Metal distribution board needed for safety report?
- Thread starter Corazones
- Start date
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Two or more RCDs covering virtually all circuits has been a requirement since 2008.
I think the property this thread refers to is a different one to the one the OP lives in, I think it's one he rents out, hence the discussion of a 'landlord electrical inspection'
K
kai
One thing is that, if people store piles of coats in the under-stairs cupboard, especially winter insulated ones, they post a fire risk brushing up against electrical equipment. It is safer to install some coat hooks behind the parents and kids bedroom doors, and hang up the coats there instead.
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K
kai
Another benefit of removing coat hooks from understairs cupboards, is that it avoids the chance of Dad leaving his wallet or phone in his jacket downstairs overnight, as he will need to take his jacket up to his bedroom in order to hang it up on the coathook there!
Blimey - did it really take you 6 months to think of that?
Is there really a requirement for a minimum of TWO RCDs in a small flat etc.? As stated in a post above.
If so then what needs to be on each circuit?
Small flat could have:-
one 6 A lighting
one 32A power
Possibly one 16A water heating or spur to gas boiler.
Tony
If so then what needs to be on each circuit?
Small flat could have:-
one 6 A lighting
one 32A power
Possibly one 16A water heating or spur to gas boiler.
Tony
The thing is you don't want everything going of with one tiny fault.
There is usually a cooker as well.
I normally put all but the lights on an RCCB with the lights on an RCBO or four RCBOs
There is usually a cooker as well.
I normally put all but the lights on an RCCB with the lights on an RCBO or four RCBOs
It is a common interpretation of a requirement. There is no Regulation which explicitly states this.
A lot of small flats which you mention don't have gas. Plus they exacerbate condensation problems.
The regulations state fault consequences should be 'minimised'.
If you don't want RCDs, leave the fuse box as it is.
The regulations state fault consequences should be 'minimised'.
If you don't want RCDs, leave the fuse box as it is.
Given that the main concern seems to be about a whole dwelling being 'plunged into darkness', are you happy for all the lights to be on the same RCBO?
One of my daughters lives in a very small one-bedroomed flat in London (literally 3 rooms - kitchen/diner/lounge, bedroom and bathroom) and I'm quite amazed at how many circuits they have created - including one lighting circuit for each room!
Kind Regards, John
I'm always happy - well...
As you say, we are talking about very small flats so it depends how far you or the customer want to go.
There are always lamps (your definition) plugged into sockets or an emergency light.
I don't know who paid for that but an emergency light (and plug-in lamps) would seem more than adequate.
My reasoning for having the lights on their own RCD is not to be 'plunged into darkness' when cooking or in the shower etc.
It hardly matters when watching telly.
I think that when these four-fuse properties have the fuse board replaced for RCD reasons most customers (landlords?) would not consider rewiring as well to be necessary.
I suppose there usually are. In my daughter's case, I think she has a bedside light in the bedroom, but I think that's about it.
The landlord must have paid (although very small, its a very upmarket and 'highly-specified' flat {which attracts a ludicrous rent!}).
I've never studied it too closely, but there are 'umpteen' circuits, across two RCDs, with one of the three lighting circuits on an RCBO (I'm mildly surprised vthat it is not all RCBOs!). I can but presume that each room has at least one sockets circuit of its own. There's also a boiler, an alarm, a backup immersion and a cooker - any/all of which could well have their own circuits.
I realise that but, particularly give that you're talking about an RCBO, a dying lamp could take out all the lighting - whether one was cooking, showering, watching TV or whatever.
Kind Regards, John
Yes, I know - so could an MCB - but how far do people want to go?
Are you saying that the lighting circuit must be split and glass doors be fitted?
I don't know what you want me to say.
Let's ban RCDs unless you live by a streetlight.
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