Clarification of regs -adding socket to ring. What required?

[Paul_C]

Having said that, I then start wondering. If replacing an MCB is notifiable, what about replacing a blown or damaged fuse, which is functionally not conceptually different? This could get daft in the other direction!

And if "fixed electrical equipment" does not include such things as a light switch, because it's an "electrical accessory," that would also mean that replacing a light switch would be notifiable because it would not then be exempted by 1(a). Perhaps one could argue that if you remove the old switch you are then adding the new switch as per 2(c), but even with that interpretation replacing a light switch in a kitchen would still be notifiable because of 2(a).

In my book, "electrical equipment" means everything which is involved with the distribution and utilization of electric power - Cables, distribution boards, joint boxes, switches, plugs & sockets, flexible cords, portable and stationary appliances, etc. "Fixed electrical equipment" is everything in the above list which is somehow fixed to the fabric of the building and not easily removable without tools. So a portable blender complete with cord and plug is not fixed equipment, but the socket on the wall into which it's plugged most certainly is. Look also at the full title of older editions of the wiring regs. - "Regulations for The Electrical Equipment of Buildings."

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Yes, but John, the terminology they use is the same I was taught.

Switches, FCUs, socket outlets - they're electrical accessories.

Fridges, cookers, drills, lathes, washing machines - they're electrical equipment (sometimes 'appliances').

RCDs, MCBs, Fuses - they're protective devices......and nowhere does it say that changing a circuits protective device is not notifiable.

So were you not taught on the basis of what it says in BS 7671?

See the definition of Electrical Equipment in Part 2....

 

[JohnW2]

See the definition of Electrical Equipment in Part 2....

That's certainly a pretty exhaustive list and, in present context, it certainly explicitly includes appliances, accessories and protective devices.

This continues to show how badly worded Schedule 4 is. I think we all have a fairly good idea of what the legislators wanted/intended to say (whether we agree with their intentions or not), but the words of the document simply don't say that!

Kind Regards, John.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I don't have the equipment to test the circuit

You could do a great deal worse than to buy this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ROBIN-FLU..._Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item2314bb9f64

Contact the seller - tell him you'll give him £200 if he gets calibration certificates for them

 

[Stoday]

Contact the seller - tell him you'll give him £200 if he gets calibration certificates for them

Why should a DIYer bother with calibration certificates? I don't bother to get any of my DIY measuring tools calibrated. I don't bother to get the speedometer on my car checked or calibrated.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Why should a DIYer bother with calibration certificates?

It proves that he's bought something which works.

 

[JohnW2]

Contact the seller - tell him you'll give him £200 if he gets calibration certificates for them

Why should a DIYer bother with calibration certificates? I don't bother to get any of my DIY measuring tools calibrated. I don't bother to get the speedometer on my car checked or calibrated.

Under normal circumstances, I rely (mainly for my own reassurance) on periodic checking my MFT with a DIY 'check box', which provides reassurance of the continuing reasonableness of results being produced for all functions of the meter other than RCD-related ones.

Kind Regards, John.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I don't have the equipment to test the circuit

You could do a great deal worse than to buy this:

An even better bargain: Metrel-61557

 

[scousespark]

Contact the seller - tell him you'll give him £200 if he gets calibration certificates for them

Why should a DIYer bother with calibration certificates? I don't bother to get any of my DIY measuring tools calibrated. I don't bother to get the speedometer on my car checked or calibrated.

Under normal circumstances, I rely (mainly for my own reassurance) on periodic checking my MFT with a DIY 'check box', which provides reassurance of the continuing reasonableness of results being produced for all functions of the meter other than RCD-related ones.

Kind Regards, John.

Never mind calibration. I can't see the point in a DIYER spending the best part of a grand on a piece of kit that will hardly ever be used.

 

[Paul_C]

Never mind calibration. I can't see the point in a DIYER spending the best part of a grand on a piece of kit that will hardly ever be used.

That was the point being made: You can acquire perfectly serviceable test equipment for much less.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I can't see the point in a DIYER spending the best part of a grand on a piece of kit that will hardly ever be used.

If you lend me £1,000 for a week I'll pay you back 2 x the best part of it.

 

[JohnW2]

Never mind calibration. I can't see the point in a DIYER spending the best part of a grand on a piece of kit that will hardly ever be used.

Quite - although they don't have to pay anything like that much to get a perfectly serviceable (used) instrument - in fact, no more than the cost of 3 or 4 hirings.

Kind Regards, John.

 

[scousespark]

John and BAS, you are missing my point here. Both of you have a deep interest in electrics, but this post was asking if a diyer can make a fairly minor alteration. In this case, spending out for a very specalised piece of kit (never mind acquiring the knowledge required to undesrstand what the readings mean) is a bit of overkill.

This does not mean thhe job doesn't need testing.

 

[JohnW2]

John and BAS, you are missing my point here. Both of you have a deep interest in electrics, but this post was asking if a diyer can make a fairly minor alteration. In this case, spending out for a very specalised piece of kit (never mind acquiring the knowledge required to undesrstand what the readings mean) is a bit of overkill.

I admire you for your repeated ability to remain focussed on the original question in a long thread. However, for better or worse, as far as my brain is concerned, threads evolve, often down obscure tangents - and the messages I've posted on this (fourth) page have been direct responses to other posts made on this page, without any thought of how the thread started 4 pages ago.

You are obviously right in saying that no DIYer untertaking a one-off minor alteration is going to buy, and learn to use and understand, specialist test kit. However, unless you want to simply tell them all 'not to do it', such posters here are somewhat between a rock in a hard place - since someone is almost bound to pop up and ask them 'how they are going to test' after their minor work - which is essentially how these (unrealistic) tangential discussions about test kit usually arise!

Kind Regards, John.

 

[Electrifying]

Whatever work the 'DIYer does - regardless of notification requirements - would need testing in accordance with BS7671.

If the OP was to proceed with the other work that he mentioned in this thread (i.e. extending the RFC further), then it would require extensive testing.

IMO He has 3 choices.

1/ He hires/buys the test equipment that he will require and learns how to use it.

2/ He does the work and pays an electrician to Inspect and Test it for him.

3/ He doesn't do the work - he pays an electrician to do it for him.

There's no in-between - if the work is done it needs testing for safety.....end of.

So, OP, take your pick.

This, in my opinion, applies to ANY DIY work.