

[nicebutdim]

Why is this cited as such an inconvenience? Yes, all the MCB's controlled by that RCD will initially trip but wouldn't you then switch them back on one-by-one to locate the faulty circuit and then just leave that single one out of action until the fault is fixed?

For the very reason I stated in that post:

Repeated trips when a fault can not be easily identified, causing the loss of half the circuits each time.

This isn't something the average household will experience often, but the hassle caused by irate tenants in such an eventuality might lead to a landlord to questioning the real value of that £120 saving.

 

[Soi disant]

wouldn't you then switch them back on one-by-one to locate the faulty circuit and then just leave that single one out of action until the fault is fixed?

And if it's a N-E fault, and like 99.999999% of the time you've only got SP MCBs?

 

[Neptune]

And if it's a N-E fault, and like 99.999999% of the time you've only got SP MCBs?

Sorry, what's a "SP"?

 

[DPG]

Sorry, what's a "SP"?

Single pole, ie the neutral is not disconnected when a fault occurs.

 

[loz2754]

The electrician will provide this as part of the board replacement.

Maybe, if the electrician who did the EICR is the same one doing the board replacement.
But no electrician will provide an EICR for a whole installation if he's only there to change the board, and didn't do the original EICR.

 

[Neptune]

UPDATE: The consumer unit was replaced this week. I am waiting a new EICR that was completed as part of this. Here is a picture of the finished article and I would appreciate your feedback.
The electrician said that the gap was due to the difference in size of consumer units and I would need to make that good. I assume that is normal practice.
Can I please have some suggestions on how I can finish that off please?

Thanks again.

 

[UNG]

Remove the yellow label that says "Remove after installation"?

 

[westward10]

Have they filled those entry grommets with silicone, nasty.

 

[timhoward]

UPDATE: The consumer unit was replaced this week. I am waiting a new EICR that was completed as part of this. Here is a picture of the finished article and I would appreciate your feedback.

Main thing is it's safe. And if a fellow sparks has a silicone fetish who am I to judge?!

Can I please have some suggestions on how I can finish that off please?

Basically construct something with wood to cover it.
What comes to mind is a batten on the top of the boxing lid (carefully attached to miss cables and so the lid is still removeable) and a bit of hardboard attached in turn to that extending up in front of cables.
OR two triangle side pieces screwed to sides and a bit of hardboard on the front of them.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Don't know if these are available in the UK, but Hager do make them as well: https://www.leroymerlin.fr/produits...ment-legrand-h-27xl-25xp-6-5-cm-70564004.html

 

[MrPupsi]

Why people silicone when you can get the proper membrane grommets is beyond me, that looks horrible to me.
Would love to see underneath that cover.