17th Edition for extra sockets.

[karlpeg]

Hi,
Has anyone been to a job lately where the customer wants an extra socket putting in where the circuit doesn’t have RCD protection and where it would mean swapping the CU over due to age of the CU.
How do you convince the customer that the work needs doing?

 

[GaryMo]

Hi,
Has anyone been to a job lately where the customer wants an extra socket putting in where the circuit doesn’t have RCD protection and where it would mean swapping the CU over due to age of the CU.
How do you convince the customer that the work needs doing?

If he's strapped for cash then design and install to the 16th. No problem as long as the socket wouldn't be expected to supply portable outdoor equipment, if it would then use an RCD socket outlet.

 

[JohnD]

or you could hire my Time Machine. It comes equipped with a supply of Red and Black cable as well.

 

[SeanT]

or you could hire my Time Machine. It comes equipped with a supply of Red and Black cable as well.

Don't all toolboxes, for that little extra tweak?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Hi,
Has anyone been to a job lately where the customer wants an extra socket putting in where the circuit doesn’t have RCD protection and where it would mean swapping the CU over due to age of the CU.
How do you convince the customer that the work needs doing?

What makes you think it needs doing?

 

[SeanT]

Same thing that makes British Gas engineers try and rewire half your house when fitting a new combi, as opposed to just sorting out the main earth bonding?

 

[fattony]

I could be wrong as I havent actually read the 17th yet (its on order) but surely you dont have to upgrade the existing consumer unit to bring it in line with the new regulations, did this happen when the 16th edition came out? If your unsure then you could (as mentioned above) use a socket outlet which houses a RCD.

 

[GaryMo]

I could be wrong as I havent actually read the 17th yet (its on order) but surely you dont have to upgrade the existing consumer unit to bring it in line with the new regulations, did this happen when the 16th edition came out? If your unsure then you could (as mentioned above) use a socket outlet which houses a RCD.

If installed to the 17th?
If so then you would also have to consider the cable feeding the socket.

 

[fattony]

yep agree with you there but if the cable is chased in deeper then 50mm and is unlikely the socket would be used for portable appliances outside it wouldnt need RCD?

 

[GaryMo]

yep agree with you there but if the cable is chased in deeper then 50mm and is unlikely the socket would be used for portable appliances outside it wouldnt need RCD?

If we're still talking 17th then the socket would still need RCD protection unless its for a dedicated appliance, for example, a freezer and marked accordingly.
Cable would be fine though.

If 16th then yes, that's fine.

 

[fattony]

so all sockets unless dedicated for an appliance need RCD ok fair enough, it would have to b a RCD socket outlet then.

 

[GaryMo]

Yes, all general purpose sockets not exceeding 20A used by ordinary persons (householders and general public).

 

[Chri5]

The rules are that "where a socket might generally be available to be used externally via a extension lead" need to be RCD protected.

Although provision of a external RCD socket is a half way measure, it doesn't satisfy the possibility that a socket inside the hall could be extended outside for say car power washer, vac cleaner, mowing front garden, doing hedge trimming (not brazilian style ) etc

Could you not protect the whole ring by providing a RCD carrier adjacent to the CU with tails to a henly block?

 

[GaryMo]

Depends on cost. If a customer wants an extra socket then as long as the work you do complies then you'll not have a problem completing a MWC.

Obviously it would be better to protect the whole ring but as I said, cost can sometimes be an issue.

 

[JohnD]

The rules are that "where a socket might generally be available to be used externally via a extension lead"

where is this wording from?