Advice on EICR failure C2

[JohnW2]

I've never seen a plastic 3 phase distribution board, has anyone?

I doubt that (m)any people have. However, I also doubt that many will have seen "DIYers" (or 'electricians' of questionable competence/sense!) 'fiddling around injudiciously inside 3-phase DBs (when have ones fiddling fingers surrounded by earthed metal becomes a hazard)!

 

[ericmark]

I've never seen a plastic 3 phase distribution board, has anyone?

1980 Siemens with bottle fuses used in Algeria, where the switch was after the fuse, so fuse always changed live. Clear plastic so you could see any faults without opening the board.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

1980 Siemens with bottle fuses used in Algeria, where the switch was after the fuse, so fuse always changed live. Clear plastic so you could see any faults without opening the board.

Once also common in Germany too.

 

[ericmark]

Once also common in Germany too.

It was a Dutch firm. NACAP BV.

 

[SUNRAY]

It was a Dutch firm. NACAP BV.

Very much a Berlin company, IIRC Siemenns & Halsk started the company mid 19th century in a tenament building where they created and manufactured a telegraph receiver.
We were shown the building surrounding an open area, like a little garden/car park/quadrangle behind a butchers and bakers shops (sorry no candlestick maker), (I think on or close to Charlottenstrasse) on a guided tour in 1977 but I'm not sure if it was where the company was based or Siemens lived.

​

 

[TonyWarrington]

Finally had a reply to my queries about EICR Code 2 failures. Have copied parts of my first post that I queried with the electrician and the responses which are somewhat different to the initial report!! New replies highlighted in red

The installation has been assessed as Unsatisfactory, as Code C2 observations were identified. The issues noted were:

1. Unsealed opening to the consumer unit affecting its fire integrity. Suggested action Fire seal unit

Not fire integrity but rather is IP rating please see REG 416.2.1.

2. Absence of a protective conductor (earth) on the upstairs lighting circuit, and a bedroom light switch that is insecure due to being fixed on a single lug.

No CPC at the hallway light switch, please see regulation 411.3.1.1
bedroom switch is on 1 lug and is not secure please see regulation 134.1.1

3. Bathroom light fitting is not suitably IP-rated for its location.

This is an error mix up with another property

Cannot say that I am too happy with the new/changed report even after a £100 reduction in the cost to "fix". 15 years on and at least a couple of earlier EICR's without issue well WTF!

So I guess I now have the choice of either suck up and pay for the fix or start afresh with a new contractor. I think I will be instructing the letting agent future electrical work will require another contractor

 

[ericmark]

“qualified person” means a person competent to undertake the inspection and testing required under regulation 3(1) and any further investigative or remedial work in accordance with the electrical safety standards;

(5) Where paragraph (4) applies, a [F2private landlord] [F2landlord] must—
(a)obtain written confirmation from a qualified person that the further investigative or remedial work has been carried out and that—
(i)the electrical safety standards are met; or
(ii)further investigative or remedial work is required;
(b)supply that written confirmation, together with a copy of the report under sub-paragraph (3)(a) which required the further investigative or remedial work to each existing tenant of the residential premises within 28 days of completion of the further investigative or remedial work; and
(c)supply that written confirmation, together with a copy of the report under sub-paragraph (3)(a) which required the further investigative or remedial work to the local housing authority within 28 days of completion of the further investigative or remedial work.

Before the inspection you could do the repairs, after the inspection it needs a qualified person, anyone with an invoice that says he is from an electrical firm is unlikely to be challenged.

But if a minor works certificate is completed I would not consider any court would question to if the person was competent on not. The details required should be on the EICR, so if you copied the info across, (by inquiry is a valid way to get info like loop impedance) and you signed to say the work has been done, then someone would need to show you're not a qualified person, this would be hard. There is no laid down qualification to say you're qualified, this allows for electricians from other countries to work in the UK.

Even if I sign Fred Bloggs Fdeng since Fdeng may be for sound broadcast, it does not show I know my stuff. I would want someone independent to do the work, so it is clear not trying to pull a fast one, but signed Freg Bloggs (electrician) is likely good enough for most courts.

 

[Murdochcat]

Finally had a reply to my queries about EICR Code 2 failures. Have copied parts of my first post that I queried with the electrician and the responses which are somewhat different to the initial report!! New replies highlighted in red

The installation has been assessed as Unsatisfactory, as Code C2 observations were identified. The issues noted were:

1. Unsealed opening to the consumer unit affecting its fire integrity. Suggested action Fire seal unit

Not fire integrity but rather is IP rating please see REG 416.2.1.

2. Absence of a protective conductor (earth) on the upstairs lighting circuit, and a bedroom light switch that is insecure due to being fixed on a single lug.

No CPC at the hallway light switch, please see regulation 411.3.1.1
bedroom switch is on 1 lug and is not secure please see regulation 134.1.1

3. Bathroom light fitting is not suitably IP-rated for its location.

This is an error mix up with another property

Cannot say that I am too happy with the new/changed report even after a £100 reduction in the cost to "fix". 15 years on and at least a couple of earlier EICR's without issue well WTF!

So I guess I now have the choice of either suck up and pay for the fix or start afresh with a new contractor. I think I will be instructing the letting agent future electrical work will require another contractor

So it’s an IP rating issue - photo?

Agree the switch needs remedial work

Issueing a report getting an item mixed up with another property is a poor excuse to say the least

How long was the spark in the property?

Maybe not use this person again

 

[securespark]

EICR is all about a qualified person...

This guy messed up big time and got properties mixed up.
Does not inspire confidence at all.

That light switch need not be rewired, as long as the switch is plastic, then the classification is C3, not C2.

The loose switch is an easy fix, as should be sealing the CU.