New consumer unit: certification question.

Laurence Harvey · 15 May 2019

I’ve recently had my old fusebox replaced with a new consumer unit. All the wiring and lighting circuitry is now RCD protected. After the installation was completed the NICEIC registered electrician spent some considerable time testing all the house circuitry with his multifunction installation tester. He kept careful notes of each test and assured me everything had tested out ok.

However, I’ve yet to receive any form of certification from the electrician. I’ve asked him repeatedly and his answer is “sorry, I’ll definitely attend to it,...been very busy”.

He says the procedure can be completed online and I will receive an electronic copy,...(but when??)

Can anyone advise me what the “certification” procedure actually entails?...is it very time-consuming?

I’m just a little concerned as to why the process seems to be dragging on somewhat.

As ever, all replies gratefully received.

ericmark · 15 May 2019

The Electrical Insulation Certificate is a few pages and has all the readings taken, it is not required by law, and there is no time limit as to providing it. The compliance certificate is issued by the electricians scheme provider on the strength of the installation certificate however it contains very little information and is required by law and has to arrive within 14 days I seem to remember.

As far as I am aware the electrician gives the information to the scheme provider on line.

AndyPRK · 15 May 2019

well at least he did lots of tests and wrote it down.

conny · 15 May 2019

AndyPRK said:
well at least he did lots of tests and wrote it down.

Assuming he tested correctly and obtained the necessary figures to enable a pass certificate.

EFLImpudence · 15 May 2019

I haven't time now but lots of misinformation so far.

Laurence Harvey · 15 May 2019

conny said:
Assuming he tested correctly and obtained the necessary figures to enable a pass certificate.

AndyPRK said:
well at least he did lots of tests and wrote it down.

Thanks for the replies;...not sure what ‘lots of tests’ means but he told me he’d tested each circuit and all the readings were good. He kept the individual test readings for each circuit in a notebook.

I do remember that the tests caused the RCD to trip on numerous occasions.

Is that not what is supposed to happen?

EFLImpudence · 15 May 2019

Yes, that all looks good.

For a replacement consumer unit, the registered electrician will/should issue an Electrical Installation Certificate and the others mentioned below.

This could be issued as soon as the work is completed but, usually and understandably it is preferable for it to be done at home, so time for doing it and, if necessary postage.
A reasonable time should be allowed for this but, I think it also comes under the twenty five day limit on Pag 13 of
https://www.niceic.com/www.niceic.com/media/Schemes/NEW-NICEIC-CPS-Guide.pdf

Definitely twenty five days is the limit for notification to the registration scheme (NICEIC in your case) then, time for them to issue and post to you the Certificate of compliance.
Whilst the limit is twenty five days, I would consider for electronic delivery, the next weekend at the latest is reasonable from the electrician.

As for the test results, these will/should be recorded and received by you, along with the EIC, on a Schedule of Inspections and a Schedule of Test Results.
Any test results that are not compliant should be rectified at the time or you should be informed and something done to ensure safety.
You said the electrician said everything was alright so that's ok.

So, after the twenty five days NICEIC should be aware of your replacement consumer unit work.
Feel free to complain to NICEIC if you think it has been too long and find out if it has been notified and indeed if the electrician is registered with them.
http://www.electricalcompetentperson.co.uk/

EFLImpudence · 15 May 2019

If you should find that the electrician is not registered with NICEIC (or any other scheme) still complain to NICEIC.

They probably won't help you but they really don't like electrician using their logo etc. fraudulently.

Notch7 · 15 May 2019

Laurence Harvey said:
. I’ve asked him repeatedly and his answer is “sorry, I’ll definitely attend to it,...been very busy”.

He is probably a highly skilled tradesman:

Great at practical work, but not so good at sitting down and getting on with paperwork.

333rocky333 · 15 May 2019

Laurence Harvey said:
I do remember that the tests caused the RCD to trip on numerous occasions.

Is that not what is supposed to happen?

Each Rcd when tested will usually include twice at X1 twice at X5 and 1 Test button test, so when tested each RCD would go off 5 times.
Our firm use Niceic online certs and there has been problems with the system lately.

ericmark · 16 May 2019

EFLImpudence said:
A reasonable time should be allowed for this but, I think it also comes under the twenty five day limit on Pag 13 of
https://www.niceic.com/www.niceic.com/media/Schemes/NEW-NICEIC-CPS-Guide.pdf

Niceic may say 25 days but gov web site page 9 says 5 days for electrician to tell third party and 30 days for document to be sent to occupier.

EFLImpudence · 16 May 2019

That's not what it says:

Presumably the thirty days is 25 for the installer and 5 for the scheme.

Laurence Harvey · 16 May 2019

EFLImpudence said:
If you should find that the electrician is not registered with NICEIC (or any other scheme) still complain to NICEIC.

They probably won't help you but they really don't like electrician using their logo etc. fraudulently.

Thanks so much EFL for all your detailed and helpful replies (as ever!

);...now that I know how the process/schedule works (or should work) I’ll leave it another week and see what transpires.

The electrician is definitely registered on the NICEIC website,...that’s how I located him in the first instance.

To be fair the installation was carried out to a high standard,...very neat and very efficient,...I think he could have done it in his sleep!... so it’s probably as ‘Notch7’ posted,...he’s highly skilled but not so hot on paperwork;...better that than the other way round I guess.

P.S. thanks to all who replied to me;...very much appreciated.

Laurence Harvey · 17 May 2019

OP here,...update for anyone remotely interested.

My 6-page ‘Electrical Installation Certificate’ (from certsure.com) and my 2-page ‘Building Control Compliance certificate’ (from niceiconline.com) both appeared in my email inbox yesterday afternoon within minutes of each other.

Just managed to meet the timescale as detailed above,... so all is well.

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New consumer unit: certification question.

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